Adding an extra router or switch to my network

[Benm]

I have a Cat 5e jack, which connects to a router in another room, behind my home theater, which I currently use to hook up my HR20. I'm thinking about adding a Blu-ray player and Xbox 360 to my home theater. If I wanted to get some extra network ports, would I have to hook up that ethernet jack to a router or an unmanaged switch, so that I could get those extra ports?
Thanks

[jovac]

I would think just using a switch would be easiest. You would not have to worry about any of the routing stuff that way. Most switches are auto sensing so you don't have to mess with a crossover cab;le or anything like that.

[jtn]

The HR20 is just like a computer, so think of networking a new PC, adding a new one that is.

[Benm]

So I'll just need to connect a switch to the outlet, which will then go to the router. Will the Hr20 still be visible on my computers?

[jtn]

So I'll just need to connect a switch to the outlet, which will then go to the router. Will the Hr20 still be visible on my computers?

If you do it correctly it should be visible. You should be able to see you music on your HR20, make sure you have the latest firmware on the HR20 and on your routers, bridges too.

[tooloud10]

So it would be just like adding a switch to my router, and getting four extra ports. Will the Hr20 still be visible on my computers?

Sure, and this is exactly what I did to expand my home theater. I had one port, but I have a Slingbox, HR20, HD DVD player, and XBox 360 that all require/desire network access. I "daisy-chained" a cheap Linksys switch back there and everything worked fine right out of the box, "plug-and-play" style.

[phat78boy]

Usualy the switch will have one port that can be used as a normal/uplink. Connect the outlet to the uplink port and the HR20 to any other port on the switch. Your HR20 will act exactly as if it was plugged into the router itself.