Routers - Network facilities

I currently have a small home wired network via a switched hub with a
recently added WiFi Access Point connected in to my hub.

I hope to soon instal broadband ADSL and I am considering whether to
have one computer as a server or buy a router.

What I would like to ask is;

1. Do the ports enable file and print sharing as well as internet
sharing.
2. If I plug a WiFi Access Point (or my present switched hub) in to
one of the ports will that effectively give me any number of extra
independent internet connections.

Geoff Lane

In article <(E-Mail Removed)>, Geoff Lane
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>I currently have a small home wired network via a switched hub with a
>recently added WiFi Access Point connected in to my hub.
>
>I hope to soon instal broadband ADSL and I am considering whether to
>have one computer as a server or buy a router.
>
>What I would like to ask is;
>
>1. Do the ports enable file and print sharing as well as internet
>sharing.
>2. If I plug a WiFi Access Point (or my present switched hub) in to
>one of the ports will that effectively give me any number of extra
>independent internet connections.
>
>Geoff Lane

What ports are you asking about, Geoff ? Which device has them?

I'd buy a router. Since you already have a wireless access point, you
don't need a wireless router. A wired router would work fine, placed
between the ADSL modem and the wireless access point.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional - Windows Networking
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Steve Winograd's Networking FAQ
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm

In article <(E-Mail Removed)>, Geoff Lane
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>On Thu, 04 Sep 2003 11:11:04 -0600, "Steve Winograd [MVP]"
><(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>>>I currently have a small home wired network via a switched hub with a
>>>recently added WiFi Access Point connected in to my hub.
>>>
>>>I hope to soon instal broadband ADSL and I am considering whether to
>>>have one computer as a server or buy a router.
>>>
>>>What I would like to ask is;
>>>
>>>1. Do the ports enable file and print sharing as well as internet
>>>sharing.
>>>2. If I plug a WiFi Access Point (or my present switched hub) in to
>>>one of the ports will that effectively give me any number of extra
>>>independent internet connections.
>
>>What ports are you asking about, Geoff ? Which device has them?
>
>The router - the ones I've seen are normally 4 ports.
>
>>I'd buy a router. Since you already have a wireless access point, you
>>don't need a wireless router. A wired router would work fine, placed
>>between the ADSL modem and the wireless access point.
>
>Thanks Steve.
>
>Geoff Lane

You're welcome, Geoff. The ports on a router are normal switch ports.
The computers connected to them have independent Internet access and
can also share files and printers. Connecting a wireless access point
to a router port does the same thing for computers with wireless
network cards. Connecting the uplink port of a hub or switch to a
router port gives additional connections.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional - Windows Networking
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Steve Winograd's Networking FAQ
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm

On Thu, 04 Sep 2003 22:38:26 -0600, "Steve Winograd [MVP]"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:


>>The router - the ones I've seen are normally 4 ports.
>>
>>>I'd buy a router. Since you already have a wireless access point, you
>>>don't need a wireless router. A wired router would work fine, placed
>>>between the ADSL modem and the wireless access point.

>You're welcome, Geoff. The ports on a router are normal switch ports.
>The computers connected to them have independent Internet access and
>can also share files and printers. Connecting a wireless access point
>to a router port does the same thing for computers with wireless
>network cards. Connecting the uplink port of a hub or switch to a
>router port gives additional connections.

I've got a cheap Dynamode switch and I don't think it has an 'uplink',
at the moment my Wireless AP just plugs in to one of the ports, all
works fine.

If I get the router I assume I could get a crossover wire to connect
my switch to the router.

Geoff Lane