Sharing cable internet

[jeffyscott]

I have earthlink cable modem service coming to my house soon. Once it is in I want to be able to connect multiple computers without paying them more $. I have very limited experience with networking...we did set one up between two computers us just using a crossover cable.

From reading a prior thread it sounds like a router is the easiest way to do this. Is that correct? Are their other (better) ways to do it? Whats the difference between a router and a hub?

If the router includes a firewall, will this be a problem for certain things...like games the kids play on-line? Eathlink says they give you free firewall software...so do I even need a firewall in the router/hub?

[AllGamer]

Yes the best and easiest way to connect is with a Router

www.Linksys.com

they are simply the best
other brands are good

is just that with this one, almost anybody will be able to help you cuz it's the most popular one

and most secure and reliable from experience

i'm using the Wireless version of their router and cards

:t

[jeffyscott]

At http://www.buy.com/retail/specialty_store_1.asp?loc=7074
one of these things is called 4 port...which I would have thought meant 4 computers (or 3 plus the internet connection) can be connected. But then they have a 1 port that says up to 253 users???

Do you know anything about the firewall issue and certain games...

[AllGamer]

actually when they say 4 port it's really 4 port

cuz 1 special port is labeled WAN, that's for you to hook up the Cable or DSL to it

so total of 4+1

you'll only loose 1 port when you use the last port as a Link Up to add more Hubs to add more computers

the one that is only 1 Port

that is used to connect the DSL / Cable to it, then it connects to your existing HUB if you already have one

if you don't get the other one the one with 4 ports

[staffmeister]

screw a router. a regular hub does the trick and is cheaper! I've been using a 4 port linksys hub for years to share internet connection.