Best way to setup 7 computers on shared dsl?

[Passions]

Lol my friends are so cheap, but they want to know how to do this the cheapest way.
Since it is 7 computers, I suggested a router cuz then they do not need to buy extra ip's right.
And plus with hubs, wont there be alot of collisions? So whats the best way? Is this all right?

1. Hub: Too many collisions, Have to buy extra ip's

2. Router: Expensive but the most easiest way

3. Setup server/client with windows?

 

[ElDiablo]

If you have an unused computer lying around (doubtful if they're cheap), you can use that as a router with the correct software (firewall and internet connection sharing with NAT).

Otherwise, buy one of the cheap routers/gatways (SMC, D-LINK, and LINKSYS all make these) and a nice 8 port switch. Switches aren't that much more expensive than hubs and they allow all ports ~full bandwidth whereas with a hub you all share 100 mbit of bandwidth total. Switches also remove alot of collisions so you wouldn't have to worry about that.

A cheap way to do this is make everyone chip in 20 bucks or something and then everyone gets to enjoy it (I did this )

Drew

 

[Passions]

is it true that with hubs u still only get 1 ip right? cuz thats what i always thought, but then my firned said otherwise.

 

[BCYL]

How many IPs you get depends on your ISP, doesn't matter what equipment you are using...

The cheapest way would be setting up a network between all 7 PCs, have a server running NAT software, and all 7 PCs sharing that 1 IP from your ISP...

Router would be way easier to setup, but more expensive...

In both cases you only need 1 IP from your ISP, because essentially you are sharing that 1 IP between all 7 PCs...

I would really suggest getting a switch instead of a hub... it will eliminate a lot of the data collisions, and possibly speed things up a bit... Price difference is minimal between a hub and a switch anyways...