Networking Box's ????

[c3p0-11n]

I am working with&on a cross-over cable network.(have not got win ICS to work yet) I have been looking at hubs and switchs and today I saw a gateway in a box. That looks like a good thing if it frees up that server from being an always on system. I mostly use one PC at a time for about 3 hours a night. I would like to have a network of 3 or 4 pc I could play games with my kids.And even all on the internet at once if possable. The gateway in a box was 10mps only and the nic I have are 10\100. Could some one inlighten me on the different types of network boxes. Have also heard of a router but think it is not like the one in my shop.
Thanks for any addvice
Bruce

[a Bill]

If you don't want to have a certain computer on every time you connect to the web you can just use a LinkSys router. Fairly cheap and works fine. The connection to the outside world is 10 but the switch is 10/100. This is because the internet is slower than your LAN. A lot slower.

[ArcAngel]

before you go out an buy the linksys 4 port router, look into others, I've heard of Umax or something or other, I can't say the linksys is a bad Item, because I own one myself, but when it comes to playing games, it's still a hassle, multiple players cannot or have a hard time playing (together in same game, for example a starcraft game, each player can play their own game, but cant join each others)over the internet, internal lan games are great and simple, The linksys is a snap to install though, once linksys upgrades their firmware some more, it may be a better machine, till then we suffer....

[RampageIII]

I use a Netgear hub and considering this router. But, I hear that a switch would allow greater bandwidth per pc when sharing one modem. Confusing, no?
http://www.netgear.com/products/ds_rm356/index.shtml

[ArcAngel]

The linksys router is a 4 port switch,,,

[headlnr]

K,ive got a question about routers, im gettin ready to get a netgear router the
rt311. Will I need a hub to share the cable connection I have or can this be done thru the router. Im not sure if there is a cheaper way to share the cable connection without adding another IP which I dont want to do. Could someone please give any advice you can to this..

[c3p0-11n]

I have been looking at SOHOware NBG600. It is a gateway which says that it eliminites the ned for a host PC. What are the thought on this. Also a D-Link DI-704
http://www.dlink.com/products/broadband/di704/
http://www.sohoware.com/BIG/BIG.htm