What steps are needed to organize a LAN party?
What steps are needed to organize a LAN party?
We were talking about the idea of doing a LAN party this summer. We've always wanted to and we'd love to.
Though, we have never done this at all, so I don't know too much about how this works.
I would like it to have a pure, wired connection rather than wireless. So I understand for that,
we would just need a Switch. And of course, the cables.
At the beginning it will probably just be the 4 of us playing, but later we wanted to have LAN party with a maximum total of 8 people. I've been looking online a little and I've been thinking of this switch.
https://www.amazon.com/Ethernet-Splitter...r=8-4&th=1
After some research, I hear CAT6 cables are the one to get. How long should the cables be?
I know we'll likely be using a folded desk. And a couple square desk added in or something as It's all else we got.
At first I thought 5 feet cables would be enough, but I wasn't completely sure how that would turn out.
Should I get 10 feet? How long works for you?
Though, I have a heard a little about the shorter the cable the faster the connection.
I'm not sure how true that is, but if that's the case I would like to be as minimum as I can get a away with.
Besides that, is there anything else specific I look for in a cable?
So far I was thinking of these.
https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-10-...631&sr=8-3
or these
https://www.amazon.com/Ethernet-Cable-Ne...741&sr=8-5
I don't mind if it's multicolored or one colored or anything like that. I just want the cheapest option that will work.
Finally, how do you actually set up. I understand some games have a LAN mode that does not need internet.
So lets assume were just doing that to begin with. So we just plug all the computers to the ports and that's it?
I've heard a little about entering IP's and stuff. I don't know anything at all about IP addresses and all that,
so if that's the case I need help knowing what to do with that while setting it up. What all do I have to do exactly
when I plug all the computers in (unless I have to do it before plugging it in)?
If it helps, most of these computers are desktops running Windows 10 Home.
The games we've been thinking of include:
Team Fortress 2
Doom (Chocolate Doom)
Doom Source Port (Zandronium)
Left 4 Dead 2
Sanctum
Carmageddon: Reincarnation
Unreal Tournament
Star Wars Battlefront 2 (OG)
Rocket League
Minecraft
So I heard that some games (like Sanctum) require online even for local LAN. For those cases, how to would we add internet to our LAN?
Just connect one of the Switch ports to the internet router through a CAT cable and that's it? Do we need to set it up, and how do you if so?
Also, little did I realize is that there is a WiFi extender plugged in to the wall, and it has an ethernet input in it.
If we plugged the switch into that instead, would we get internet just the same?
And finally, how does starting LAN game, in-game generally work? Is it the same as creating a match in any game?
Most of these games will be off of Steam. Again, whenever it's possible I want the LAN connection to be pure and offline.
Btw, in the past I've had a little experience having to port-forwarding for hosting games online (Chocolate Doom),
so I'm just wondering if Port-Forwarding will be necessary for any of these games even for a LAN network?
Thank you for your time. I'm excited to learn more about this, and to finally do it!!
Edit: Oh and one last thing, about power. Are there specific extension cords I should get, some of these computer's PSU's are 850 watts or around 700 watts. And then there's the monitors. I would like a 2 prong extension cable to connect both computer and monitor.
Just curious, for LAN parties, do you prefer everybody have speakers or headphones?
Btw I decided to research again. Actually, would it make more sense to get Cat5E cables since the speed of those apparently match the speed of the ports (Gigabit?). Would that basically mean getting Cat6 would be a waste of money since they're more than the Switch supports?
Having gone through this mostly during my teens, I’m sure I can assist.
A simple switch like the one you mentioned will be sufficient for linking computers on a local network. When connected to your internet router and the computers plugged into the switch, it will share the internet and manage traffic efficiently between devices.
Using a router is straightforward—just connect the computers directly and DHCP will handle IP assignments automatically.
With just a switch, you’ll need to set each system to a static IP address. It’s quite manageable, usually using 192.168.0.1, 255.255.255.0, and assigning each computer a unique number like 192.168.0.2, etc.
You should invest in CAT6 cable. Even for a 1Gbps setup...
Having gone through this mostly during my teenage years, I’m confident in helping. A simple switch you mentioned can effectively link computers within a local network. When connected to your internet router and routed through the switch, it will distribute the internet connection and manage data flow between devices efficiently.
Using a router alone is straightforward—just connect the computers directly, and DHCP will automatically assign IP addresses. With just a switch, each computer must be set to a static IP address, which is still manageable. Usually, assigning 192.168.0.1, 255.255.255.0, and giving each device an address like 192.168.0.2 works well.
You’ll need CAT6 cable for optimal performance. Even for a 1Gbps setup, the price difference is negligible, and you’ll benefit from it later when upgrading to 2.5Gbps adapters. It also offers better shielding.
The length of the cable over short distances in a room or house won’t significantly affect speed. The maximum rated distance for Cat 5e or higher is around 100 meters, though higher ratings support faster speeds.
For installation, consider lengths of 10 feet, 25 feet, and 50–100 feet to easily connect to the router or DSL outlet without moving it.
Power requirements don’t match actual usage. If you have powerful gaming rigs with high-end components like a 65W CPU and 200W GPU, limiting yourself to four computers per circuit is wise.
A thick-gauge extension cord should be purchased for powering computers from another room. You can verify this by testing your circuit breakers to ensure separate circuits.
Power strips protected against surges are recommended. You can consolidate them into one power strip if needed—though this isn’t the most practical solution for a LAN party. Unless you prefer rack-mounted PDUs, it’s best to keep things simple.
Port forwarding might be necessary if you want remote guests to join your LAN. It’s a good idea to research hosting needs per game.
If you have more questions, feel free to ask.
Consider using a router instead of a switch. A router manages the entire network setup for you. If you choose a switch, you'll have to configure the network manually for each device.
Cat5e meets your needs if you prefer not to invest heavily.
Ensure you have enough cable—Cat5e and Cat6 support up to 100 meters.
Distance mainly affects latency, which remains around ~350 nanoseconds at 100 meters.
To connect your local network to the internet, a modem is essential.
Internet access is necessary for some games that require logging into a storefront. Certain titles offer an offline mode after login, though this may not be permanent.
Port forwarding isn’t required for LANs; it’s only useful when connecting from outside the network (the internet).
Without knowing the specific devices, a rough estimate suggests each monitor uses about 300 watts. Standard household circuits are limited to 1200W or 1500W. It’s advisable to limit to no more than three computers and monitors per surge protector.
Headphones are a better choice for LAN parties.
You’ll need a copy of the game on each device. Account sharing won’t allow simultaneous play on multiple accounts.
Here’s your message rewritten with similar length and structure:
So far, everything seems under control. The main concern now is power. At the moment, I’m only worried about the four of us.
I don’t mind power issues either—they have a spacious three-story home.
Currently, I’m considering updating the dining room, which links to the main living area and the kitchen via appliances such as the built-in microwave, digital fridge, stove, and dishwasher.
This setup would be ideal since there are four outlets available, allowing us to connect one computer and a monitor on each.
Regarding our devices, we have a powerful, up-to-date system with a GTX 3080 (850 watt power supply), multiple case lights, several hard drives, ample RAM, and a 4K GSync monitor.
The other machines include:
- GTX 970 (550 watt PSU), 1 HD, 1080p TV as monitor at 50 watts
- GTX 1000 series (750 watt PSU), Ryzen CPU, 1 hard drive, general 4K monitor
- GTX 980ti (750 watt M.2 hard drive or one of those), general 4K monitor
If we connect all four to the adjacent outlets in the dining room, would it function properly? And most importantly, would it be safe?
I just want to avoid any risk of damaging the house—please help.
We might unplug everything in the living room and skip using the microwave and stove if that reduces the chance of trouble.
I did some research and reviewed their panel photos (https://imgur.com/a/5jbwd0v).
I observed flickering at 15 and most switches showing 120V on the sides, though some indicate 120V/240V.
They also mention a maximum current of 10 kA.
I’m not sure what these numbers mean, but I’ve heard you should calculate watts by multiplying volts by amps for safe usage.
Are those “amps” referring to the 15 value?
Also, the switches have dented markings to match the diagram on paper.
Thank you again.
Just a quick question: For games like Sanctum that need online multiplayer even over LAN, will the direct connection between our computers still work? Or could using the internet for hosting introduce lag or latency?
Additionally, when connecting the internet to the switch, is it necessary to plug into a specific port, or can any port be used?
Wouldn't an application program such as Hitachi function effectively? It would establish a local network allowing everyone to connect, setting up a LAN without dealing with extensive wiring and IP configurations.
Isn't that a Japanese company? Hamachi is the one I'm familiar with for creating your own virtual LAN. If you need it to function without routers and a lot of cables, it would require running over the internet, which would cause very high latencies compared to a real LAN. A router is the simplest option. Yes, 15A each. The interrupting rating for short circuits is 10kA. With a single 15A breaker in the kitchen, that current would be shared among all outlets, which is unusual unless the microwave and other devices are connected to another box. In that case, those computers wouldn't draw all 15A, so it's acceptable.
For safety, install one extension cable from a different room and connect it directly to the room you plan to use. Kitchen connections are usually separate from the fridge, microwave, and especially the electric range. Since these aren’t listed on the panel, another box is likely involved. This setup seems focused on the basement, some bedrooms, and family rooms, with no bathrooms, kitchens, or appliances. The house should have two panels, but they appear to be small and lack appliance breakers (which will be much bigger, such as 30, 40, and 50 AMP). A label should indicate what each panel serves.
For assessing safety and understanding, it’s useful to determine which breaker controls which area of the house, unless it’s clearly marked (it should be, but I’m not sure).
I also recommend choosing a circuit with the fewest connections and using an extension cord if possible.
Avoid placing circuits in rooms already full of devices. Surely major kitchen appliances should have their own circuits, though I’m uncertain about your setup and whether someone might need to make toast at an odd time, which could overload the circuit.
When linking a switch to a router, computers connected shouldn't require IP addresses manually. I haven't needed that in my LAN experiences. If you want others to join your game, the simplest method is to install and use a VPN account you manage yourself, such as Radmin VPN. This assigns IP addresses easily and reliably. Avoid Hamachi because it doesn't allocate IPs for virtual networks, and many games may struggle to connect.