I wanna use a switch instead of a router for internet bcuz its cheaper and i can get more ports. Is this possible? I read somewere that u need a computer with 2 ethernet jacks, one connecting to the modem and one to the switch. If this is true, how do i configure this and does this "server" need to be good or can i use a P4 1.6 Ghz?
hay mate, the router if it is ethernet, should just plug into the switch under either upload or just a normal 10/100 port. The nthe computers should also be plugged into the swith and away you go, thats all i have done while setting networks up.
i agree with wdowsing, i shouldn't do the solution you said, sounds more for a linux pc that is used as webserver/e-mailserver/internet-connectionpoint... One of the things that a router does and a switch/hub can't is cloning the mac-address of your networkcard. In that case you just put the mac-address of the pc that is normally used for internet into the router. Everytime one of your pc's is trying to connect to the internet your router just pretends it's your official pc that is trying to connect. By meaning of that you can connect several pc's to the internet, even if your internetprovider only lets you connect one pc btw using a pc to get several pc's on the net isn't very handy, easier to have a device that doesn't have a windows that might crash... A router also has a (rather limited) firewall so it's also safer. There are also labels (dunno which ones) that offer a hard- and software security solution for a rather limited budget. And you can also connect your switch to the router, just like wdowsing said (upload of 10/100port). If you're looking for a switch, try to get one with full 1000mb instead of only 10/100mb, if you ever get new pc's you'll definately feel the difference without having to change your network hardware. I've seen a small network of 3 pc's with built-in pci-express gigabit-networkcard connected to a 3com 8port gigabit-switch that was connected to a linksys router, really quite blasting
depends on how big the guy's network is... If he only needs 4 ports he'd better get a router like you suggested.
You're bound by 4-ports with most switches and access points as well. Only heavy-duty network gear supports 5 or more PCs.
ur right, that's why maybe it's the best that he'd use an extra ethernetswitch/accesspoint that is connected to the internet. I'm running a small office-network of 3 servers, 15 clients-pc's, internet via dsl and 5 networkprinters and that's working in a similar way. These switches are connected to each other using uplinks. Works nice.
im gunna need 18 ports cuz my dad is building a house and i thought we might as well wire the stuff now. Marko, 13
18 computers in your house? How many of you are there???!! With that many ports you'll need some serious network gear, it's best to have a look round the Belkin and Netgear sites to see what looks sensible, prices escalate for stuff like that.
ok smooth that way you can hook up to the network using utp which is still way better than all that wireless kinda stuff But sammorris is right, such a device won't be cheap. If you think that a router is already over your budget, i'd say maybe wire everything and get that device later. Even an ordinary 24-port switch isn't cheap.
