Can I connect a wireless router to an existing 8 port switch?

[Eric]

I have to do work in a doctor's office. He has DSL going to an 8 port Netgear
switch. All switches are being used. He needs to share a printer with 3
computers. He doesn't mind wired or wireless but since all ports on the
switch are being used, then we are leaning towards wireless but don't know
how to do that since we don't have a wireless router, becuase it's wired.
Someone please help. Thank you.

 

[smlunatick]

I have to do work in a doctor's office. He has DSL going to an 8 port Netgear
switch. All switches are being used. He needs to share a printer with 3
computers. He doesn't mind wired or wireless but since all ports on the
switch are being used, then we are leaning towards wireless but don't know
how to do that since we don't have a wireless router, becuase it's wired.
Someone please help. Thank you.

Yes you can. This is commonly known as "daisy-chaining" and is used
to add any ports to any switch / hub. You will need \

1) Router
2) Ethernet cable (Straight thorough)
3) Cross-over Ethernet cable (possibility)
4) Disconnect one cable off the switch and move it to the "switch"
part of the router.
5) Use Ethernet cable ro "link" router to switch. If needed, change
the straigh-thorough Ethernet cable with cross-over cable
6) Disconnect DSL access from switch and connect it to WAN port on the
router.
7) Access the router's internal web pages and configure it for the
control of the Internet access.

This will probably result in lower Internet access costs. Because the
DSL is connected to a switch, each PC would possibly be getting an IP
address from the Internet service. Tjis way, one IP is needed.

 

[SteveL]

If all ports are being used then you will need to purchase another switch and
daisy chain it. Wireless routers are OK but you will still need CAD5 cables
to connect to the PC's if they do not have a wireless card built in. Con
about wireless you open up your security if you do not know how to setup the
security on it, anyone with a wireless card on their laptop can gain access
to the network.

 

[Nih]

For less than the cost of a wireless router (which you would need) you can
just go buy an inexpensive 8 port switch and connect it to the current
switch. You won't have any configuration to do other than plug it in and you
will get your extra 3 ports plus some extra if needed later and you don't
open yourself up to the security risk of wireless, especially if you have
patient records on the network.