On 2/1/06 5:51 AM, "Paul Alfille"
On Wednesday 01 February 2006 12:14 am, suse_gasjr4wd@mac.com wrote:
On 1/31/06 11:20 PM, "JB"
wrote: Hi gang,
My girlfriend recently got satellite internet. Her daughter of course needs to use it also (as will I soon). I thought a router would be the thing to use for all 3 of us to hook into to use the 'net, but a friend here said a hub/switch will be just fine. Which is better? Which would allow all 3 of us to be 'online' at the same time the best (meaning, which/what would try to even out the bandwidth we use if all 3 of us were online at one time?)? Is the switch good enough? It seems to be working well enough for the two of them as it is, but I'm just curious if there's something that might be any better.
Thanks,
JB
There is a big difference in a hub, a router, and a switch.
A hub shares the bandwidth with each computer connected. (the more computers connected, the slower each is.)
A switch gives each computer the full 100Bt connection speed. (or what ever your network is.)
A router* does just what the name implies.
*Some routers have a 5 or 8 switch built in...
What you want is a switch. They are very, very cheap nowadays. (think "down the road"...get a gigabit switch) $20 such as: http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=313920&pfp=ca t 3
Now, after all that's said, I don't think you will notice any speed difference in just sharing the satellite connection with not going gigabit. ;) The speed can't be THAT fast... It just makes more sense ($) to get a gigabit if you are going to buy something.
Hate to disagree, but I think you really wanted a Router, probably with a firewall built it, and possibly with wireless capabilities as well.
Typically, the service provider only allows you to have a single IP address, usually dynamically assigned. They think that corresponds to one computer.
The router will do NAT, making all the internal computers look like one external one. It will also limit how much of your internal network is visible from the outside. Most routers also include a 4-port switch.
Prices are under $100 US.
Some routers even have embedded linux internally, and there are projects that allow custom versions of linux with special features. See OpenWRT.org
Paul Alfille
UG! You are right! Sorry about that. I was thinking of another list-situation. (and I've sworn off coffee - going cold turkey sucks) Maybe I assumed there was a firewall installed? I don't know - what I was thinking. Yes, everyone needs some type of firewall-router. You can get the the consumer grade ones very cheap... Free (or close to it) after rebates a lot of the time. Watch those Sunday sale papers. We have everything form D-Link to Netgear to Linksys to Hawking. They are all just about the same... Just do your self a favor and get a separate hardware item as above. Running a firewall in software on your computer (or each one) is a PIA. For the $20 they maybe, it will be the best few bucks you ever spend. Serves me right for doing things late and fast. Ill shut up now... ;) -- Thanks, George Best to keep your mouth closed and let people think you're an idiot than to open it and remove all doubt.