Network switch question

[desertman]

I have my wireless router underneath my desk, about two feet away from my body, and that for at least eight hours a day. Although I'm in general not in the "Anti Electromagnetic Radiation" cult I do sometimes think that it might be a good idea to move the router to a different place about twelve fee away from my body. (The router has the usual four LAN ports and I often would like to have more.)

If I really wanted to move the router would the right way to do this to get a switch and then have one cable running from the router to my desk and everything connected to the switch? Would the switch organize all the network traffic for i. e. several printers and several computers?

If that is so, would a switch like the one from the link below be good enough for the task?

TP-Link 8-Port Fast Ethernet Desktop Switch: https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-5-Po...499972957&sr=1-3&keywords=network+switch&th=1

Thanks for your input!

 

[belvdr]

A standard switch will work for your needs. I would recommend a gigabit switch though.

Ive used Netgear switches for years without issues. One example is:

https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-8-Port-Gigabit-Ethernet-Switch/dp/B00KFD0SYK

 

[desertman]

Thanks. In real life, how would a gigabit switch make a real difference? I'm using my network all alone, and I'm not moving data from one computer to another.

As I see it, the only thing that could be interesting here is the fact that I provide remote computer support with TeamViewer and Splashtop SOS (a great TeamViewer alternative for a fraction of the cost). However, my Internet service has anyway only 50 Mbit download speed and therefore I wonder whether a 100 Mbit switch would not be good enough. I always wondered why people are so keen about router and (local) network speeds when their Internet speed is lower than100 Mbit.

Can you possibly explain this to me in a way that makes me understand why a faster switch would be better for me?

 

[SoggyCheese]

A faster switch would massively cut down your backup times to a NAS or Time Capsule. Even if your normal usage doesn't go over 100Mbps you'll find advantages going up to the higher speed, plus of course it's more future proof.

 

[desertman]

A faster switch would massively cut down your backup times to a NAS or Time Capsule.

That is certainly a good point to consider ...

Even if your normal usage doesn't go over 100Mbps you'll find advantages going up to the higher speed,

... while this is for me a little too unspecific. But I might decide to dish out an additional $10 for a gigabit switch (as painful as it is).

 

[SoggyCheese]

... while this is for me a little too unspecific. But I might decide to dish out an additional $10 for a gigabit switch (as painful as it is).

Basically anything with bulk data transfer will benefit, for example Migration Assistant when you buy a new Mac. That sort of thing, where you might not use it often but you'll thank yourself for having thought ahead when you do. For $10 difference I'd definitely go for the faster standard.

 

[chrfr]

Thanks. In real life, how would a gigabit switch make a real difference? I'm using my network all alone, and I'm not moving data from one computer to another.

Gigabit ethernet is pretty much standard. At about $25 or less for an 8-port gigabit switch, there's not much you'll find that's less expensive.