Switch?

[wildbilly2k]

OK i hear about routers that have a 4 port switch does that mean only one of the computers can be hooked up to the internet at a time or that it switches bandwith between them all so i can use internet on all of them at the same time.

[WillysNut]

The majority of switch/routers will allow you to take a single, service provider address, and create spoofed IP address' for other machines attached to the switch so the latter of your two statements is correct.

[Kingslayer]

No, a switch won't allow you to connect multiple computers to one Internet connection.

A switch is one step above a hub. If you have four computers on a network and are trying to send a message from Computer1 to Computer4, Computers2 and 3 also see that message but pay no attention to it because it's not intended for them. This is called broadcasting. The signal from Computer1 is broadcasted out all computers on that hub.

A switch simply sends that message directly to computer4 without 2 and 3 seeing it. It's more efficient and cuts down on network bandwidth waste.

If you want to connect multiple computers to one broadband connection what you need is a router.

[WillysNut]

Originally posted by Kingslayer
No, a switch won't allow you to connect multiple computers to one Internet connection.

A switch is one step above a hub. If you have four computers on a network and are trying to send a message from Computer1 to Computer4, Computers2 and 3 also see that message but pay no attention to it because it's not intended for them. This is called broadcasting. The signal from Computer1 is broadcasted out all computers on that hub.

A switch simply sends that message directly to computer4 without 2 and 3 seeing it. It's more efficient and cuts down on network bandwidth waste.

If you want to connect multiple computers to one broadband connection what you need is a router.

I didn't just say switch. I said switch/router. Like the products offered from Dlink (http://www.dlink.com/products/broadband/di704p/). A standard Cisco router alone would not offer the hardware ethernet connections needed for the PC's on the network. Most true routers (as I'm sure you already know) have 1 or 2 ethernet connections to allow it to connect to the switch or hub containing the users/servers on the network.

A product from DLink or the other vendors out there contains hardware switch ports AND a DHCP type method of applying spoofed IP addresses that can have information routed to them. So they really are combination products. The router alone would not offer connectivity for mutliple PC's, so the switch hardware is added.

Who says a broadband connection will not offer mutliple connections using a Hub...or switch? I use a plain vanilla 10/100 fast hub from netgear along with ICS (internet connection sharring) to provide connectivity to 6 machines.

Sure, switching is a more efficient, lower collision setup, but hubs will work if ultimate performance is not a requirement.

[Kingslayer]

What are the specs on that DLink? I just got rid of my Efficient Networks router as I have gone to cable. I borrowed a Linksys 4 port router from a buddy until I can get my own.

I was going to get another Linksys until I used. I can't understand how these things are so popular, they are absolutely worthless. It is no where near as robust as the EN router, it is too limited on the ports I can router, and the setup is confusing compared to other routers I have worked with.

I have been looking at the SMC Barricade, but I don't know of anyone that has one so I can get better specs.