"activating" ethernet ports

[eejdoowad]

Well, let me warn you in advance. I'm ignorant in Networking, if that's what what I'm doing is called. I apologize if this is in the wrong section.But, here's my question.

I have a router hooked up to the one ethernet port in my house that actually provides any signal. What I'm wondering is how do I get the other ethernet ports to work? I have a desktop situated about 30 feet from my router, next to an ethernet port, but that ethernet port doesn't provide any signal. Do I have to buy any fancy hardware? If there's a guide on how to do this, would you post it please? thanks

 

[Emerald]

what kind of router is it?

where does the ethernet port get the signal from?

are you connecting the WAN port of the router to the ethernet port?

 

[eejdoowad]

It's an old netgear wireless g router.
The ethernet ports get their signal from this cabinet in my wall labeled "leviton integrated networks." Inside the cabinet is what appears to be a big silicon board with multiple ethernet ports. Only two of the ports in the cabinet are actually connected to an ethernet cable. I can rewire one of the ethernet cables to any of the ethernet ports in my house, but if i do that, the port that was once connected loses its signal. So basically, right now I can only use one ethernet port at a time. I don't know what you mean by WAN, but this is how my network is connected:

The cabinet in the wall is currently connected to ethernet port 3. Ethernet port 3 is connected directly to my modem, which is then connected to my router. I noticed that my router has 4 unused ethernet ports. Do I have to use these ports to activate other ports in my house?

 

[Emerald]

I noticed that my router has 4 unused ethernet ports. Do I have to use these ports to activate other ports in my house?

yes

 

[eejdoowad]

What's the best, most tidy way to do this. The cabinet is not big enough to fit a router, and it's definitely not big enough to fit a router and a modem, which I assume I'll need to move as well. There's barely an inch of room of space for anything to fit. I really don't want to have to leave the cabinet open and have wires dangling out connecting to a router and modem in a location I really don't want them.

 

[eejdoowad]

Best answer selected by eejdoowad.

 

[cllaer]

I have a router hooked up to the one ethernet port

in my house that actually provides any signal.