Using Wired and Wireless combined routers - any disadvantages?

The 5 computers I am setting up for a charity will be linked by cable
they are within a few feet of each other. To anticipate future
expansion I am planning to use a wireless router/modem with 4 ports.

Initially I will be without Internet access on one of them at any
particular time because of the 4 port limit - (am still thinking of 8
ports) but this is where the wireless option comes into consideration.

Is there any downside to using the wireless modem/router purely for a
wired set-up?

The future installation of PCs (in a remote rooms) will clearly expose
the limits of the wired arrangement but if I put in wireless PCs at a
distance will the wired arrangement function at the same level and
what is the numerical limit of wireless connections I can have (do
wireless router/modems have such limits)?

KM

On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 22:14:05 +0000, km <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Initially I will be without Internet access on one of them at any
>particular time because of the 4 port limit - (am still thinking of 8
>ports) but this is where the wireless option comes into consideration.

you could plug a cheap 4 or 8 port hub / switch into one of the 4
ports and provide N wired ports without issue.

>Is there any downside to using the wireless modem/router purely for a
>wired set-up?

beyond initial cost, no. I did that with a friend and we left the
wireless turned off.

NAT routers and wireless systems generally support 255 clients, but
check individual specs. 10 or 20 is unlikely to be an issue apart from
the resulting congestion or demand on the internet connection.

Phil
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Come on down !

On Thu, 24 Mar 2005 08:37:56 +0000, Phil Thompson
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 22:14:05 +0000, km <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>>Initially I will be without Internet access on one of them at any
>>particular time because of the 4 port limit - (am still thinking of 8
>>ports) but this is where the wireless option comes into consideration.
>
>you could plug a cheap 4 or 8 port hub / switch into one of the 4
>ports and provide N wired ports without issue.
>
>>Is there any downside to using the wireless modem/router purely for a
>>wired set-up?
>
>beyond initial cost, no. I did that with a friend and we left the
>wireless turned off.
>
>NAT routers and wireless systems generally support 255 clients, but
>check individual specs. 10 or 20 is unlikely to be an issue apart from
>the resulting congestion or demand on the internet connection.
>
>Phil

Thanks very much for your reply Phil. You can do doubt guess that this
is an activity I do not have too much experience in. The idea of
tagging on a switch to one of the ports is valuable and will probably
be what I will do.

KM

On Thu, 24 Mar 2005 13:26:03 +0000, km <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>The idea of
>tagging on a switch to one of the ports is valuable and will probably
>be what I will do.

you may need a crossover cable if the switch doesn't have an "uplink"
port for connection to another hub/switch, or it might autosense
which would mean a normal patch lead will suffice.

Phil
--
spamcop.net address commissioned 18/06/04
Come on down !

On Fri, 25 Mar 2005 08:32:33 +0000, Phil Thompson
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>On Thu, 24 Mar 2005 13:26:03 +0000, km <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>>The idea of
>>tagging on a switch to one of the ports is valuable and will probably
>>be what I will do.
>
>you may need a crossover cable if the switch doesn't have an "uplink"
>port for connection to another hub/switch, or it might autosense
>which would mean a normal patch lead will suffice.
>
>Phil

Much appreciated.

All advice gratefully received.

KM