question about switches

[nothing]

What is a network switch for?

[BipolarBill]

It's a hub with a brain. It knows the addresses of the PCs/printers on your network and sends packets that are addressed to those nodes only to those nodes. It doesn't "spam the network" like a dumb hub does.

[nothing]

So I still need a router in order to use a switch right? Can you post a link where I can find more information on how to set up a switch? Someone gave one to me but I don't know how to use it :rolleyes:

[omendata]

you plug it in switch it on
and plug in your pcs
thats it
no configuration unless you are using a Cisco.

[Midknyte]

modem - (wan port) router (uplink port) - switch - pcs

that's about all you need to know. the switch will create its own address table.

[bassman]

Originally posted by nothing
So I still need a router in order to use a switch right?
It depends on what you're doing (but it's not required to have a router in order to use a switch!); you can have a closed LAN and use a switch instead of using a hub to link the computers together. Therefore, you can also use it to link several LANs together, etc, etc...
To setup the switch you'fve got, you'd better take a look at it's manual; here's how to setup an Intel switch: http://www.intel.com/support/express/switches/10/23349.htm

[cat5e]

Take a look at this.

Link: Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...? (http://www.anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=48)

Link: Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing. (http://www.anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=105)

[dajogejr]

Here's the analogy I've heard...and have used.

Hub:
4 way stop signs on a dirt road.

Switch:
4 way traffic light on a city intersection.