Printable View
I've been thinking about setting up a network, and I need to know something, is it true that if I use a hub, that only one computer will be able to go online at a time? I've heard that hubs can not share an internet connection, and though I'm pretty sure this is the case, I'd really appreciate some confirmation. Thanks.
No, hubs most certainly can share a connection. Now, If this connection is on a dial up modem, then its definetly not going to work very fast, although theoretically it will work. Hubs, or most common ones, have 4 ports on them. Basically, you can connect the main computer that dials into the internet to hub 1. You make all the other computers dive into that. With a hub you may need to make your main connecting computer go.. internet------computer----hub----(where ever)--comp 1 or comp2 (up to 3 others). This hub will just bring the computers together, although you still have to set up all other boxes that make a connection. A Hub is almost like a router, although a hub wastes bandwitdh more, and is generally dumber than a router. With a router you just put it net----router-- comp 1, 2, 3, 4 whatever. A router will store your login info and sign in whenever needed. Personally I have a WiFi router, that connects my laptop, my widows 2k box, and my linux box together. I hope to have my open bsd box up soon.
good luck...
xmaddness
Choosing between a hub or a router depends on the ISP you're connecting threw, unless you want the hardware firewall provided by some routers.
Usually though it is nicer to go with a switch, rather than a hub, they'll function the same for a SoHo network but the switch will mean less collisions, which is nice if you decide to do LAN Gaming. When I had cable I had a router because we only had 1 IP and had to pay extra for additional IPs and i personally hate ICS. Now that we have DSL we've replaced the router with a hub because each computer can connection to the DSL individually and have it's own IP, which makes a lot of inet functions easier. I have friends with routers, that have problems setting up a lot of servers and such because they're behind the router. So personally if your ISP gives you multiple IP addresses, go with a hub/switch.
Hi,
I have a 4 - port router on my cable modem.
I´ve purchased it because my provider works with DHCP and very short leases,
so now I don't have to let my PC 24/7 up and running to maintain the same IP-adress,
which I need to set up VPN - connections.
I personally would go for a router with local DHCP-function, because not only you can share your internet over one ip, also the home network becomes more flexible instead of a hub.
The extra firewall on the router is obvious a plus,
Greetz,
xmaddness pretty much summed it up for you - you can definitely use a hub for sharing an Internet connection, but it will be slower than using a switch/router. Is this network that you are going to set up for home use or for business use? Actually, for either instance, I would recommend going with a router with a built-in switch. Several companies are making these products including Linksys and D-Link, both of which are quality companies. A lot of home users are using this option for their cable connection sharing, and some small businesses are using the same option. A friend of mine works for a small firm - for their Internet access, he shares a DSL connection with about 8 computers throughout the building.. I personally use the Linksys BEFSR41 router with a 4-port switch at home.
Thanks people. Appreciate the help. Don't think I'll be getting a hub. I was going to use it for gaming anyways, so it probably isn't too good an idea.
One more thing, when I look up the Dlink 604, different sites have different pictures, the one I've seen in stores is green and white, and I've seen it on a few sites too, but other supposed 604s are darker solid colors. Could anybody explain this?
Most of the people on the thread have given you good advice already. AVOID ANYTHING FROM 2WIRE. All they do is produce garbage.
Maverick, I was going to that. :) Basically, you can't use a hub to share an internet connection, you have to use one of the computers as a proxy server. I do not wish to do that, I'd have to leave it on all the time. Anyways, mav, I was looking at a few Dlink routers, that were in my price range. I was going to get hte BEFSR41, from a few online sites which gave me a good deal, but after some research, I found that they were all based in the US and would charge me extra for an international order, then the conversion rates, and then shipping and handling, in short, it wasn't worth it.
I started eyeing the Dlink 604 about a week ago, looks good, can do what I need it to do, but there is one problem, people are reporting imcompatiblity with terayon modems, which is what my local cable internet company uses. 604 supposedly slows down the connection to dial-up speed, so I'm looking at other options, such as DSL, or a belkin router which looks good. The 604 has a built in switch, 4 ports, checked up on it.
I'm going to get a router for home use, small network.
And I am wondering why if I go on different sites, the 604s look different. Does anybody know the answer to that one?
That's not true at all.. I have 3 computers always connected with 2 more connected occasionally to the intenet threw a hub, and they all have their own connection.. and they're own IP addresses and I'm on DSL. With my cable connection I used a router when I had 1 IP, because a hub won't work if you only have 1 IP then you have to share the net. But even with my cable, i bought a second IP and have my main box direct out on it's own ip, and all the other computers threw the router onto the other IP.. Most DSL companies, and a fair number of Cable companies will give you more than on IP, so you can use a hub just fine.Quote:
Basically, you can't use a hub to share an internet connection, you have to use one of the computers as a proxy server
Reg, read my statement carefully please. "Share an internet connection". Which means one IP, limited bandwidth, not multiple IP addresses. And cable companise give more than one IP, but it often costs, or it will come free with packages.
Anyways, I've got the answer to my questions. I just needed it confirmed and xmadd did that. Just one more. Please bare with me. What is the difference between RJ-45 straight and RJ45-Crossover? What do you use crossover for?
Hi,
An RJ45 connector is a typical connector to be used in telco and ICT-world.
It exists out of 8 wires , normally 4 colors, each full color and his partner wire white-color,
example . bleu whit-bleu.
A Straight cable is when all 8 wires have the same places at the other side of the cable.
A cross cable usually has 4 wires crossed, 1-2 -> 3-6 a the other side when used for 10/100BaseT - protocol ( = Ethernet). Be aware, if you have an G703 standard, you will have to use 1 and 2 for Tx , 4 and 5 for Rx, but this standard is most commonly used in Europe, and strictly in Telecom situation, such as a clean 2Mbit/s
You have always 2 pairs of wires used in such a cable , 1 and 2 are transmit , 3 and 6 are receive. It is obvious that if you work with for example an hub and router and you want to connect them you got to use a cross-cable, those machines have the same pairs for transmit and receive.you always got to couple Rx and Tx.
Most of the time you will use a straight cable, for example, between a pc and your cablemodem, between an hub and your pc, between you cablemodem and an hub.
Hoped to help you a bit,
Greetz,
Linuxelite,
I would like to refer you to the following tutorial, it is a great tut on UTP Cables.
cwk9 explained it better than me.
http://www.antionline.com/showthread...&highlight=OSI
Hope you like it,
I've been thinking to setting up my home network comp(I have 4 comps) I have dialup at the moment but next week I will have DSL.Quote:
I personally use the Linksys BEFSR41 router with a 4-port switch at home.
So How good is "Linksys BEFSR41" I might gonna get that one...or any other good recommend routers?
ps:sorry linuxelite I use this forum to ask question...
OK, sorry it's takin' me a little time to get back to this thread...
linuxelite, glad you got your questions answered, but that's bad news about the DLink that you wanted to get, and about the Linksys. I'd say for gaming you'd definitely want to get a router/switch combo for sure. .: Shrekkie :. gave you some good info about cabling, I'm just going to add one thing. With a crossover cable, you can hook two PC's up directly without running through a hub/router/switch..
sweet_angel, I love the BEFSR41 - I've used it for around a year now, and it does the job perfectly, I have no complaints whatsoever. On the other hand, a few of the guys that I work with are using routers from DLink and they haven't had a bit of trouble and are impressed with those products as well. I'm sure that Belkin makes a quality router solution, I know that their other products are high quality. For home use those are the three that come to mind, and I'm sure that you would be satisfied with products from any of these three..
Well, looks like I can get the 604, called up Dlink tech support, and asked, they told me the new firmware upgrade resolved my problems, and that it was listed on their support page. Very happy now, my very first network.
Thanks to all wh helped me.
Shrekkie, you've confused me a bit, you called crossover cable ethernet cable, but I thought that straight cable was called ethernet cable. Which do I use for plugging my comps in to the Dlink 604?
Thing is I don't think the 604 has an uplink port, so I need to sue the right cable. Which one do I use?
Never mind, just had my question answered. Googled it, sorry, should've done that first. So thanks for all the help guys (and girls).