networking 6 computers cheaply, please, with dsl

[dolph]

would it be possible for me to buy a 1 port router and an 8 port hub, and have that work? or do i have to suck it up and buy the 8 port router?

 

[y2kc]

that should work fine as long as the router does NAT

 

[reicherb]

Don't buy a hub, buy a switch. The price is the same and the performance is significantly better.

 

[Quad]

i agree with reicherb
definitely get yourself a switch. the performance boost will be very helpful with your setup. the 1 port router will do just fine

 

[nettech98]

Don't forget you lose a port on the hub/switch when you connect the router!

 

[heartsurgeon]

you can get the linksys 8-port switch/router for about $138 (@ bu*.com)

or you can get the linksys 4 port switch/router about $77.00 (this typically goes on sale somewhere for even cheaper),
gang a 5 port linksys switch to it to get a total of 7 ports (you lose a port on each switch when you gang them together) for $38.00
total $116.00.

 

[skyking]

If you want a firewall machine, you can build a freeBSD 486 box and spend about a half day programming it. Works well, and the 486 is about free for the taking nowdays.🙂