Im not sure exactly what a switch does, but I want to have my computer and xbox 360 connected to the internet, both in my room.

Currently I run an ethernet cable from a router in the living room to my computer. If i were to connect that ethernet cable to the switch, and then the switch to my xbox and pc, would it work?

Yes

Awesome. It does! Thanks!

No worries

when you put a switch onto a router.... do you have to do any configuration on the router, switch, or even the computers???? curious...

For basic networking nothing needs to be done. (usually)

Unmanaged switches are just like adding more lanes to a already existing highway.

A router will see the devices connected to a switch and automatically as if it was just plugged right into the switch. The great thing about a good switch is that it can be used as a network backbone without investing big bucks into a router that has enough ports to support the entire network.

For many years I used a WRT54G with a 5 port Switch. I've then upgraded my network as I need. Now I run a Dual WAN Hotbrick and a 24p Gig-E Netgear. (info in my bio if you need more) An I can add/remove Switches as I need. Most modems, be it Cable, DSL, etc... have a DHCP server built in. Most of them will support the connection of a switch to them without further configuration.

For more advanced use when it comes to DSL I would suggest setting up the connection in bridged mode. That leaves the connection management to the Router, where you can better control your internet traffic, port traffic and networking. If your Cable modem supports WAN to LAN pass-through, or bridging I would suggest it too. NAT of a NAT can be funky, and it can cause networking headaches. But you have to use a router in this case, a basic switch won't cut it for these setups.

Well... after a couple weeks of using the switch, I noticed that my internet connection speed was A LOT slower, and if it wasn't REALLY slow it simply didn't work. Is there something I need to configure in order to get a good connection?

Give me more info

Model/version of
Router/modem & Switch

An I'll do some digging to see if there is anything special you should need to do.

Thanks man I appreciate it!

My router: Belkin Wireless G F5D7230-4
http://www.belkin.com/support/product/?lid=en&pid=F5D7230-...p;scid=221

My network workgroup switch: Linksys 10/100 5-port EZXS55W
http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/products/EZXS55W

Well, bad news appears there is nothing special you need to do.

I have a older version of that very same switch, its plug and go.

The Router has 4 ports Auto-detecting. Meaning if you plug in a client device, or another switch/hub it auto-detects what it needs to do with it.

Few questions:
Do you notice the slower speeds when the Xbox is active on the network?
Do you know if your having slower speeds when anyone else is using the connection?
The router is Wireless capable do you have wireless clients in the home, and or is your network secure so your neighbors can't steal your internet access?

Try the following to help narrow down where the problem might be:
With your PC connected through the switch do a set of 3 speed tests @ http://www.speedtest.net
Just use the suggested server, take an average of the 3 tests.
Now unplug your xbox from the switch
Run 3 tests again. - Any difference in the average? If it changes could be background downloads on the xbox.
If there is no difference try this next step:
Remove your router connection to the switch an bypass it going directly to the PC. do the 3 tests again and average it.
Did the test speeds improve at all or differ greatly?
If they improved a lot, it could possibly be the switch. You could try just unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back into the network and do the tests again.

If your tests are still slow, you can go directly to your Modem for your connection and test the speeds. If they are still slow, check with your ISP. If you have Cable, request that they check the signal strength and make sure something hasn't happened there.If you recently added any splitters to your coax lines that could be a problem. Splitting a line to many times reduces the signal strength and will have adverse affects on your cable Modems conection speeds. If its DSL an you have access to your modems interface they usually display what your modem is "Trained" at, or the speed at which its connecting. If the rate is low, there is a line issue and you should double check your connections in your home for filtering issues, or excessive splitters & connections. If that doesn't improve the connection verify with your phone Co that there is no issues with the Drop line to your home. ( I had a squirrel chew into mine last year. )

Hopefully one of those things will will figure out where the problem is.
Any questions let me know.

Edit:
After writing this I did a check on Newegg for your router. reviews complain about having to constantly reboot the router to keep it running smoothly. Make sure you have the latest firmware installed on it so if there is an issue that they fixed you have it taken care of.

Do you notice the slower speeds when the Xbox is active on the network?

I do. But even when it's not connected I get slower-than-normal speeds.

Do you know if your having slower speeds when anyone else is using the connection?

I didn't check/ask any of my family. They weren't complaining so I assumed not.

The router is Wireless capable do you have wireless clients in the home, and or is your network secure so your neighbors can't steal your internet access?

There are a total of 4 computers connected to my network, 2 wired, 2 wireless. We have a password secured WPA.

Yea when my computer is connected straight to the router it works great. When I connect it to the switch (even with the xbox powered off) I get a much slower internet connection that doesn't stay connected.

It's not a huge problem though. I don't use xbox live as much as I used to so for now I am connected straight to the router.

Thanks for the help