Wireless router with >4 ports?

Hi,

My old Zyxel router seems to have just died (or at least the wireless part of it has), so I'm looking to buy a new router.

I already use all four of my CAT5 LAN ports, and could really do with a router with more LAN ports, however they don't seem to exist ??

I've checked the product info on Linksys, D-Link and Netgear's websites, and ALL their routers have just 4 ports.

Does anyone know of any wireless routers with more than 4 LAN ports?

Surely I can't be the only person who wants more than four wired connections?

Thanks in advance for any tips.

They do exist!

A quck Google search brought this one up for example

Netgear Prosafe FVG318

If you really want to have all LAN ports in one device I'd suggest that you look at the small business options from the router manufacturers rather than the home options.

An alternative (and may work out cheaper) is to get a 4 port wireless router similar to what you have and connect a 4/8 port switch to it for your other LAN connections.

Router alone or complete front end with modem, router and WAP? The one IanBB links to does NOT have an ADSL interface.

Going to 8 ports takes more space and manufacturers try to keep units as small as possible. It will also take additional processing power and that will push power consumption and price up too. Devices with greater than 4 ports do exist but tend to be business grade with prices to match.

My suggestion would be to buy a small 8/12/16 port switch, a good quality modem/router without a WAP and a seperate WAP.

Incoming line goes into the new modem/router, that manages the interface and has the DHCP server running. AN output from the router feeds the switch which routes all of the traffic around (the job it is designed to do) and on one port the WAP is connected and placed for optimum coverage rather than located where the router is although you could have a router with an internal WAP but it is not as flexible.

Have a look at the link in the PM I have sent you.

In reply to a post by lorrainp:

Hi,

My old Zyxel router seems to have just died (or at least the wireless part of it has), so I'm looking to buy a new router.

I already use all four of my CAT5 LAN ports, and could really do with a router with more LAN ports, however they don't seem to exist ??

I've checked the product info on Linksys, D-Link and Netgear's websites, and ALL their routers have just 4 ports.

Does anyone know of any wireless routers with more than 4 LAN ports?

Surely I can't be the only person who wants more than four wired connections?

Thanks in advance for any tips.

Hi, connect a switch, you can have as many ports as you like.

http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item...

http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item...

Brilliant, thanks for the replies guys, and for the PM.

Sorry, I didn't explain the requirement fully. I have a Virgin cable connection, with a Virgin-supplied modem, which connects via Ethernet cable to my existing Zyxel device (router / wifi / 4-port switch).

I'd like to replicate that with a new / better replacement for the Zyxel, but with more ports.

I was hoping to keep it tidy by having everything in one device, but I guess it'll have to be:

- Existing VM modem;
- New good quality 4-port router (I'll certainly get one with wifi, and probably (at least to begin with) use this as my WAP - might get a separate WAP device at a later date when I move to a bigger house);
- Separate cheap & cheerful 5-port or 8-port switch like the HP ones E7er suggested.

Any recommendations for the router? I'm planning to go for an 802.11n device from either Linksys, D-Link or Netgear, but haven't researched the best options yet.

the two switches listed are only, 100Mbit - a Gigabit switch would be a better investment. Cisco's Linksys and Small Business ranges are worth looking at.

http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item...

In reply to a post by MHC:

the two switches listed are only, 100Mbit - a Gigabit switch would be a better investment. Cisco's Linksys and Small Business ranges are worth looking at.

http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item...

Hi MHC, HP/3Com manufacture Gigabit 5 or 8 port switches, the 8 port must be higher spec, I see it has 1.5 MB of RAM installed, it must be to speed up the network.

http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item...

http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item...

The 8-port looks OK - just that I am non a fan of HP/Compaq and prefer Linksys at the entry level.

I presume you agree that Gigabit is the way to go rather than 100Mbit.

In reply to a post by MHC:

Have a look at the link in the PM I have sent you.

Why send a PM to the OP when the information may be useful for others asking the same question?