Is There a Fundamental Limit to the Amount of Users on a Router?

[LoC]

My mother's household currently uses a Linksys BEFSR41 (http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satel...3307722279B01). It has four Ethernet jacks but it seems only two will work at a time. I have updated firmware and perused the settings; I have power cycled multiple times. Occasionally, a reset of the internet box seems to remedy the issue but it incessantly plagues our network! and cannot understand why it is having trouble connecting 3 or more connections simultaneously.

[ktkendall]

You should be able to use all the connected computers simultaneously. What are the exact symptoms of the #3 PC when it is experiencing problems. Is it one particular PC? Do you get a link light and a valid IP address on all PC's all the time? Has this always been the case? What type of internet connection are you using?

[LoC]

Well it is actually specific ports: 3 and 4. There are two computers an an Xbox 360, which is subsequently on port #4. Comcast cable and the PCs are usually fine (I have mine on static).

[ktkendall]

OK, so to pinpoint the symptoms down a little better, are you saying simply that anything connected to ports 3 and 4 do not see the network at all?

[LoC]

Yes, exactly. Or if I turn off the router (unplug) then replug it may work or may not.

[ktkendall]

How old is that BESFR41 Router? Has it always had this problem? If you change out your PC for instance to port 3 or 4 then I assume it quits working as far as seeing the network??? Do you get a link light on those ports?? Starting to sound like the router is becoming defective and may need replaced, or you could buy a little Ethernet switch and just hook that to port 1 or 2 and abandon ports 3 and 4 and hook your other devices to the new ports provided by the switch. That is assuming the router is still performing it's router functions well.

[bailey]

as to answere the question as stated in your title:

a router is just that, a router, routers aften have a built in 4 port switch.

the last port usally is confiqured as a uplink port to feed another multi-port switch.
this connectivity with the added switches can support up to the maxium number of IP addresses avaiable, which meant that you could connect up to 254 computers to the one router, that would be the maxium.

[ktkendall]

Those little Linksys routers do not make any of the switch ports an uplink port, at least the BESFR41 does not. All 4 ports should just work as normal.

[LoC]

The thing is, I mess with it a lot but the problem is never fully solved. I think there may be something physically wrong with the router.

[bailey]

I don't remember the exact model number right now, but I did have several linksys routers of the same model number, also version 2 or version 4 that went bad after one or two years of use, there was a problem with them doing weared things before total failure.

you may need to replace the router.

if glc reads this post, he may remember the model that had the problem, as it was very common.

all switches have a up-link port, although it may not be marked as such, sence the router automatically detects if it is connected to another switch.

[LoC]

Originally Posted by bailey I don't remember the exact model number right now, but I did have several linksys routers of the same model number, also version 2 or version 4 that went bad after one or two years of use, there was a problem with them doing weared things before total failure. you may need to replace the router. if glc reads this post, he may remember the model that had the problem, as it was very common. all switches have a up-link port, although it may not be marked as such, sence the router automatically detects if it is connected to another switch.

Bam! Yes this is a version 4 I believe and it is definitely over two years old. Is there a refund/warranty thing I should be aware of?

[bailey]

no, but a littel salt and pepper helps.

[mojo]

If the other ports are also acting up, it's probably time to replace that router since it is pretty darn old. If the problem is definitely isolated to ports 3 and 4 and you just need the ports to connect to, just buy one of the cheap switches here...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k=&srchInDesc=

and connect that to port 1 or 2 of the router and you'll have plenty of ports.

[glc]

The BEFSR41 version 4 is fine. It's the BEFW11S4 version 4 wireless router that was a turd. If you are experiencing dead ports, the router is on its way out.