Quick lesson for the ignorant.

[Bozo]

I started thread over at TP regarding adsl and as it progressed it moved on to owning a router. Now i am 'slightly' confused. Can i just check a couple of facts out. If I had a router does that mean I dont have to get the cable modem but instead attach the pc's to the router (which is presumably a built in modem with extra bells and whistles).

If that is the case do routers come with a limited number of 'ports' to plug your pcs into or do i also need to add a network hub of some description?

Probably cant afford to go that route anyway, at the moment on a rubbish dialup and have ICS enabled.

Some basic advice only please, just enough to get my head around.:)

[Farabomb]

The ammount of ports the router has depends on the router. My netgear rp114 comes with 4 ports. I have more than 4 computers so I also have it uplinked to a ds104 hub giving me a total of 6 ports to use (4 ports on the router 4 on the hub one port on each used for the uplink cable). I recomend the rp114 for ease of use and it's inexpensive around here $50-80 US. My DSL modem gets pulgged into the WAN port on the router so you still need the cable modem. The router acts as a DHCP server so all you have to do is plug in the cat5 and the router will give the PCs an IP and you should be ready to go. After doing pretty much what you are doing before I got the router. I consider the router WELL worth the money. And after the router my downstream speed went up.

[Player0]

Yes, you still need the cable modem if you get a router.

Some routers have built in hubs (okay) or switches (better). I use the Dlink 704P cause its cheap :) It has the following built in:

Router: does address translation
4-Port Switch: can hook up 4 100mbs ethernet connections
Print Server: Can print over IP to a box thats always on
DHCP Server: Assigns dynamic IPs to pcs
Firewall: Blocks nasty hack packets.

People often confuse the names of these 'combo' boxes. Some call them firewalls, others routers, and some people get even more confused. The fact is, these usually have a little bit of everything.

Anyway, anyone with a cable modem should get one of these router/firewall dealies. They will really protect your PCs, and make life alot easier when it comes to having multiple PCs on the connection. The Dlink 704P is like $60-$70 as well :)

As for the hub/switch portion, well some come with one port, some come with 4 ports, some come with 8 ports. Most companies like Dlink offer different models, one with 1 port, one with 4 ports, one with 8 ports lol. Get as many ports as you need. Most people don't need over 4 ports. Usually its cheaper to get the 4 port switch and later get an external 8-16 port switch if you need more space.

[Bozo]

Thanks guys, i was definatley beginning to get the impression that you get a router instead of the modem so thanks for putting me straight. Probably wont go for cable (leave my job this week) but if I go for it I shall include a router if funds allow.

[lechumbl]

Hi Bozo,

Also, with a router, you can get up to 256 independent IP address, so in theory, you can run up to 256 systems from one cable/DSL line.

Food for thought.

Take care..........

EDIT: As was mentioned earlier, most have a built in firewall. Hardware firewalls are much better than software firewalls.

[Bozo]

Hi Well it looks like I WILL be able to get adsl supposed to be activated on 26th june so i have been trying do dig a little deeper I have seen this combo modem\router and would like your opinions.

eg any omissions in features that i really should have


http://www.netgear.com/product_view.asp?xrp=4&yrp=12&zrp=136

Thread over at Picard as well if you have the time to add your 2 cents/pence ;) worth.

http://www.ninjamicros.com/vbulletin/showthread.php3?s=&threadid=11950

THX

[lechumbl]

Hi Bozo,

Be careful....Most ADSL providers have their own brand of modem and some will not work on other lines or companies.

This happened to a friend of mine. He got a hold of a modem and it would not work on his adsl line. He had to buy the one from the provider.

If they don't care or don't have a particular make and model they use, this one is fine.

A little spendy, but it also has the modem included.

If you have to buy THEIR modem, check out the Netgear RT311 or RT314. Does the same thing, without the modem, and is very reasonable in price. (Under $100.00)

Take care..........