Netgear Cable/DSL Router for Stand-Alone Home Network?

[Kov-Ice]

This Netgear 4-port 10/100 Cable/DSL Router (RP614NA) is on sale at BestBuy for $20 after rebates. I do not have any high-speed internet, but could I use this to network two desktops (currently networked via crossover cable) and a laptop together simply for file sharing and printing? Won't it double as just an Ethernet switch? Thx.

[glc]

Sure - it will even assign your IP addresses for you.

[Kov-Ice]

I'll have to buy all new cables tho right, since the crossover cable I'm currently using won't double as a standard CAT5 cable, will it?

[HAL9000]

Right.. you won't be able to use the crossover.

[bailey]

Originally posted by Kov-Ice I'll have to buy all new cables tho right, since the crossover cable I'm currently using won't double as a standard CAT5 cable, will it?

or you could just replace one end connector of the cable and make it a stright through cable

[Kov-Ice]

Not sure what you mean, bails.

[bailey]

the end connectors on the ends of the cat-5 cable is a rj45 connector, it has 8 wires connected to them and the wires are color coded, with a crossover cable the green and orange pairs of wired is reversed, in a stright through cable both ends are wired the same, its a very simple matter to just replace one end so it matches the other end,
you just need a crimper and asome rj45 connectors and you can make all your own cables, crimper and connectors can be had at any home depo, lows, and radio shack store.

[lil Jimmie]

In case you want to make your own
http://www.lanshack.com/make-cat5E.asp

[Kov-Ice]

Good link. I've seen the spools of cable and packs of connectors at Home Depot. I've installed jacks and replaced ends on telephone wire several times before, so it's probably not much different, eh? I'm guessing cheaper than buying pre-made length, too, as I can cut to length as needed.

[glc]

Yes, you can use the crossover if the router has an uplink port. Don't put it in the WAN port though, that's for a broadband modem.

[Kov-Ice]

It just has the Internet port from the modem and then the four LAN ports, so I guess the only way to use that crossover cable would be to switch one of the ends as per bailey, right?

The directions are totally geared for setting up a broadband modem connection on one comp first, then adding other comps later. Since I don't have that (I'm intending to use dial-up on each of mine), do I still select Obtain IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automaticallly in the TCP/IP properties of my XP systems?

[AlwaysUp]

If you're interested I have a Linksys BEFSR41 ver.2 router and a BEFCMU10 ver2 cable modem that I'd let go of for $20 each plus shipping. All have original documentation, install disks and even the original retail boxes. In the case of the cable modem, it has never been opened. Sorry mods for the offer here, I know it should be in the trading post.

[glc]

I just downloaded the manual - that router has no uplink port or switchable port - looks like you gotta have a straight cable, period.