

Your ISP is probably only granting your modem a single IP address for your Internet connection, and there is no way that your switch can let every computer share this address simultaneously. Why not just connect the switch right to your cable or DSL modem? Simply put, your switch is dumb.
#Set up a lan game with halomd free
Any system you then connect to any of the free ports on your switch or router will all live within the same network - in layman’s terms, a switch merely splits one of your router’s ports into however many connections the switch supports.Ī good network switch is key to pulling off a smooth LAN party weekend. You’ll use one of this device’s ports to connect it to your wireless router, which should itself be connected to your Internet-granting modem (DSL or cable) via its WAN port (which may be labeled “Internet” port, or something to that effect). Easy enough, right? You could always connect the systems wirelessly as well, but for the most consistent (and speediest) connections, it’s worth furnishing your LAN party guests with extra-long ethernet cables.įor larger LAN parties, you’ll want to get your hands on an appropriately-sized network switch. If your LAN is limited to four players (the perfect size for a Diablo III weekend), you might only have to plug all four systems into your wireless router. Now that you’ve prevented a power crisis, it’s time to get your computers connected. If you think you can just be lazy about where (and how) you plug in ethernet cables, surge protectors, and extension cords, you’re in for a surprise. A proper power setup and a reliable network should be items one and two on your to-do list if you want to throw the perfect LAN party.

LAN parties, by their nature, are hardware-dependent. Don’t forget to ask everyone to list their online handles and servers for the various MMOs or other online games they play, as well as their preferred Skype/instant messaging names there’s nothing worse than having to yell that stuff back and forth during a loud LAN party.
#Set up a lan game with halomd Pc
You should also ask everyone to list their system type (Desktop? Laptop? Liquid-cooled PC megalith?) and OS, which should help you map things out and get you thinking about potential troubleshooting for older operating systems. Plus, they’re free!īefore you send out the final details for your big LAN party, use a Google Form to survey your attendees about what games they own, what they want to play, and what they’re bringing. Google Forms are a fast and easy way to gather critical intel while planning your LAN party. You might even find yourself playing nothing but one-on-one Warcraft 3 matches in an 11-person room.

Some of your friends may be first-person shooter afficionados who fire up an online game of Team Fortress 2 and never leave others may broker deals and exact diplomacy via instant messaging clients running alongside Civilization 5. It doesn’t take long for LAN parties to become organized chaos.
