Just got broadband, can I use a switch for 2+ PC's or do I need arouter?

I finally am hooked up to high speed (things come slow to us rural
folks..) and I'm wondering if my existing Belkin network switch will do
the trick to hook up more than one PC, or do I now need to buy a router?

Can I use the switch, or do I have to put another NIC in my PC and use
it for a gateway? My internet is xplornet wireless, but I have the
ethernet/box going right to the switch rather than my PC and I can
connect fine with my main PC, but for some reason I can't with the other
two pc's. Actually I didnt thing hooking direct from the receiver to the
network switch that my pc is hooked up to would work, but it seems to
just fine..

BTW, I do plan on buying a router with wireless capability for my
laptop, but not sure when my next trip to the city is. I am looking at
linksys and d-link offerings right now, any suggestions?

You need a router.


"gs" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:00zxg.160790$S61.84424@edtnps90...
>I finally am hooked up to high speed (things come slow to us rural folks..)
>and I'm wondering if my existing Belkin network switch will do the trick to
>hook up more than one PC, or do I now need to buy a router?
>
> Can I use the switch, or do I have to put another NIC in my PC and use it
> for a gateway? My internet is xplornet wireless, but I have the
> ethernet/box going right to the switch rather than my PC and I can connect
> fine with my main PC, but for some reason I can't with the other two pc's.
> Actually I didnt thing hooking direct from the receiver to the network
> switch that my pc is hooked up to would work, but it seems to just fine..
>
> BTW, I do plan on buying a router with wireless capability for my laptop,
> but not sure when my next trip to the city is. I am looking at linksys and
> d-link offerings right now, any suggestions?

How are you connecting to the broadband?

Actually in windows XP, you can have your dsl modem or cable modem
going directly into your primary pc, and you can click on the
properties of the connection in My Network Connections, and allow
others to share this connection to the internet.

However, it is not as stable as with a router, and often takes hours of
playing with the settings to actually get the two computers to share
the connection. My time is worth more than that to me, considering you
can get a discounted Belkin 4 port router for $20 (or at least I
recently did at Staples). Trying to get even more computers to share
that one host computer's internet access is sheer madness.

"You need a router" was a good answer from a practical point of view.

Even if you configure the machines to share the connection, the only
protection from the outside world is the Windows Firewall (which is basic at
most). A decent router will give you the connectivity you want and the
security you need. "You need a router."


"Jim" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) oups.com...
> How are you connecting to the broadband?
>
> Actually in windows XP, you can have your dsl modem or cable modem
> going directly into your primary pc, and you can click on the
> properties of the connection in My Network Connections, and allow
> others to share this connection to the internet.
>
> However, it is not as stable as with a router, and often takes hours of
> playing with the settings to actually get the two computers to share
> the connection. My time is worth more than that to me, considering you
> can get a discounted Belkin 4 port router for $20 (or at least I
> recently did at Staples). Trying to get even more computers to share
> that one host computer's internet access is sheer madness.
>
> "You need a router" was a good answer from a practical point of view.
>

<snip>

Thanks guys, I did have the main pc configured to share my dial up
connection with 2 other pc's, and it did work, but was a p.i.t.a. as no
matter what I could not get them to quit dialing the connection and the
main pc had to be turned on.

In any event, turns out I am going to the city tomorrow so I can pick up
a router. I want one with wireless as well so I can use it with my
laptop, right now I'm looking at linksys models around $80-$110 range
that have wireless and 4 ethernet ports, as well as the new wireless-n
for about 200$, but I have to see if my new thinkpad is even compatible
with to take advantage of this.

Any other pointers or suggestions for a good router?

tia

The Linsksys is the way to go.


"gs" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:XJAxg.133318$A8.1839@clgrps12...
> <snip>
>
> Thanks guys, I did have the main pc configured to share my dial up
> connection with 2 other pc's, and it did work, but was a p.i.t.a. as no
> matter what I could not get them to quit dialing the connection and the
> main pc had to be turned on.
>
> In any event, turns out I am going to the city tomorrow so I can pick up a
> router. I want one with wireless as well so I can use it with my laptop,
> right now I'm looking at linksys models around $80-$110 range that have
> wireless and 4 ethernet ports, as well as the new wireless-n for about
> 200$, but I have to see if my new thinkpad is even compatible with to take
> advantage of this.
>
> Any other pointers or suggestions for a good router?
>
> tia

I agree, but get one that can run DD-WRT (WRT54GL if I remember right.) It's an
open source firmware that turns a basic Linksys router into a powerhouse router
(tons of features.)

Also, avoid buying anything with 802.11n right now since the standard hasn't
been finalized.

"Scott M." <s-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> The Linsksys is the way to go.
>
>
> "gs" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:XJAxg.133318$A8.1839@clgrps12...
>> <snip>
>>
>> Thanks guys, I did have the main pc configured to share my dial up connection
>> with 2 other pc's, and it did work, but was a p.i.t.a. as no matter what I
>> could not get them to quit dialing the connection and the main pc had to be
>> turned on.
>>
>> In any event, turns out I am going to the city tomorrow so I can pick up a
>> router. I want one with wireless as well so I can use it with my laptop,
>> right now I'm looking at linksys models around $80-$110 range that have
>> wireless and 4 ethernet ports, as well as the new wireless-n for about 200$,
>> but I have to see if my new thinkpad is even compatible with to take
>> advantage of this.
>>
>> Any other pointers or suggestions for a good router?
>>
>> tia
>
>

Can't find the DD-WRT, and there are several WRT54Gx'x out there, for
example on
here:http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/ca...affixedcode=WW

will that model use the open source firmware?

Mike Lowery wrote:
> I agree, but get one that can run DD-WRT (WRT54GL if I remember right.) It's an
> open source firmware that turns a basic Linksys router into a powerhouse router
> (tons of features.)
>
> Also, avoid buying anything with 802.11n right now since the standard hasn't
> been finalized.
>
> "Scott M." <s-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> The Linsksys is the way to go.
>>
>>
>> "gs" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:XJAxg.133318$A8.1839@clgrps12...
>>> <snip>
>>>
>>> Thanks guys, I did have the main pc configured to share my dial up connection
>>> with 2 other pc's, and it did work, but was a p.i.t.a. as no matter what I
>>> could not get them to quit dialing the connection and the main pc had to be
>>> turned on.
>>>
>>> In any event, turns out I am going to the city tomorrow so I can pick up a
>>> router. I want one with wireless as well so I can use it with my laptop,
>>> right now I'm looking at linksys models around $80-$110 range that have
>>> wireless and 4 ethernet ports, as well as the new wireless-n for about 200$,
>>> but I have to see if my new thinkpad is even compatible with to take
>>> advantage of this.
>>>
>>> Any other pointers or suggestions for a good router?
>>>
>>> tia
>>
>
>

I don't think you need to worry about open source firmware at all. You
don't sound like you need all that Mike Lowrey is talking about. A simple
Linksys router with 4 port switch built-in is perfect for what you need.


"gs" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:Iv5yg.63778$B91.38865@edtnps82...
> Can't find the DD-WRT, and there are several WRT54Gx'x out there, for
> example on
> here:http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/ca...affixedcode=WW
>
> will that model use the open source firmware?
>
> Mike Lowery wrote:
>> I agree, but get one that can run DD-WRT (WRT54GL if I remember right.)
>> It's an open source firmware that turns a basic Linksys router into a
>> powerhouse router (tons of features.)
>>
>> Also, avoid buying anything with 802.11n right now since the standard
>> hasn't been finalized.
>>
>> "Scott M." <s-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> The Linsksys is the way to go.
>>>
>>>
>>> "gs" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:XJAxg.133318$A8.1839@clgrps12...
>>>> <snip>
>>>>
>>>> Thanks guys, I did have the main pc configured to share my dial up
>>>> connection with 2 other pc's, and it did work, but was a p.i.t.a. as no
>>>> matter what I could not get them to quit dialing the connection and the
>>>> main pc had to be turned on.
>>>>
>>>> In any event, turns out I am going to the city tomorrow so I can pick
>>>> up a router. I want one with wireless as well so I can use it with my
>>>> laptop, right now I'm looking at linksys models around $80-$110 range
>>>> that have wireless and 4 ethernet ports, as well as the new wireless-n
>>>> for about 200$, but I have to see if my new thinkpad is even compatible
>>>> with to take advantage of this.
>>>>
>>>> Any other pointers or suggestions for a good router?
>>>>
>>>> tia
>>>
>>

DD-WRT:
http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

Look at the "supported devices" list.

You may not need DD-WRT but it's nice to know you have that option if your needs
change. I would avoid the WRT54G V5 router as discussed here:
http://www.tomsnetworking.com/2006/0..._lousy_router/


"gs" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:Iv5yg.63778$B91.38865@edtnps82...
> Can't find the DD-WRT, and there are several WRT54Gx'x out there, for example
> on
> here:http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/ca...affixedcode=WW
>
> will that model use the open source firmware?
>
> Mike Lowery wrote:
>> I agree, but get one that can run DD-WRT (WRT54GL if I remember right.) It's
>> an open source firmware that turns a basic Linksys router into a powerhouse
>> router (tons of features.)
>>
>> Also, avoid buying anything with 802.11n right now since the standard hasn't
>> been finalized.
>>
>> "Scott M." <s-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> The Linsksys is the way to go.
>>>
>>>
>>> "gs" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:XJAxg.133318$A8.1839@clgrps12...
>>>> <snip>
>>>>
>>>> Thanks guys, I did have the main pc configured to share my dial up
>>>> connection with 2 other pc's, and it did work, but was a p.i.t.a. as no
>>>> matter what I could not get them to quit dialing the connection and the
>>>> main pc had to be turned on.
>>>>
>>>> In any event, turns out I am going to the city tomorrow so I can pick up a
>>>> router. I want one with wireless as well so I can use it with my laptop,
>>>> right now I'm looking at linksys models around $80-$110 range that have
>>>> wireless and 4 ethernet ports, as well as the new wireless-n for about
>>>> 200$, but I have to see if my new thinkpad is even compatible with to take
>>>> advantage of this.
>>>>
>>>> Any other pointers or suggestions for a good router?
>>>>
>>>> tia
>>>
>>