Ethernet...router.....what's the difference?

[JackMDS]

It will take 22min. to read the content if the following links, and than you would ask the right question!

Link: How I connect two computers to exchange files (No Network or Internet Sharing)?

Link: AnandTech - FAQ. Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing

Link: AnandTech - FAQ. Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...?

Ignore the prices in the links above. The same or similar hardware can be found for 60%-90% less.

Link: Diagram of Broadband Connection with Cable/DSL Router.

 

[jonmullen]

Ethernet = The communication and cabling standard.

Cat5/5e/6 = The most common cable types.

NIC = Network Interface Card...It connects the computer to the network for either file/print sharing or internet connection shareing.

Network Card, Ethernet Card = NIC.

Switch = Device used to innerconnect several clients. Like a HUB, but unlike a hub is able to opperate at speeds faster than 10mbps most standard switches will do 100mbps full duplex.

Router = Usually a Netword Address Translation (NAT) device used to route several clients through a connection with one ip address. All the clients on the local side are assigned an ip in the reserved local group, usually 192.168.0.x Then communicate with the router who reroutes the packets through the Wide Area Network (Outside) connection..