Getting started in the world of broadband...questions

[valkyrie]

I'm about ready to take the plunge into broadband (getting my @home cable installed within the week), and I need some advice. Unfortunately, I've been searching the web for a few hours, and still am unsure of what direction to go...hub...switch...router?

Here's the deal. I run one PC in my house, and I'll be adding a Turtle Beach Audiotron to that, so I need to know the best way to attack my home network (since the Audiotron requires an IP). I don't plan on adding another PC to my Home Network for another 8 months at least.

So, how does this work? Should I buy a simple HUB, and run the cable (from the wall) to the HUB, then one to my PC and one to the Audiotron? I'm concerned about security, so is that still the best option? I need to use TCP/IP and I can set passwords, but I'm not sure that's the best way to go. I currently have one 3com Network card, plus whatever hardware AT&T will give me for the modem.

Can someone help me understand all this and make the best choice so I can buy the hardware I need before the Audiotron and cable modem show up next week?

Thanks guys!

 

[obenton]

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/

 

[valkyrie]

Thanks, but I'm still confused. My situation doesn't seem to be listed. I want to only connect one computer to the ISP network, but I do need a second IP address for the audiotron (which would be the same as having another computer connected to the network, but not 'net accessible').

Can I do that with a hub? (Is this the way I'd do it?)

----In Cable----Cable Modem-----HUB------(two lines)----PC & Audiotron (one on each line)

Will that work if I'm not paying the ISP for two IP addresses?

Is there another way?

I appreciate the help.

 

[jjm]

You could try two network cards. One for your internal network, and the other for the cable connection.

You might also just set up one network for the PC and the Audiotron, and run your cable connection to a USB port on your computer.