network question

[iamblueboy]

As of now i'm using laptop to access internet via a wireless hot-spot, connected is nanosat which is shared with crossover cable.
I have another desktop and 6 port ethernet switch in another part of the house,which used to be on dsl :grr::no:
Can I run the switch after the laptop and just use straight cat5's to the desktop and nano or do I need a router?
Thanks for advice
iabb

[Terryl]

You would need a router to keep things from getting all confused, the laptop can feed the router, it will go from your WIFI adapter to the laptops NIC then to the router WAN port, then you wont have problems with IP addresses conflicting and other fun stuff that the router takes care of.

I can be done without a router if you assign all the IP addresses and DNS addresses your self, but it can be a big pain in the backside.

[Pollypurabred]

I believe you could also use that same router but connect it to your desktop, cable your nanosat and then connect your desktop router to the same Wifi hotspot that your laptop is now using. That would keep them sort of separated from each other.

[sump]

As of now i'm using laptop to access internet via a wireless hot-spot, connected is nanosat which is shared with crossover cable.
I have another desktop and 6 port ethernet switch in another part of the house,which used to be on dsl :grr::no:
Can I run the switch after the laptop and just use straight cat5's to the desktop and nano or do I need a router?
Thanks for advice
iabb

teh "switch" you speak of is the old ALL in ONE .. router /switch used for connecting to the DSL ???