[QUOTE]We do wonder, in our profound ignorance of network-stuff, whether it would not be possible to simple direct-connect via cable (perhaps cross-cable, of which we possess an exemplar), obviating the need for the switch and its attendant power cable and "where do I put this"-ness.[/QUOTE]It wouldn't hurt the computer to try.

The switch will come in handy once you start buying more boxes.

:cat:

[QUOTE=Xyzzy;320902]It wouldn't hurt the computer to try.

The switch will come in handy once you start buying more boxes.

:cat:[/QUOTE]

more boxes... ...from Newegg etc? :cat:

[QUOTE=kracker;320906]more boxes... ...from Newegg etc? :cat:[/QUOTE]

We suspect Xyzzy may be subtly hinting "if you liked the first one, I've got 2 more for you consideration..." :P

For my simple setup, the direct connect via ethernet-crossover-cable works - lots less cabling already, one less device sucking watts from the power strip. We will keep the switch in case our farm expands, although we would consider exchanging it for a 10' crossover (ours is leftover from a long-ago DSL setup, only 3-4 feet long) if someone offers us one in a swap. (We see a 10' crossover cable for $6 on amazon.com, which is more than postage to send the compact switch to contiguous US would be, thus we could claim huge cost savings, or something).

----------------------------

I still would like to get a mini-UPS to safeguard the system for the < 5 min power glitches which constitute over 90% of our power issues in my area. Was looking at something [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842102116]like this[/url] in terms of capacity and price, but does anyone know of ones designed to go into a tower-case storage bay and hook into the tower's power connects? I don't want yet another standalone cabled device cluttering my space, if I can avoid it.

Also, recommendations on UPS wattage? Would a 255W be enough for this barebones system, or better to be safe and get something in the 300-350W range?

If you have gigabit Ethernet adapters on both ends, you don't need a crossover cable. Auto-crossover is built into the standard. Anyway, if you have a longer (Cat 5 or higher) cable around, give it a try; it will either work or not, but won't hurt anything aside from not working.

[QUOTE=ewmayer;320925]We suspect Xyzzy may be subtly hinting "if you liked the first one, I've got 2 more for you consideration..." :P

For my simple setup, the direct connect via ethernet-crossover-cable works - lots less cabling already, one less device sucking watts from the power strip. We will keep the switch in case our farm expands, although we would consider exchanging it for a 10' crossover (ours is leftover from a long-ago DSL setup, only 3-4 feet long) if someone offers us one in a swap. (We see a 10' crossover cable for $6 on amazon.com, which is more than postage to send the compact switch to contiguous US would be, thus we could claim huge cost savings, or something).[/QUOTE]

We think that too many dealings with Xyzzy (:bow:) lead to the propensity to replace the first person singular personal pronoun with that of the plural. (Resistance is futile.)

:mike:

[QUOTE=Dubslow;320927]We think that too many dealings with Xyzzy (:max:) lead to the propensity to replace the first person singular personal pronoun with that of the plural. (Resistance is futile.)

:mike:[/QUOTE]

We agree.:tu:

[QUOTE=sdbardwick;320926]If you have gigabit Ethernet adapters on both ends, you don't need a crossover cable. Auto-crossover is built into the standard.[/QUOTE]
This we wanna say too. We use normal cables here to connect gigabit mobos without switches/hubs in between. Also, there's no big deal to [URL="https://www.google.co.th/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=GxW&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&q=rj45+wiring+diagram&revid=1271883270&sa=X&ei=6rHCUL_MG8rIrQff2oEo&ved=0CE8QgxY&biw=1283&bih=714"]cross a cable[/URL] by yourself (well, we have [URL="https://www.google.co.th/search?q=rj45+crimper&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=lFC&tbo=u&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=YrHCUPiCDs6zrAej4YDgAg&ved=0CEUQsAQ&biw=1283&bih=714"]the toy[/URL], but that is only necessary if you want your work to look pretty).

For a UPS, we prefer APC. The smallest one will do fine for short outages up to five minutes.

[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842101349[/url]

That one is 450VA. There is a cheaper one that is 350VA for a few dollars less. We have several of each and they just work.

[QUOTE=Xyzzy;320940]For a UPS, we prefer APC. The smallest one will do fine for short outages up to five minutes.[/QUOTE]

Know of anything like this that will integrate into a standard tower case or plug directly into a standard (single or dual) 3-prong outlet? I really want to avoid yet another cable snaking around.

[QUOTE]Know of anything like this that will integrate into a standard tower case or plug directly into a standard (single or dual) 3-prong outlet?[/QUOTE]Not that we can think of. We have "wire OCD" as well, so we can sympathize with your plight.

Maybe wire in a giant capacitor like they use on air conditioning units? (We got buzzed by one of those once. Apparently they need to be discharged before you replace them. Lesson learned!)

:max:

[QUOTE=Stargate38;320376]What on Earth's causing the other (58.19945232926974458...%) of the total deaths?![/QUOTE]
- infant mortality
- old age
- complications from being sick in old age
- hospital-borne complications from being sick in old age

It would be neat to look at how the numbers change when leaving the more-developed countries, though IIRC infant mortality is surprisingly high in the US