Using hub to share cable instead of router.

[railer]

I'm running my cable modem through the uplink port on my lynksys 8 port 10/100 hub (it's actually a switch). Everything works OK initially (all 4 of my PC's can get onto the net simultaneously. Good pings in Q3, et) ,but after they sit idle for a bit (20 minutes - 1 hour or so), they lose their connection to the internet. A simple reboot is the cure, but it's a pain. Any ideas why? And if it's so easy to share cable with a switch or a hub, what's the point of getting a router? Thanks!

 

[ttn1]

This only works if your cable service allows you to pull multiple IP addresses.
Most companies charge more for extra IPs. My guess would be that your
cable company is not renewing your IPs to all your machines, because you
didn't pay for multiple IPs.

The router gives you multiple internal IPs, but only uses one external IP.

 

[858diver]

Do a search here under proxy servers. This will require you to use one computer as a host, with 2 NICs, but eliminate the need for a router.

A free, good basic one can be found HERE.

Good luck.

 

[JackMDS]

The content of the following links may be of help:

Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing

<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.
anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=48">Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...?</a>

 

[railer]

Thanks everybody. I had been using ICS for the past couple years with no problems. It's just super convenient to have access from anywhere without needing the "main" PC on all the time. What you said makes sense ttn1, guess maybe I'll break the D-link 704 out of the box (from the BB deal a couple months ago ) and hook it up. Thanks again....