Why DSL or Cable Router?

[badauss42]

I know this must be a trivial answer for all of you, but why do i need to get a router to split my DSL connection? Cant i just use a hub? I heard it has someting to do with IP adress, but some clarification would be good.

 

[BCYL]

A router is specifically designed to let you share 1 IP between many PCs...

All a hub/switch do is let you connect many PCs together for networks... it does not let you share an IP... If you dont have a router but wanna share the IP with a hub/switch, you will need a software proxy (ICS) to do it for you and have 1 of your PC acts as a server...

A router is a hardware proxy instead of software... so with a router u don't need to run any kind of software and wont need any of your PC to be a server... Router also has a hardware firewall built-in for security...