Not a Hub but a Switch, Whoa do I need a Router with a Switch?

[762nato]

Ok I been on the side watching to see what I though was needed to get. to do this now I'm confused.
I have three PC's, one connected to web Bell sympatico High speed to network card. What do I need so the other two can share the net connection?
I am seeking expert guidence.
Thanks in Advance

 

[BCYL]

You can share the connection with either a switch or a router... with the switch you would have 1 PC connected to the internet, and run software NAT on it... with the router, you can just plug and set everything up in 5 mins, no need for 1 PC to be the server...

With the router it is a more easy but expensive approach... with just a switch it is cheaper, but more troublesome...

However, if you buy a 1-port router, you will still need to buy a switch to connect all your PCs to your router... You won't need a switch when you buy a multiple-port router (eg. 4-port router) cuz you probably have enough ports for all your PCs in your home network...

Hope this makes things clear for you...

 

[WoundedWallet]

That means you can either:

- buy a router with a switch in it.
- buy a router and a switch.
- buy a router and a hub.
- buy a switch and configure a connection sharing thingy.
- buy a hub and configure a connection sharing thingy.

I think this is listed by price, the bottom being the cheapest. I'm just not sure about the prices of the first two options, but I think they're very close.

 

[soho]

Switches and routers have two different functions. Switches operate at Layer 2 (mac address)and are really multiport bridges (ie no routing capability). Routers operate at Layer 3 (ip address) and connect different networks together. In this case connecting your home network to the world network (internet). That's the difference in a nutshell.

More info on your current setup is needed:
What OS are you running on the computer that is connected to the High speed line?
Are you running any servrs?
Do you have a local DHCP server? (if you don't know then the answer is no)
What other protocols are your running besides tcp/ip?
What are your internal ip addresses?

with the answer to these questions I can tell you the best way to connect your network for the least amount of money....