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Need advice for purchasing a hub...

FearoftheNight

Diamond Member
I'm looking for buy a hub so I can connect both my laptop and desktop to the internet and to share files between the two. Anything I need to look for or what kind of hub should I get? I've never bought one before so any opinions will be welcome.
 
A switch, you want a switch. Hubs are evil, dont waste money on a hub. Something from Linksys or netgear should be fine.
 
You want a router, not a hub.

The router connects to the internet, and then 4 computers connect to the router. You can share files and printers. The best router is D-link. Search message boards for the word router, and you'll find no messages with people having problems with a D-link. But you'll find lots of messages with linksys. I have the wired DI-604 and it works great.
 
Originally posted by: NoGodForMe
You want a router, not a hub.

The router connects to the internet, and then 4 computers connect to the router. You can share files and printers. The best router is D-link. Search message boards for the word router, and you'll find no messages with people having problems with a D-link. But you'll find lots of messages with linksys. I have the wired DI-604 and it works great.

if you read the topic summary correctly, the OP wants to connect to a dorm network, therefore a router is unneccessary. Do go with a switch though, it will make your life easier. D-Link has the cheapest, but were it me, I'd go with a FSXXX model from netgear, they have tough metal cases instead of the standard wimpy plastic ones.
 
Originally posted by: NoGodForMe
You want a router, not a hub.

The router connects to the internet, and then 4 computers connect to the router. You can share files and printers. The best router is D-link. Search message boards for the word router, and you'll find no messages with people having problems with a D-link. But you'll find lots of messages with linksys. I have the wired DI-604 and it works great.

i say the same thing.
a hub WILL work int he dorm situation as there is already a DHCP server. however, spend a few bucks more (and i mean a few, its practically the same price!) and get a router.

i'd go against d-link, i've had terrible luck with them. if you're making the investment, spend 50 bucks or so and get a netgear wireless 802.11G router, you'll thank me for it later cause you'll be able to use your laptop wirelessly either now or in the future.
 
I'm sorry what is the difference between a router, switch, and hub? Can someone explain this to me? Which one of these would be most easily and cheaply be bought from our fs/ft forums? Also I can't get a wireless router because my desktop doesn't have a wireless card.
 
Originally posted by: FearoftheNight
I'm sorry what is the difference between a router, switch, and hub? Can someone explain this to me? Which one of these would be most easily and cheaply be bought from our fs/ft forums? Also I can't get a wireless router because my desktop doesn't have a wireless card.

Here's it in a nutshell:

A hub lets you connect computers together. A switch also lets you connect computers together. A switch is better than a hub. If you only want to connect computers together, buy a switch.

If you want to be able to share files between the computers AND access the Internet, you'll want a router. A router has a switch built in. A router also has special stuff inside it to allow multiple computers to connect to the Internet through one connection. Based on what you said, you'll want to get a router.

Yes, you can get wireless! I just bought a wireless D-Link router...they have wired ports built in! My brother's laptop uses a PCMCIA card to access the wireless network, and the rest of the computers are all connected via CAT5 cable. In fact, there'a a great deal going on over at Buy.com - a D-Link wireless router WITH a wireless laptop card for only $20 after rebates. Click here to go there. The only other thing you'll need is a network card for your desktop computer (if it doesn't have one) and a CAT5 cable to connect it to the router. Edit: Here's a deal at Buy.com for a D-Link wireless router plus a wireless USB adapter...if your laptop doesn't have a PCMCIA slot, this may be a better option.

Feel free to PM me with any network questions. Cheers!

ps - if you do get the D-Link router, make sure to go into the router's setup page (192.168.0.1 in your browser) and change the WAN from "100mbps" to "10mbps"...I don't know if the wireless B router has that, but I just installed a wireless G router and it had that set by default (my cable modem does 10mbps, not 100, and the Internet connection didn't work until I talked to a tech and he told me to switch it over). Just a heads-up 🙂
 
As said before, a hub is dumb and inefficient, at least get a switch.

Router is actually a "bridge" and a dhcp server added to a switch.
Advantages of a router : Can keep your PC more secure from others on the network. Not exactly a firewall, but helps security. Can allow up to 254 (253?) computers connected to it on the LAN side, but the internet, or WAN side only sees the router.

Disadvantages : For gaming, can make using a gaming server difficult inside the LAN.

I vote for the router unless you need one of your PC's to run a gaming server.
 
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