What's the difference between a switch, Hub, and router?

[brown234]

I want to hook my cable modem up to two computers but im not sure which one to buy. What's the difference between them? Which one would be best for what I want to do? Thanks.

 

[Russ]

A switch is a hub with brains. A router translates between disparate networks. The simplest approach would be to buy a DSL router with a built in switch.

Russ, NCNE

 

[Viper GTS]

Russ is correct, of course.

More specifically, though:

A hub re-broadcasts packets to all connections, while a switch only broadcasts it to the machine it's directed to.

A router is used to connect two networks. Basically a router looks at a packet & asks itself "Is this packet on my local network?" (whichever side it came in on) If the answer is yes, the router kicks the packet back out on it's LAN connection. If the answer is no, the router forwards it onto it's WAN connection, where the next router performs the same operation.

What you're probably looking for is a broadband router. There are numerous models available, with four port models in the $150 range.

Viper GTS

 

[CoolTechie]

ok ive got a question... i know an ok amount about networking.. but I havent learned the details about ports yet... can u real quick tell me what 1 port vs 4 ports means and the advantegs of the 4 port.. and also if theres special ways of assigning ports

 

[Viper GTS]

4 ports means you can plug 4 computers into it, one port means you're in a monogamous relationship.

Viper GTS

 

[brown234]

So this switch at Amazon wouldn't work for me? http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A.../sr=8-2/ref=aps_sr_ce_1_4/102-2854834-9110539 Thanks for the help

 

[dcdomain]

My friend currently has a cable modem connected to two computers. Was wondering what needed changing if he went with DSL. Does DSL run on the network cards that cable can run on... basically any network card. Or does DSL require some sort of DSL modem? And if that's the case, I guess he has to get a different hub/router/switch...

 

[Windogg]

Brown, what you are looking at is a regualr switch. What you need to share your connection is a router or a router/switch combination. A router without a switch will only have a single port to connect a PC or other network device such as a switch or hub.

dcdomain, If you get DSL, you will have a DSL modem which replaces your cable modem. Other wise any other equipment you have is 100% compatible so you don't have to replace you NICs, router, hub, or switch.

Windogg

 

[The Wildcard]

Wow, the things you learn in the OFF TOPIC forum!

 

[HaVoC]

This thread is on topic. Go to Networking...

 

[purplehayes]

I'll admit that I'm no networking genius, but why hasn't anyone mentioned using a box with two NICs as a firewall and using a cheap hub?

PH

 

[thEnEuRoMancER]

Even the hub is not necessary if you use a cross-connected UTP cable to connect two local computers.

 

[Russ]

purplehayes,

Nothing wrong with that approach. But, if the box acting as the gateway goes down, all net access is down. With a DSL router, the systems all access independently.

Russ, NCNE

 

[NicColt]

Viper you scare me, do you know what a SpectroGraph client is ? or a JET Database ?.