switch or more ethernet cable?

[Underage_Thinker]

ok here is my current situation.
I have a router( D-Link DGL-4300) in one room, and then in another a computer and a xbox. I currently have two 50ft cables spliced together that connect the router, through my attic, to the computer, (if you look at my attachment i have a simple diagram of my setup as it is now). What i want to do is wire the xbox for internet in the same room as that computer, and currently i am considering two options to accomplish this goal.

1.)Place a switch( im looking at a D-Link DGS-2208 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127082)) in the room with the computer and xbox, then i would connect the 50+50ft cable to that. Then i would connect both the xbox and the computer to that switch. My only concerns with this setup is that currently my nat in regards to torrenting, port forwarding, playing computer games, and playing xbox may be disrupted by adding the switch( i really like how my d-link router works so well in all these areas w/o having to forward any ports)

2.) Buy a 100ft ethernet cable, and then run it from my router to my xbox through the first rout as my 50+50ft cable.

Which option do you guys think is best, i am leaning towards #1 b/c i would like to have a switch in my room, but i am also wondering if i would still be able to torrent/play games without having to forward any ports, and if not how difficult it would be to port forward through the router and switch.

Thanks for reading, i appreciate your responseshttp://www.overclock.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

p.s sorry for the long leanth, its just that when i ask a question i like to be descriptive so those answering know exactly what i am talking about.

[Bryan B]

Buy a 100ft ethernet cable

I think that is good option

[Blahages]

Go for Option 1. It's more practical, and I'll tell you why.

If you go for option 2, You're going to be spending a LOT of money. 50FT CAT5 Cables are like 40 bucks. So, if you found a 100FT, it'd probably be twice that.

If you get a Switch, which is only 44$ for the one you've found, you throw that in your room with the computer, and get like two like 10-15FT cables, or whatever for a couple bucks, and you're set. Then, you have more ports open still for possible later use.

Most Switches are Passive. Which means that they're basically like taking a network cable, and splicing it into like 2 cables, almost. It's not going to interfere with it. Most switches also don't have any configuration. You just set your config on your Router, and you're done.

Your network will work EXACTLY the same as it does right now after you add the switch, you'll just have more than 1 port available in the room with the computer.

[george]

From what i can see no matter what, you will have to buy another ethernet cord unless you already have one? But I'd go with 1 because it has more options seeing as how it has 8 ports :O freakin cheap as hell too.