Can i use a hub to split my DSL connection?

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JEDI

JEDI

Lifer
Sep 25, 2001
29,391
2,738
126
i'm planning to get DSL. i have a laptop, and 2 computers in my room.

I keep hearing that you have to use a router. Why not a hub? All you need is to split the signal, right?

Please enlighten me :)
 
V

Viper GTS

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
38,107
433
136
Depends on what kind of "modem" you have.

If it includes routing capabilities, then a hub may work.

Otherwise you will need a router.

Viper GTS
 
her209

her209

No Lifer
Oct 11, 2000
56,336
11
0
No, you need to use a router.

The only way you can use the hub is if you configure one of your computers to be a router.
 
K

Kelvrick

Lifer
Feb 14, 2001
18,422
5
81
That, or you can hook the DSL up to your main computer, have it constantly on, and plug in a 2nd network card to run internet sharing with the 2nd computer.

<== monkey dance
 
E

Electric Amish

Elite Member
Oct 11, 1999
23,578
1
0
Hubs don't split. They have very, very little internal intelligence. They broadcast.

The DSL connection will come into a modem/router. Then you should hook a hub/switch to the router.

amish
 
Bulk Beef

Bulk Beef

Diamond Member
Aug 14, 2001
5,466
0
76
Just get a router. You can find them in HD for 40-50 bucks most of the time.
 
JEDI

JEDI

Lifer
Sep 25, 2001
29,391
2,738
126
ahh..but WHY can't i use a hub?

my limited understanding is that DSL comes from Verizon into the jack on my wall. It travels through the CAT5 cable directly into my computer.

Instead of going directly into my computer, can't it go into a hub, then connect 3 lan cables from the hub to my laptop and 2 desktops?

What does the router do?
 
O

Oaf357

Senior member
Sep 2, 2001
956
0
0
A hub will split the signal, you're right about that. But the real problem is IP addresses. If you have two PCs and one IP address something won't jive.

I would highly recommend a router.
 
Kelemvor

Kelemvor

Lifer
May 23, 2002
16,928
8
81
In really basic terms, imagine one PC wants to go to 1 web page and another PC wants to go to another. THe hub starts getting signals back from the pages but woudln't know what signals to send to which PC. That's where a router comes in. It ROUTEs the signals to the proper PCs. Now you could have a hub plugged into the router that's plugged into the DSL/Cable line, but you still need the router.
 
JEDI

JEDI

Lifer
Sep 25, 2001
29,391
2,738
126
ahh..thx franky

so i can use a switch too?

ie: cat5 cable from walljack to switch. 3 cat5 cables from switch to laptop and 2 desktops?
 
Kelemvor

Kelemvor

Lifer
May 23, 2002
16,928
8
81
A switch is kind of in between a hub and a router. You need the router either way (unless you do ICS but then you always have to have a PC turned on) but the switch is a bit more advanced than a hub. But for a simple network, a hub is probably fine and probably cheaper. I use a 4 port router and have a 4 port hub in case I get another PC.
 
JackMDS

JackMDS

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 25, 1999
29,539
418
126
Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
A switch is kind of in between a hub and a router.
Click to expand...
From a point of view of Internet sharing, Switch or a Hub, make no different what so ever they both are NOT WAN Routing devices.

In order to use few computers on the same connection.

You need few IPs to split between the computers.

You either rent more IPs from your provider, or you use a Routing agent to split one IP.


 
P

Pauli

Senior member
Oct 14, 1999
836
0
0
Yes, JackMDS is right again. You can use a hub. It will only work IF you have multiple static IP addresses from your ISP. If your ISP only provides DHCP, I suppose if you have only one computer on at a time, it should work OK. Otherwise, you'll need a router/switch which will handle the assignment of dynamic IPs to your systems.
 
F

Fuzznuts

Senior member
Nov 7, 2002
449
0
0
you could use a switch if it was a layer 3 switch but these aint cheap ;)

get a router and be done with it :)
 
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