If you are connecting four or less computers, you’ll just need a single router, or one switch if you don’t need internet. If you’re connecting more than four computers, you’ll want a router and a switch, or just a switch if you don’t need internet.
You’ll need one Ethernet cable for each computer you want to connect to the LAN, as well as an Ethernet cable to connect the router to the switch (if applicable).
The easiest way to create a LAN where every computer has access to the internet is to use a router, and then add a network switch if the router doesn’t have enough ports. [1] X Expert Source Mitch HarrisConsumer Technology Expert Expert Interview. 16 July 2021. A router will automatically assign an IP address to every computer that is connected to it. Switches are similar to routers but do not automatically assign IP addresses. Switches typically have many more Ethernet ports than a router has.
You can skip this if you’re setting up a LAN without internet access. You don’t need a router at all to create a LAN, but it makes things easier. If you just use a network switch, you’ll need to manually assign IP addresses to each computer after connecting them.
Slim laptops may not have an Ethernet port, in which case you’ll need to either use a USB Ethernet adapter or connect wirelessly if your router allows it.
If you’re using a switch and no router, you’ll still need to assign IP addresses to each computer.
Think of an IP address as a mailing address. Each computer on the network needs a unique IP address so that information sent across the network reaches the correct destination.
