Ok, here's my setup;

I have 10Mb Broadband, which i have plugged into a 10/100mb 5 port Linksys switch. This switch feeds two paths. The first is to my 54Mb Wireless Access Point - which two laptops connect wirelessly to. The second path is to my other 20 port switch upstairs. This facilitates my PC, Xbox360 & PS3.

Now, my problem is that i can never get more than 2 out of the 5 devices connected at any one time. I can have the 2 laptops connected wirelessly, no problem. Or my latop and the 360 connected. Or my pc and 360 etc etc (ye get the idea). If i want to connect a different device, i have to turn off&on the power to the routers/switches and then turn on the 2 devices i want to use, so they can get a valid ip address... instead of the usual 192.168.1.xx

When the other devices try to connect, they get a connection - but can't access the internet (or ping websites). I think it's something to do with DNS or DHCP - but i'm not too sure.

Any help would be much appreciated!!

Thanks.

It sounds like you're plugging your entire house directly into the broadband network, but your network provider is only allowing you to use two IP addresses at one time.

To allow all of the devices to use the network at the same time, you'll need a router to sit between your broadband network and your home network. From the description below, it sounds like you are using switches to extend the broadband network; you really need a router.

Is your wireless access point also a router? if so, you could plug your broadband into the WAN port of the wireless device, connect your switches to the other Ethernet ports, and have everyone on the network at the same time.

It's also much more secure to use a router to connect to your broadband network, since most home routers also include a firewall. I never recommend connecting directly to an unfiltered Internet connection.

To break this down further, let us know what manufacturer and model number of network devices you are using and I'll draw a picture of what you should do.

Thanks professor, looks like i have to buy a router - as this is my current setup;

UPC (10Mb Broadband)
¦
5-port switch-----Wireless Access Point (2 laptops connected)
¦
10-Port Switch-----PC
¦ ¦
¦ Xbox360
¦
---PS3


and it probably should be like this;


UPC (10Mb Broadband)
¦
Router(new)-----Wireless Access Point (2 laptops connected)
¦
5 Port Switch-----PC
¦ ¦
¦ Xbox360
¦
---PS3


Is this right? (thanks!)

P.S. My wireless box is just an access point. Thinking of buying this router

That's a good choice for a router, and there's nothing wrong with running the router and access point in separate devices. However, you might want to consider getting both an access point and router in a single device for only 5 euro more:

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=314078

A single device would minimize the amount of power requirements and would help with cable clutter. You could then extend your wireless access point upstairs using your 20-port switch.

Here's a rough sketch that uses a new router and your existing access point. I'm using all four ports on the back of the router:

UPC (10Mb Broadband)
|
Router(new)
| | | |
| | | |--- Wireless Access Point
| | |
| | |--- 5 Port Switch-----PC
| | |
| |--- Xbox360
| |
| --- PS3

Ye, i was going to buy the linksys with wireless - but i house my router in a steel box (don't worry, it has ventilation!) and i'm not sure if the wireless' broadcast would be affected.

There won't be any cable clutter anyway, because my house is fitted with a patch panel, which feeds into each room in the house - so i just decide the rooms i want to give a connection to.

I'll let you know how i get on, when i install the router tomorrow!