19 ethernet wall jacks. what hardware?

[Applellial]

I would like to install 19 ethernet wall jacks in my house in various rooms and over 2 floors (i don't like wireless) all converging in a single internet connection. There could be as many as 5 or 6 computers connected at the same time. is there a router which has 19 ports? I heard about something called a switch wich supposedly is cheaper than a router but I am worried about the dreaded "this ip address is in use" messages when connecting more than one Mac at a time. What would be the easiest way to hook up that many jacks? thanks much in advance.

[AnonCrow]

Exactly 19 ports ? Not likely. An abundance of 24-port switches and plenty of 20-port ones.
Might consider using a two or three 8/12/16-port routers , both connected to your DSL (or the 4-port switch you already have); depends on if you want an easily set-up internal network, or are happy doing any computer-2-computer networking via the internet rather than via the router.

Using ethernet over power adapters would be easier, but with that many connections (either many adapters or a 4 port router needed in most rooms) , not necessarily cheaper.

With that many concurrent connections needed, using NAT is pretty much a given.

[laserfan]

I would like to install 19 ethernet wall jacks
You need first a 24-port switch; and I strongly recommend a Gigabit switch e.g. DLink DGS-1024D is a nice one. While you're pulling wire, use CAT6 instead of garden-variety CAT5E.

Then you need a Router which connects to the Internet (has a WAN port) and connect it to your gigabit switch using a LAN connection. So you have 19 connections to the Gigabit switch, and a 20th connected to your Router, and you're golden.

As you'll want/need to move files between your connected home PCs, you'll be glad you went gigabit (though you may have to upgrade the LAN hardware on some of your PCs er I mean Macs)!

[ramicio]

For wall wiring you will want solid wiring rather than stranded, and shielded.

[Stereodude]

You don't want shielding cabling. It needs special shielded keystones / patch panels to work properly. You want solid in wall rated cable. Use a router + a 24 port gigabit switch.

[ramicio]

Yea, OK, because having a shield is going to introduce noise without grounds tied together...rolling me eyes. This isn't CATV or stereo..there is no defined source end. Those metal-shielded jacks and plugs are for people who want to be the most anal they can be.