Hello there: Some friends and I decided to see if a small lan party would be possible (Probably less than 8 computers is my guess). We've been trying to work out the logistics of it, having never had one before. I've looked some stuff up before, but I need some judgement calls:
1) Hubs versus switches: I supposed a hub with 8 ports would be sufficient, but I heard switches were universally better (maybe it was referring to only large parties, where switches are needed to handle it all). Could you give advice on this?
2) Would you say that any modern day computer would have a Network card?
3) As far as games, we mainly have steam stuff on mind, League of Legends, MineCraft (Is that possible?) and UT3.
Any suggestions?
a switch is infinitely better than a hub and all modern PC's that aren't tablets have a NIC
Get a router (you probably already have one, it's enough if it's one of those cable/ADSL-modem + router combinations.
Take an Ethernet cable, plug it into any port on the switch, and (most likely) any port on the router.
Then plug in all the computers into the switch. Done. All computers now have Internet-connectivity and LAN-connectivity.
Basically every single machine nowadays has a network card, it's usually integrated into the motherboard, just plug in your Ethernet cable there, plug the other end to the switch and done.
If you're going to be playing online with everyone on at once, I'd make sure your connection can handle it.
But something like League of Legends, Minecraft and UT3 should handle fine if you have like 0.5/1mbps upload.
I'd be surprised if you could actually find a hub nowadays, switches have completely replaced hubs.
[QUOTE=nikomo;30504403]Get a router (you probably already have one, it's enough if it's one of those cable/ADSL-modem + router combinations.
Take an Ethernet cable, plug it into any port on the switch, and (most likely) any port on the router.
Then plug in all the computers into the switch. Done. All computers now have Internet-connectivity and LAN-connectivity.
Basically every single machine nowadays has a network card, it's usually integrated into the motherboard, just plug in your Ethernet cable there, plug the other end to the switch and done.
If you're going to be playing online with everyone on at once, I'd make sure your connection can handle it.
But something like League of Legends, Minecraft and UT3 should handle fine if you have like 0.5/1mbps upload.
I'd be surprised if you could actually find a hub nowadays, switches have completely replaced hubs.[/QUOTE]
Very much useful, thank you kind sir.
The internet can be a surprisingly misleading source, considering a lot of information is outdated.
I didn't know it was that easy to get internet as well on it. We're most likely doing this at a friends house, but if we have it at my house, you'd say this would work: My router is on 2nd floor. We hardwired the basement with a 50 footish cable. Plug switch in that cable in basement, plug in PCs, good? No need to screw with Home group stuff? Sweet if so.
However, if I could ask one more thing: Searches only lead me to $500+ business related switches. Is there anything reasonably good/cheap for lan gamers? I don't know what to look for in terms of magnitude.
[QUOTE=DoctorSalt;30505731]However, if I could ask one more thing: Searches only lead me to $500+ business related switches. Is there anything for lan gamers on Newegg or something?[/QUOTE]
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=30&name=Switches[/url]
Update: This switch seems the best so far
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833156251[/url]
I'll keep looking though.
Yeah that 50-foot cable setup will work just fine, unless one of you happens to be walking around with massive blades attached to their feet and accidentally walk over the cable.
That switch is a bit expensive, in my mind, for what you guys are doing.
I would just go with this:
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833425007[/url]
Though, the one you linked supports 1Gbps, so if your router supports 1Gbps, the network cards you guys have are reasonably modern and you want to transfer stupid amounts of data over the network, then the one you picked would be nice.
Would also be a bit more future-proof, 100Mbps isn't dead yet, but I see a bleak future ahead for it since almost everything supports 1Gbps nowadays.
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122111[/url]
Best switch around. Just picked one up this week to wire up the Ethernet through out the house.
It is definitely worth it if you want a reliable and sturdy piece of machine.
All the ports are metal as is the outer structure.
45$ with mail in rebate
[QUOTE=mr fist;30510362][url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122111[/url]
Best switch around. Just picked one up this week to wire up the Ethernet through out the house.
It is definitely worth it if you want a reliable and sturdy piece of machine.
All the ports are metal as is the outer structure.
45$ with mail in rebate[/QUOTE]
The reviews seemed a lil mixed. From my impression, the mail rebate is a lil sketchy, some units didn't last that long and there were some over heating issues. Did you notice this?
I have like 10 of these. They're great. Never had one problem.
the cheapest one will work, or just go to a thrift store and pick one up. My goodwill always has at least 5 switches.
[QUOTE=Shadaez;30531923]the cheapest one will work, or just go to a thrift store and pick one up. My goodwill always has at least 5 switches.[/QUOTE]
Make sure you get at least a 10/100 if you get just a 10 it will be useless.
Hey,
Minecraft is possible if one of you is online (i think)
Also, are you literally meaning computers? if you are using laptops, then you could just use a Wi-Fi connection.
Try thinkgeek.com for a hub or switch.
they have all sorts of coool stuff
[QUOTE=Moehtr_Gerfawr;30532312]Hey,
Minecraft is possible if one of you is online (i think)
Also, are you literally meaning computers? if you are using laptops, then you could just use a Wi-Fi connection.
Try thinkgeek.com for a hub or switch.
they have all sorts of coool stuff[/QUOTE]
1. They all need to be online for Minecraft, that's how Minecraft authenticates that they own the game.
2. A laptop is a computer.
3. Thinkgeek is probably the worst fucking place ever for network equipment. That's like telling someone that they should check out Newegg when they need new golf clubs.
I think it's about half and half computers to laptops, and we do have wifi. However, being two floors away, and the fact our house is apparently made of lead, the connection sucks.
One of my friends went ahead and got this:
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320047[/url]
Whatcha think?
[QUOTE=nikomo;30532401]3. Thinkgeek is probably the worst fucking place ever for network equipment. That's like telling someone that they should check out Newegg when they need new golf clubs.[/QUOTE]
I bought myself a tardis drink cooler/USB hub :D
its pretty cool. never sue it, but it's cool.
Never been to newegg. imma check it out
[editline]18th June 2011[/editline]
DoctorSalt..
Tried just bridging? a while back when i did lan - i'd have my laptop, bridging the connection to my pc and 3 other laptops, which also are connected to more pc's.
since then, i have only 2 pc's, so laptops connect to each other via bridged Wi-Fi and local area connection from laptops to pc's.
^ I would, but the wireless only truly connects on the 1st/2nd floor, and our extender died (bringing us to this conclusion :] )
On the plus side, the basement IS hardwired.
Have a garage or a shed?
currently cleaning out mine.. soon to be filled with couches, Tv's, Pc's, Laptops and all other stuff. already have a fridge..
Oh yeah, and Locks. lots of locks.
Someone's been scoping our house :(
[QUOTE=DoctorSalt;30519315]The reviews seemed a lil mixed. From my impression, the mail rebate is a lil sketchy, some units didn't last that long and there were some over heating issues. Did you notice this?[/QUOTE]
Nope none. It is a soild piece of networking you won't find better for the price.
[QUOTE=mr fist;30532937]Nope none. It is a soild piece of networking you won't find better for the price.[/QUOTE]
I can agree with this. I have the 4 port version and it is rock solid also you can check craigslist for a large switch you would surprised what you might find.
Minecraft will work like this: If they all have their own copies and .Minecraft folders already, then they can chose to play offline at start, however, it doesn't disable the multiplayer part, so get a machine, run the server, figure out the Local IP of the "server" and type it in. Boom, LAN'd Minecraft.
That's what we did in school, so I know it works.
[QUOTE=Dr. Deeps;30568694]Minecraft will work like this: If they all have their own copies and .Minecraft folders already, then they can chose to play offline at start, however, it doesn't disable the multiplayer part, so get a machine, run the server, figure out the Local IP of the "server" and type it in. Boom, LAN'd Minecraft.
That's what we did in school, so I know it works.[/QUOTE]
This. Just have everyone running on the LAN and type for the IP either localhost or 192.168.1.101 (or your equivalent) and it should work.
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