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can a switch be used to share a cable modem?

J

jeff2k8

Junior Member
i am buying another pc and naturally i wanna set up internet on it
so as the title says,can it be done with a switch?
i never had one so i need a pro opinion
i prefer not buying a router if possible as i have no need
for the extra features,not to mention a switch is cheaper
my isp allows 3 ip's max so i wouldnt have a problem in that area
please advise,thx
 
wireless routers can be had for cheap, cheap enough to justify buying one over a switch in order to take advantage of the extra features it will provide.

JackMDS linked to this in another thread:
Newegg

its cheap to start with, and has a $20 rebate. for 10 bucks, why pass on the features?
 
Not to mention the added security of having a hardware Firewall inline with your computers. But to answer your question.. Yes, you could put a switch in between the modem and computers and it would work. But you would need more then 1 public ip, which you have 3.
 
Welcome to AnandTech's Networking Forum.


As mentioned above you need a Cable/DSL Router to share an Interent connection.
If you do not care about Wireless or your Wireless needs are simple you can get this.

TrendNet Wireless Router $9.99 after rebate, http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16833156038

Wireless Cable/DSL Router is a combo device that includes Routing circuits, Switch, and a Wireless Access Point.

Routing circuit is an electronic circuit that directs Internet connection to few computers using one shared connection (like a Cop directing traffic).

A switch is a device that acts as a center to connect few computers together (like hallways that connect between rooms in the house).

An Access Point is a device that allows replacing the wires that connect computer to a Network; it is sort of a Wireless switch.
When you do a LAN transfer you are using only the Switch which is a transparent device to the Network.
 
Originally posted by: JackMDS

As mentioned above you need a Cable/DSL Router to share an interent connection.
Click to expand...

You don't need a Router to share a internet connection. Although it is the easiest way. This is only true if you have 1 Public ip. If you have multiple you can put a switch in between the modem and computer and give each computer a public IP. This Doesn't give you double the bandwidth but you do have 2 computers that can actively respond on the internet on a diffrent IP.
 
Originally posted by: NickOlsen8390
Originally posted by: JackMDS

As mentioned above you need a Cable/DSL Router to share an interent connection.
Click to expand...

You don't need a Router to share a internet connection. Although it is the easiest way. This is only true if you have 1 Public ip. If you have multiple you can put a switch in between the modem and computer and give each computer a public IP. This Doesn't give you double the bandwidth but you do have 2 computers that can actively respond on the internet on a diffrent IP.
Click to expand...
this also fully exposes both computers to the internet, and is not advisable in any configuration. for the OP, a router should be the only considered option...
 
Originally posted by: NickOlsen8390
Not to mention the added security of having a hardware Firewall inline with your computers.
Click to expand...

Hence this post.
The question wasn't "What is the pros and cons of using a switch insted of a router"
Yes, a router would be a better option in his case. But answering his question. Yes, It is possible to use a switch.
 
Originally posted by: NickOlsen8390
Originally posted by: NickOlsen8390
Not to mention the added security of having a hardware Firewall inline with your computers.
Click to expand...

Hence this post.
The question wasn't "What is the pros and cons of using a switch insted of a router"
Yes, a router would be a better option in his case. But answering his question. Yes, It is possible to use a switch.
Click to expand...
i see where you're coming from, but its not a question of what the OP was originally asking for. a lot of people come to this forum with certain assumptions because in reality, they dont know any better.

it should be our job as knowledgeable network posters to present the pros and cons regardless, because an informed user is always better than an ignorant one :heart:
 
Originally posted by: jlazzaro

it should be our job as knowledgeable network posters to present the pros and cons regardless, because an informed user is always better than an ignorant one :heart:
Click to expand...


Agreed.
 
answer to your question : Switch is possible, yes.

my opinion: get the cheap router, if you ever wanted to add more than 3 pc's down the road, you will have the option.

also, firewall, etc.


wireless too.
 
Originally posted by: NickOlsen8390
Hence this post.
The question wasn't "What is the pros and cons of using a switch insted of a router"
Yes, a router would be a better option in his case. But answering his question. Yes, It is possible to use a switch.
Click to expand...


Few years ago I would post this way.

With the combination of Wireless Router availability/price and the immense growth in Internet?s security problem it does not make sense to use few external IPs, or software Routing (ICS).

In addition when you use few external IPs you do not form a private Network. Your Network is the Internet and thus many usage of private LAN become unviable.

So when other alternatives pose No advantages, what is the point to mention them.


Mentioning the other alternatives is like mentioning Smoking to a person that looks to enhance his social interaction.
 
Here's another interesting element to check:
Many single port devices that are called "modems" are really a single port router.
Check to see if you have an IP address on the connected computer that begins with 10. or 192.168.
If it is one of those address ranges, you have a single port combination modem/router. A switch is what you want in that case.
If you want wireless, follw one of Jack's handy tutorials on using a router as an access point.
 
Originally posted by: skyking
Here's another interesting element to check:
Many single port devices that are called "modems" are really a single port router.
Check to see if you have an IP address on the connected computer that begins with 10. or 192.168.
If it is one of those address ranges, you have a single port combination modem/router. A switch is what you want in that case.
If you want wireless, follw one of Jack's handy tutorials on using a router as an access point.
Click to expand...

Yeah I was wondering about modems that outputted IP address' like that into the network (on your side).
 
Most DSL modems now-adays actually do have very simple routers built in to them. They perform the basic functions of a NAT, and that's it.

If you need anything fancy like a PAT or static NATs, though, you'll need to invest in a better router.
 
As JackMDS notes, putting a switch directly behind a Cable Modem is something that was common ten years ago. It puts every one of your PCs directly on the Internet, with all ports accessible. You'll be wide open to any OS or application exploits that are new or that you haven't patched for.
 
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