simple networking qeustion

[miggetyMike]

Im getting cable finally. I have two computers and want to hook them both up to the same cable line. I also want to be able to share printers and scanners with both comps. I thought it was as simple as it seems but I got confused with the difference between hubs, switches, and routers. Can someone explain the difference and tell me which one is most cost efficient and easier for how I want to set up my comps.......I do want to be able to go on the internet with both comps at the same time....Thanks for any help.

[Praetorian]

A hub is a 'dumb' device that sends out information to all ports on the lan until it is accepted by the recieveing computer. On a large network a hub is a very bad idea. A switch will record the mac addresses of each machine on the lan so when data is sent out it knows exactly where to send it, thus increasing bandwidth and giving dedicated 10mbps or 100mbps speeds to each machine on the lan. A router is designed to take all incoming packets and deliver them to the correct machine by using NAT (network address translation). I'm not 100% sure of exactly what a router can do but you'd be better off with one for sharing a cable or dsl connection. I would recommend the Linksys BEFSR41. With a router you don't have to leave a machine on to perform the neccesary tasks (you can make a router out of a machine with 2 nics and the required software to perform the task). Most routers also come with built-in switches so you're getting dedicated 100mbps speeds on the lan side.

I hope that explains stuff for you and get a router. You'll be very happy with one. :)

[miggetyMike]

Yeah it definately seems worth the money to but the router. Thanks for the help!

[JRKy]

Router is the way to go for BroadBand. Just make sure the router supports NAT (some do not). Also, some routers limit the amout of ports you can map (very bad for gaming). Linksys is your best bet and they provide good support.