sharing network point with a switch

[jonwallace]

I know this is "networking your home" but I have a work problem that I need help and advice with before I go to Computer Services. (I like to present them with a solution, because A) they're understaffed and B) they keep forgetting I can do this stuff and need to be reminded from time to time - I know, I'm asking questions, so I probably can't do this stuff...)

We have an office which has two network points and two PCs plugged into them. We would like to add a network printer to the room. I also inherited a 5 port netgear switch when the Lab down the road closed (still in it's box). Is it feasible to plug the switch into the network point and plug an printer and a PC into that?

I can't just try it because the network people will have to issue an IP address for the printer and the network has "sticky mac" (oo-er) so you can't just plug things in willy-nilly. So my second question would be: can two pieces of equipment (PC and printer) share a network port using a switch if the "sticky mac" thing is in operation. I suppose I'm asking if CSU can authorise two MAC addresses to be attached to one network point through a switch?

[StuartR]

The sticky MAC will be a problem. The network people would have to authorize the MAC address of the new switch, and then anything could be plugged into it, circumventing the sticky MAC security.

[jonwallace]

ooh that is a problem. Thanks for the speedy reply.