routers,hub and switches

[mazz]

hey all,
I was wondering if anyone can briefly explain or give me a link to a page that shows the difference between a router, a hub and a switch.
I have 2 pcs at my home and i like to share my dsl connection on both. Should i get a hub, a switch or a router, whats the difference between them as of bandwith, switch is definetly the cheapest and the router is the priciest.
thnks

[Betty]

Try looking in the Internet and Networking forum.

[KaHNZa]

Get at router. All around better handling of internet traffic and a builtin firewall. BTW, this topic would do better in the Internet and Networking section. ;)

[pcgirl]

If you want to share the DSL connection in your home, a router would be the way to go. Switches are better suited for larger networks and can be very pricey. Go to CompUSA or Best Buy or any store that sells computer parts and you should be able to find a decently priced router.

I've found that a good site for terms and explanations of anything related to computers is www.whatis.com

[mazz]

i found this switch:
Linksys Etherfast Desktop 5PT Switch, EZXS55W
and it is for 80 canadian $
you can check it out at:

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&dept=1&WLBS=fs%2Dweb3&biasid=C562E1F713764FD48BC480E03293157F&sku_id=0665000FS91048028&catid=&newdeptid=1

that is all the additional info it has:
Mfr. Part Number : 970148
BNC Port (Yes/No): No
Number of Ports : 5 Ports
Speed : 10/100 Switched
Uplink Port (Yes/No): Yes-Switched
Warranty : 5 Year

is that an ok switch? what is a BNC port and do switches normaly come with a buit in firewall?

[Bmxpunk86pl]

HUB:
-It connects 2 or more pcs together and half duplex. It will send what it recieves to every machine until the packets hit the right one.
SWITCH:
-It connects 2 or more pcs together at full duplex. It will send what it recieves to the target because it know what the target is so its faster.
ROUTER:
-Connects networks together.

[rugby]

Or you could just read the sticky above about home networking.

[ozzy0627]

MAZZ if you get a switch you will need to obtain another dynamic ip from you provider...so you have 2 ip address 1 for each computer. Somtimes your provider will charge you for extra Ip address

If you get a router ..you only need 1 Ip address and it assigns 2 stactic ips ....a router is about 40 buck mor than a switch..but it has a switch built into and assings ip address.

[LandShark]

go w/ a router for sure!

i've seen the name brand (Linksys or Netgear, i forgot) router w/ 4 port switch built in for as low as $49(!!) on this week's ad. from either bestbuy or CompUSA.

usually a router has a hardware firewall built in which is an a-must if u have always on connection! and it can let u share just 1 IP address for as many as 255 machines (in theroy).

i'm using a Linksys Wireless AP + Router w/ 4 port Switch in my house. i love it! tested several security site for safety, non of my machines is visible to others.

[UserName]

if you only got 2 computers then save your money and buy an extra nic card.

put 2 in one machine and the 3rd in the other. use the one with 2 as a gateway. you can do this for about half the price and your isp will never know.

[donny_paycheck]

Originally posted by UserName
if you only got 2 computers then save your money and buy an extra nic card.

put 2 in one machine and the 3rd in the other. use the one with 2 as a gateway. you can do this for about half the price and your isp will never know.

I would go with this option. The drawback being that the firewall computer must always be on. If this isn't possible then go with a home gateway router.