Computer placement

[lansing]

This might be a stupid question but I am still going to ask.

I got a KVM switch so need to remove my laptop from the top of my desk. I have a desktop pc that I have strapped to the underside of my desk. I have a shelf near that I have my Modem, Router, Network Switch & VOIP adapter on it. I have been told by Linksys support that some of my router & switch problems I had was due to the me having all of that above on the same shelf that is about 3 foot long. They said I needed to space them apart about 1 foot apart & that would stop some of my problems as they say/think that the RFI/EMI is interfering with the other devices. I don't know how much truth to that there is, but I need to know if that is true.

If that is true then I don't think I want to place my laptop on that shelf. Would it be better to just site the laptop on the desktop under my desk or on the shelf with those devices above. The way I have this desktop underneath my desk I could either strap my laptop to the side of my desktop or just sit it on top of my desktop.

At work we have 4 computers together. We have them 2 pc's wide & 2 pc's high & we haven't had any problems with them functioning correctly.

[oracleguy]

Computers themselves are usually shielded enough to prevent any EMI from causing problems so you can place them near each other without too much trouble in that regard. (You still have to consider heat disipation, noise, etc.)

But for the switch and router and such, that might not be the case depending on how cheaply they were built. If they are on the same shelf but not stacked on top of each other, they really shouldn't be interfering with each other to the point where you'll have noticable problems.

[lansing]

Would it be OK if I stack the router on top of the switch? They have the cut outs on the top of them that looks like they stack on top of each other.

Linksys Wireless-B Broadband Router BEFW11S4
This is the switch...I didn't get it there, but this is the one I have. http://www.superwarehouse.com/Linksys_Etherfast_10_100_5_Port_Auto-Sensing_Switch/EZXS55W/p/44782

[oracleguy]

If they are both designed to be stackable and they fit in the slots, you should be able to stack them.