how to hook up five computers to one cable connection?

[gwlam12]

how do you hook up 5 computers to one cable connection? a router only has 4 ports. do i spend more to get an 8 port router? or do i hook up two routers?

 

[Garion]

You can get an 8-port router or you can use an Ethernet crossover cable to connect a separate switch to one router port. Don't ever use TWO routers together - That would cause some major problems unless you really know what you are doing.

- Jason

 

[PCHPlayer]

You don't even need a switch, just go out and get a 4 or 8 port hub. I've seen them for less than $10 at Fry's.

 

[Budman]

Originally posted by: PCHPlayer
You don't even need a switch, just go out and get a 4 or 8 port hub. I've seen them for less than $10 at Fry's.

Like PCHPlayer said, get yourself a cheap 4 port switch or hub,connnect 3 pcs to the router directly & on the 4th connection connect to the switch or hub then the other pcs to the new switch or hub.

personaly I would get a switch over a hub because they are faster.

 

[gwlam12]

cool, thanks a lot people

 

[gwlam12]

i am wondering now why u would need a router instead of just using a hub for everybody

 

[Reel]

Originally posted by: gwlam12
i am wondering now why u would need a router instead of just using a hub for everybody

A router (the kind referred to above) is going to hide the number of computers using a technique called NAT (Network Address Translation) or IP Masquerading. This basically makes it look to the outside world that there is only one computer on the cable connection. It figures out which traffic is meant to go to which computer on the inside.

A hub or switch just splits the connection and keeps all the computers visible. You would need an IP address for each computer in order to be able to have the hub or switch without the router. However, a hub or switch that is connected to the router would just expand the size of the router if it is connected right. The connections should be like this:

Internet --- Cable Jack ---- Cable Modem ---- Router --- Switches/hubs --- Your computers

 

[gwlam12]

thanks