What do i need to do this?

**kruseman** · February 25th, 2003, 05:39 PM

ok, so my brother has 2 computers, and they are getting cable internet. They would like to be able to hook both to the internet pretty cheap. Can anyone recommend what to buy. Should I buy a cable router??? which one? can anyone provide any links. i was looking at newegg, but their site wasn't working for some reason.

Thanks guys
kruseman

**crouse** · February 25th, 2003, 05:55 PM

Cable router is the way to go...... if your limited on funds, get a hub.

**rpertusio** · February 25th, 2003, 06:23 PM

I'd agree, and recommend the router, for one reason:

Using a hub/switch, you are (most likely) going to pay an extra amount of money for an extra IP address. (Comcast for example charges $6.95 for each additional IP address)

Using a router will avoid that. The router will only pull 1 IP address, and 'distribute' it to computers connected to it.

A router might cost a bit more, but you may end up saving money by not needing a 2nd IP from your cable company.

**daveleau** · February 25th, 2003, 06:27 PM

You can get an extra NIC and put it in one of the systems nearest the cable modem. Then run the second NIC's ethernet cable to the other machine and install internet sharing.
If you get a router, which is the preferred way to go, I would suggest getting one with a built in switch, not a hub. A switch will give each system more bandwith since a hub takes the bandwith given and divides it between the two machines. A switch gives both units the full (or close to it) bandwith potential.

Dave

**agathodaimon** · February 25th, 2003, 06:28 PM

yeah, definately a router.
I've got one running two computers in seperate rooms and never experience any slow-downs or problems with it.

It's a D-Link brand... but I forgot the model number.

**rpertusio** · February 25th, 2003, 06:28 PM

Good advice, Dave

**tmx468** · February 25th, 2003, 06:35 PM

Stick with the brands D-Link or Netgear, and you can't go wrong!

**implexant** · February 25th, 2003, 06:46 PM

i'll go ahead and suggest the DLink DI-408

-Chris

**kruseman** · February 26th, 2003, 12:05 AM

are there any 2 port ones? thanks for all the suggestions so far

Thanks
kruseman

**PresterJohn** · February 26th, 2003, 12:10 AM

since the 4 port models are the most common, they're the cheapest as well. i've never seen a 2 port router or hub...

**PartsMan** · February 26th, 2003, 12:12 AM

Originally posted by rpertusio
..... The router will only pull 1 IP address, and 'distribute' it to computers connected to it.

A router might cost a bit more, but you may end up saving money by not needing a 2nd IP from your cable company.

Dang, and all this time I've been paying ........ but the mail and stuff history is **completely** separate ... is that still true with the router app you are suggesting?

**fyxxer32** · February 26th, 2003, 12:12 AM

I am very happy with my D-Link 704, 4 port . However I wish I would have gotten the 704P ,P= print sharing model, makes sharing a printer much easier. All i ever see are 4 ports models.

**The Terk** · February 26th, 2003, 12:49 AM

yea, mainly all you will see are 4,6,8,10... port hubs/switches... because most "networking" is done with 4+ computers... and they wouldnt sell to many 2 ports because there just arent that many people looking for a network with just 2 computers... so get 4, and maybe your buddies can come and yall can have a lan or somethin?

**Siliconjunkie** · February 26th, 2003, 01:03 AM

Originally posted by daveleau
I would suggest getting one with a built in switch, not a hub. A switch will give each system more bandwith since a hub takes the bandwith given and divides it between the two machines. A switch gives both units the full (or close to it) bandwith potential.

Switch and hub will both provide the same amount of bandwidth. The big thing that they do is avoid collisions by only sending traffic to the port the destination machine is on. This will mean a slight increase in available bandwidth, but most machines cant fill a 100 m/b pipe if they try anyhow. The only bandwidth gains would be if machines on ports 1 and 2 were talking and so were 3 and 4. But, again this wouldnt really be noticeable and consumer switches probably couldnt deal with moving an effective 400 m/b of data anyhow. Enterprise level switches have a "non blocking" backplane that can handle every port moving at full speed without making others wait. Switches make alot of sense in large networks, but are more of a gimmick in a home LAN. Switches also make sniffing nearly impossible which is more secure, but can be a pain.

**Nighthawk** · February 26th, 2003, 02:22 AM

At home I've got a DI-701 sharing Cable among 6 or so computers. I wish I'd been able to get the DI-704 (built-in 4-port switch) but it didn't exist.

I haven't had any problems with it. The latest firmware seems decent enough.

**PartsMan** · February 26th, 2003, 11:31 AM

Question: When using a router .... can emails, browsing history, favorites list, etc be kept completely secure from the other PCs and PC users in that home network ????

**rpertusio** · February 26th, 2003, 11:47 AM

Well..
For an INTERNAL (your home) network, a router will be 'as secure' as a hub.

It is relatively secure as is, assuming you don't leave your computer open with blank passwords and such. It is only as secure as the OS (and settings) of the computer.

For example, if you are running WinXP, your personal settings (email, history, fav,etc) are kept private, even from other users on the same computer (if any). Users on the same internal network will not be able to access your personal information, unless they know your username/password (and WinXP allows Classic authentication over the network).

If you were running Win9x, you would need file&pint sharing enabled for other users to access your files over the network (as well as sharing specific folders/drives on your computer)

As far as EXTERNAL network (internet) you are more secure than a hub, as a router acts as a firewall (by nature) with NAT.

Anything more specific to your question? What OS are you using?

**PartsMan** · February 26th, 2003, 11:52 AM

thanks rpertusio ~
what is NAT ?
And other than that you answered my question well !!!
Thanks !!

**rpertusio** · February 26th, 2003, 12:37 PM

NAT: Network Address Translation

Essentially, it is the process that is used to 'split' an 'external' IP address into many Class A (10.x.x.x) or class C (192.168.x.x) addresses. When a computer connected to your router asks for an IP address, it will be assigned a Class A or Class C address (by default) by DHCP via NAT.

You will see many routers touting "NAT Firewall Protection", which simply means a lot of the internal network inaccessable to the internet.

A downside of NAT, is that you may be protected too well from the internet, and online gaming wont always work (as well as running a server, or other internet programs). Luckily, you can specify 1 IP address (computer) to 'go around' NAT, but you are no longer protected by the NAT firewall.
'Going around' NAT is known as putting your computer/IP in the DMZ, or De-Militarized Zone. Most routers have this capability.

Another way to 'get around' NAT, is to enable port forwarding for specific ports/ranges. (ie.. forwarding port 80 will allow people to access a web server you are running.)

< drones on and on about NAT... >

- rp