Need advice for purchasing a hub...

[FearoftheNight]

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.

 

[SpunkyJones]

A switch, you want a switch. Hubs are evil, dont waste money on a hub. Something from Linksys or netgear should be fine.

 

[imported_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.

 

[Zugzwang152]

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.

 

[zimu]

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.

 

[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.

 

[Kaido]

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 🙂

 

[Markfw]

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.