Whats the diff between a hub & router?

Speed · March 1st, 2002, 09:20 PM

I just got a Linksys 5-port Workgroup Hub. Can I connect my DSL line to the uplink port on this and then connect my two computers to the hub? Will then both my computers be able to see each other on the network and get online? Right now everything works fine, I have them connected together without a router but with MS internet connection sharing. It works just fine but my main computer has to be on so that the other can be online. Will connecting my computers with this hub let me bypass this? I have verizon DSL. Here is the link to the Hub

Please let me know before I mess up my whole connection!

Thanks!!!

SpiffGQ · March 1st, 2002, 09:24 PM

A hub is dumb and routes traffic to all computers connected to it whereas a router is smarter and only routes the traffic to its specific destination.
edit: yes, a hub should allow you to have only one or the other or both computers on with out being dependant on the other.

Speed · March 1st, 2002, 09:29 PM

So with the hub I can connect both my computers to it and the DSL modem to it and BOTH my computers should be able to get online right? Also both my computers will be able to share files with each other right?

Thanks Again.

Sorry for having to pretty much draw me a picture, but this networking and routing DSL is all new to me.

**Explaine it to me like if I was a 5 year old....**

Mortis · March 1st, 2002, 09:49 PM

I may be wrong about this, but heres my understanding- If you use a hub, you will need a "host" pc to always be on in order to access the internet... the other computers will then access the "host" pc through the hub to access the net. Yes, in this way, you can use a hub for multiple internet connections. A cable/DSL router acts as a hub for networking, but also smartly splits cable/dsl to be accessed by many comps independently. A router will assume the IP address from the cable/dsl modem, then assign its own value to any comp connected to it- whereas a hub will do none of this. Hope this helps.

If I am off here, could someone let me know.

Mortis

As for your other question about file sharing/networking- I am not sure. I have only had experience with using hubs for a print server and routers for home networks with the express purpose of broadband sharing. However, you should be able to use the Hub to access files and share files. I think the only difference between a hub and router is the independent part.

shigum · March 1st, 2002, 10:56 PM

A hub merely connects multiple hosts, whereas a router connects two networks, such as the internet and a private network. Some routers that are sold have a hub function builtin to allow several clients on one network to access the internet. Connection sharing is a routing feature built into Windows for connecting the net to a home network, thus acting like a router.

DVNT1 · March 1st, 2002, 11:11 PM

Quote:

with the hub I can connect both my computers to it and the DSL modem to it and BOTH my computers should be able to get online right

Depends on your ISP. If they give you two Public IP addresses then yes. If not, then no unless you lease a 2nd Public IP address from them.

Quote:

Also both my computers will be able to share files with each other right?

Speed · March 2nd, 2002, 12:11 AM

Thanks for all your information guys!

Man, I love this place!!

Speed!

BaltoMD · March 2nd, 2002, 09:56 AM

Does anyone know of some software I can download (like the server S/W AnalogX has in Proxy Server) to install a router function on my WinME computer? I understand w2k server has it, but not ME. My situation is that I essentially have 2 networks -- a wireless one for my laptop, and a phoneline one for an older PC. Both work well, independently, and can be seen by the computer I have set up using Proxy Server, but I believe I need to have some sort of router in the main PC to allow both networks to talk to each other (short of a bridge, which I don't want to invest in at this point). Thanks for any advice!

Shadowhaxor · March 4th, 2002, 12:33 PM

Well, You could either download Wingate (http://www.wingate.com) or Sygate (Http://www.sygate.com)

Or just get a cheap d-link or Linksys router.

Dokeman · March 4th, 2002, 01:08 PM

just take back the hub and swap it for a router. The router will come with all the directions you need. i know the netgear comes with this big fold out thing-a-ma-jig with pictures and stuff. From reading your post it sounds like this will be the least complicated way of doing it. And also the best. You dont have to deal with leaving on PC on all the time and all that garbage. The router is the best way to do it. You also get defense against hackers and such.

The hub is the same thing as a router except it cant handle your DSL/cable modem "directly". A hub is only for transfering data between PC's. And a switch is the same thing as a hub with more bandwitch. 100mbps for each port instead of total between all the ports. And a rounter is gonna basically be a switch that can handle you DSL/cable modem "directly". When i say directly i mean have a port specifically for you modem. Understand???? The router is gonna connect to your service for you. It will have a place your usenames and passwords if applicapble. Then it connects and passes the internet allong to all the PC's connected.
Those type of "broadband Routers" were invented for the sole perpose of sharing cable/dsl internet between multiple PC's in the home or small business.