Good 5+ port Router recommendations?

I agree with ElectricSheep. That's what I did when I needed to expand the network.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Metal Sphere

Really? So I should get her computer a wireless card? The only problem I have with this is that the router has a real problem with maintaining a reliable wireless signal (or maybe it's just my sister's laptop).

Is this to be expected from wireless routers, or is it out of the norm?

It depends on what is in wbetween your router and the PC in question. Some things seem to interfere with the signal pretty effectively. You can also increase your range by replacing the default antenna with a better one, in some cases.

I don't quite know how we got to wireless, though. Weren't we talking about a switch? A switch is quite simply the easiest way to expand your network topography, if you've run out of ports.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Metal Sphere

Oh, it's because I have no idea what a switch is. Is it essentially a router? Or does it connect to the former, and simply add more available ports?

Without getting technical on you, yeah... it's like a much more basic version of a router. Connect one port on your switch to one port on your router, and you can then plug whatever networkable device you like into the remaining ports on the switch.

For example, I have a router with an integrated four-port switch, and I also have a second four-port switch elsewhere in the house. With one port on each device being used to connect to each other, this setup gives me a total of six available ports.

A perfectly decent switch should only set you back about half the cost of a router, or even less. It's much more cost effective than buying a router with more ports.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.