A switch or a router for my computer??

[felixe]

Hi Guys,

I hope someone can give some advice:
We now have 2 computers (both desktops with network cards) and want to link them both to the cable broadband, only mine is currently linked. They are 6m apart and I don't want a wireless network.
So, what is the difference between a switch and a router? :confused:
Do I need a router, this is what is being pushed on me by salesmen, or can I use a switch to share the connection?:confused:
Here is hoping some IT boffins can help out.

Regards,
Felixe.:)

[Daddles]

You don't need either. My computer and my son's are networked via a cable. Broadband plugs into my computer. He reads the interner across the network. No problems. Both computers run XP, but before the lad got his new beast, he had WinMe (twas less hassle to set up believe it or not).

Richard

[scooter]

Absolute novice at this networking stuff, Felixe, but I am under the impression that 2 computers with net. cards can just be linked using a "crossover cable".

Wait for the experts to comment though. :)


Cheers...............Sean, empty vessels make the most noise

[felixe]

Thanks daddles and scooter,
I am new at this networking stuff as well. Daddles, what cable did you use and how did you configure the computers, and can both run the net at the same time with no loss of performance?

[chrisb691]

You can share the network connection as Daddles says, but the disadvantage is that the host computer (your's) needs to be on so that the other computer can connect to the internet.

I would suggest that you go with a 4 port router. The router does the internet connection, and you, and your son, set up with the router's address as your gateway. This means that the 2 pc's can connect to the internet individually.

Make sure you get a router with an inbuilt firewall, which will enhance the security on the network (hardware firewall is much better than a software one). If you get a router with a printer port, it will allow you to netwok the printer as well, :)

[Gumby]

I have bigpond cable and a D-Link Broadband router (Model DI-704P). The cable modem plugs into the router, not your computer as it is now. The router establishes the internet connection and then you can connect any computer individually to it via one of the 4 ports in the back. The router has a firewall and assigns the ip addresses to any computer attached to it. If you use Richards solution you will always have to go through the computer connected to the internet and it must stay on for the second machine to stay connected. It also chews up rescources on the host computer. A broadband router, designed to be compatible with a cable connection is your best choice.

As for cables, if you are connecting both to the router, then normal cables are what you want. You only need a cross over cable if you are connectiong directly to the other computer (which would need 2 network cards in it in that case)
Edit:
(Sorry Chris, I was typing away and by the time I sent the reply, you'd covered it nicely. )

[Cliff Rogers]

Depends on how yours is already connected.
If you have an ADSL or Cable modem that is plugged into your PC via a USB port, then you can hook the 2 PCs together with a crossover LAN cable & 'share' the internet on the PC that is connected to the modem.

If your modem connects to you PC via the LAN socket & it only has one LAN outlet, then you will need a switch. (has multiple LAN sockets linked together).
If your modem has a LAN socket on it, chances are that it is already a Router with a Firewall built in.

What is the brand & model number of the modem you have.

(I know modem is a loose term but I'm using it 'cos I can't see the setup).

Very roughly...
Modem = Interface between outside world & your equipment.
Router = 2 LAN interfaces on different IP addresses. (used to keep the internet off your local network but allows your local network to access the internet)
Switch = multiple LAN interfaces on one IP address range. (Used to connect all your equipment together in a local area network)

[chrisb691]

I have bigpond cable and a D-Link Broadband router (Model DI-704P). The cable modem plugs into the router, not your computer as it is now. The router establishes the internet connection and then you can connect any computer individually to it via one of the 4 ports in the back. The router has a firewall and assigns the ip addresses to any computer attached to it. If you use Richards solution you will always have to go through the computer connected to the internet and it must stay on for the second machine to stay connected. It also chews up rescources on the host computer. A broadband router, designed to be compatible with a cable connection is your best choice.

As for cables, if you are connecting both to the router, then normal cables are what you want. You only need a cross over cable if you are connectiong directly to the other computer (which would need 2 network cards in it in that case)

Edit:
(Sorry Chris, I was typing away and by the time I sent the reply, you'd covered it nicely. )

:D :D :D :D :D I must be typing faster these days.......normally I'm the one that gets there second.

[felixe]

The network card is a mavell yukon 88E8001/8003/8010 PCI Gigabit ethernet controller and the modem is a motorola surfboard SB5101i which comes standard with optusnet cable modem hookup.
I am looking to run the computers independently through the cable modem.
So far the only thing I can conclude is that I need either a router or a switch.
Is the difference between the two the fact that with a switch both computers run off one IP address, and with a router they have seperate IP addresses and a firewall?
If so, what difference do multiple IP addresses have over a single one? Is running defender, windows xp firewall and/or trend pc cillan firewall sufficient for my security or should I look at the router with firewall, and if so which router is recommended (thanks for your recommendation gumby!)
Does a router and/or a switch allow file sharing between computers?
So many bloody questions, but the guys at the local computer shops (including a dubious Ha#v%y Nor**an shop assistant) don't give out much advice unless it is to push their wares, I am happy to buy the equipment but want to be sure it is what I require.
Thanks to Cliff, Chris, Skew, gumby, scooter and daddles so far for your input, you are slowly educating me!

Regards,
Felixe.

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

I think you'll find that with Optus cable you'll need a router.

Both computers will have different addresses (whether manually spec'd or auto-assigned) so that they can file share. Although Optus can handle both on a switch, I believe it's their policy to not allow it. As far as they're concerned, only 1 'puta should connect a time. Don't quote me on any of this... but a quick glance at their fine print reinforces my belief.

A router works around this: the modem sees just 1 address from the router, and the router does the housework as to which PC asked for what.

Of course, I could be way off base. A few too many Irish whiskies for this time of night. [Urp!] :o

[Gumby]

You need a router so that it can connect directly to your internet modem. A switch will allow sharing but one computer will need to be connected to the modem and then cabled separately to either a switch via a standard network cable or to the second computer via a cross-over cable. What you describe you want requires a broadband modem. I'm on Bigpond so i'm not sure if the model I have will connect to optus. I don't buy this sort of stuff from Hardly Normal. I have a great local computer shop and if I have any probs, I can talk to them and they listen. Go to Hardly Normal and you'll just get a repair docket.

So, sus out a shop locally and explain what you want. A router compatible with Optus broadband, a cable to go from the router into the modem, a cable to each computer from the ports on the back of the router. You just follow the instructions, have the computers set to acquire IP addresses automatically and away you go.

The router will have a firewall but i still run PC Cillin on both comps. You still need virus protection. If the kids are using one, you'll need some good Adware, spyware protection as well. For that I use ewido (you can download it and get free trial for 30 days - but seems good to me).

If you really want a bit more info, you can PM me and I'll send you my phone number (or Skype details - that's a free call :))

[chrisb691]

Something like this (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/D-Link-DI-704P-Ethernet-Broadband-Router-Printer-Server_W0QQitemZ190006643933QQihZ009QQcategoryZ20323QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) would be good (IMO).

For anti virus, I like the TrendMicro suite. I bought 2 copies from this guy (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Trend-Micro-PC-Cillin-2006-Antivirus-NEW-inc-TAX-INV_W0QQitemZ170006829386QQihZ007QQcategoryZ3805QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem), and both were genuine products, and I've registered both with Trend.

[Gumby]

Something like this (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/D-Link-DI-704P-Ethernet-Broadband-Router-Printer-Server_W0QQitemZ190006643933QQihZ009QQcategoryZ20323QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) would be good (IMO).

For anti virus, I like the TrendMicro suite. I bought 2 copies from this guy (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Trend-Micro-PC-Cillin-2006-Antivirus-NEW-inc-TAX-INV_W0QQitemZ170006829386QQihZ007QQcategoryZ3805QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem), and both were genuine products, and I've registered both with Trend.

OMG ! I just paid $70 for a copy of that Trend Micro suite :( Why didn't I check ebay first :mad:

[felixe]

Thanks Guys, that router you recommended is the same one Gumby has, I am going to go with this suggestion, thanks for the help.

Regards,
Felixe

[zathras]

Gumby was pretty much on the money.

The switch just lets multiple machines talk to each other.

The router however will allow masquerading which means all the different machines, with their unique numbers, will be magically transformed into a single address to talk to the optus server over the broadband link, which is what you need.

You can get seperate modems and routers and switches, but for home the best option is the bundled 4 port modem which has it all bundled in.

[Cliff Rogers]

G'day.

You only need a switch.

I did a search on your Motorola & snipped this from the specs....

• USB and Ethernet connectivity simplifies installation
• Compatible with Windows® 95/98/2000/Me/NT/XP, Mac, Linux and UNIX
• Supports up to 32 users (1 via USB and 31 via Ethernet or 32 users on Ethernet)

Connect the switch to the Ethernet port & then connect your PCs to the switch.

Cheaper than buying a router.

[Gumby]

Good effort Cliff. My modem the SB1500, an older version with no built-in routing ability. Hence the need for my D-link. The later models do the whole job and it seems you have one of those.

[felixe]

Hi Cliff and Gumby,
as a switch will do the job, I found this one at a shop around the corner from me, http://www.pcshopper.com.au/product.php?productid=44249&cat=0&page=1 Will this do. How does this affect the IP addresses and firewall (both of which I have little understanding other than a "hardware" firewall is better than software)?

Regards,
Felixe.

[felixe]

or maybe this one, 'cause it goes faster? http://www.pcshopper.com.au/product.php?productid=43278&cat=0&page=1

Or is this overkill?

And another question (sorry!) i want the modem/router to be filtered through my UPS for surge protection, so should be plug it into the UPS before or after plugging into the router or switch?. We have seperate UPS systems for each computer so either is an option.

[Gumby]

I have a policy of buying the fastest and best, as long as the cost isn't prohibitive. I find that I stay a bit more up to date that way. However, you are limited by what speed your internet connection comes through the cable. For instance, no matter how fast the switch, if you are accessing a site which takes 15 seconds to load, then it will take 15 seconds to load regardless of the switch speed. Bigpond cable is fast but it takes time to access sites. Not like a dial-up or anything, but it isn't instant either. The computer and switch are able to handle much faster times but can't do it if the data isn't there in the first place. (Hope this is making sense - jump in here Cliff 'cos I'm only a home self taught nerd :) - no expert by any means)

I have cheap switches (cost around $30) at work where we run an adsl router/modem connected to the switch which then feeds the data to a number of computers. They work fine.

If it's a shop around the corner, buy the one you want on the basis that you can take it back if it doesn't work. That's why I like dealing with those small shops, they are happy to play ball and talk to you. You coiuld even take your modem in there just to be sure.

The firewall you set up with your software will be sufficient. The switch doesn't have one built in like a router does. I'm not sure if the modem/router you have has got a firewall or not but if you get TrendMicro from that guy on the internet (bloody cheap at around $30), put a copy on both computers, you'll be firewalled anyway. (turn off the XP firewall - it stinks).

I'm a bit confused by the power surge one- not sure what you mean but I have all my computer stuff on a surge protected power board.

[felixe]

Gumby, the UPS is just like the surger protector but has a battery as well, and is designed to combat, power drops, brown outs etc, so if the power goes funny it kicks over to battery backup and does not fry the computer.
I had a surge protector but it did not save me from the crappy power supply from energex up here in QLD.
Basically, I am wondering should I plug the modem line into the surge filter on my UPS/surge protector before or after plugging into the switch?

Regards,
Felixe.

[Gumby]

I can't help with that on mate - I don't have that set up. I've had a couple of pwer failures here recently. It can cause corruption on the computer bt so far it's been OK. I think XP is better for this than the old W98 was. I haven't seen a blue screen of death for quite a while. :eek:

I do have to reset the router though. Just the last few days I loose the connection and checking the lights on the router, it has dropped off. The modem lights indicate that it's fine. I reset the router and away we go again. That's bloody annoying and i have no idea what the problem is. I've been told it's noit at my end but the modem stays connected so I'm not so sure.

[felixe]

Thanks for the help Gumby.