Hub or router?

[bluemax]

I have two PC's I want to share with a single broadband net connection.
Can I do this with simply a hub, or do I *need* a router?

 

[MikeMike]

you need a router.

hub has no smarts, and couldnt send the data to the pc that is requesting it thus u cant split the connection

(my schooling analogy)

a hub is in 3rd grade with very little knowledge

a switch has graduated high school and has a moderate knowledge of the networking world

a router has graduated college, and has a vast knowledge of the networking world

 

[PCMarine]

Ha, Nice analogy...I like it

 

[ScrapSilicon]

router is the easiest out..but if you can put 2 NICs in one pc that's always on you can use a crossover cable(using ICS) to network your connection..but the sharing comp would have to be on if the other comp wants to surf.

 

[spanky]

get a router w/ more then one port. if u get a router with only one port, u will need to buy an additional hub or switch.

 

[Ausm]

Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
you need a router. hub has no smarts, and couldnt send the data to the pc that is requesting it thus u cant split the connection (my schooling analogy) a hub is in 3rd grade with very little knowledge a switch has graduated high school and has a moderate knowledge of the networking world a router has graduated college, and has a vast knowledge of the networking world

very nice analogy


ausm

 

[Ben88]

I'm in the same boat. Can you guys suggest some actual products to share a broadband conection on two computers for $50 or less.

 

[cmdrdredd]

http://www.dlink.com/products/broadband/di604/pdfs/DI604_DS.pdf

$46 at www.newegg.com

 

[chansen]

? Again, a router, with two network cards. Best and easiest solution. I'm in Canada, but you should be able to do it for $50 I would think. If not, a hub and three networking cards, together with MS Internet Connection Sharing (Win98SE or greater) on the PC with two cards also works. Heck, for two machines, leave out the hub and connect the two machines with a crossover cable, but you still need 3 NICs.

For more info, try http://www.practicallynetworked.com/

 

[cmdrdredd]

one thing you should know is ALL routers act as a firewall while sharing the broadband connection. Your computers have private IP addresses that will not accept incomming traffic so if you wanted to host a server for gaming or whatnot you would have to use the router's software to open a specific port (or all ports) to the private IP of the computer you want to host the game from.

For instance Quake3 uses por 27960 so if you wanted to host a game you'd have to do this...

router Ip is 192.168.0.1 by default and each comp is 192.168.0.x where x can be any number between 2 and 255. Let's say the computer to host is at 192.168.0.5 you's have to tell the router to route all traffic accessing port 27960 to go to Ip 192.168.0.5

It's very easy. Or you can set a DMZ IP so all traffic incomming from all ports will be routed to a specific IP

 

[IRISH4LIFE]

I suggest Belkin, 4 port router it has gotten good recommendations from PracticallyNetworked.com
I'm currently using it and it was very easy to setup.

 

[chansen]

Good point. Anywys, all this stuff is all over the forums, FAQ, and covered nicely in the site I linked.

 

[Ben88]

I would only be using the second computer when the first one is occupied. Can someone please explain the crossover cable method in detail with all parts needed. Thanks

 

[chansen]

3 NICs, crossover cable, Win98SE or higher with ICS installed on one machine only. Crossover cables look like typical CAT5 patch cables, but they are wired differently. Many stores now have them.

DSL/Cable > NIC1 on PC1 with ICS installed
NIC2 on PC1 > PC2

Search for "Internet Connection Sharing". Heck, Windows help will walk you through it as well.

Google is a wonderful tool.

Though this is a cheap way of doing it, I still recommend you buy a router.