hub/router

[blue_mosquit0o]

what is the differences from a hub to a router?
im planning on splitting my cbale wich would be the best to do this?

[dficken]

Definition for a hub -

A common connection point for devices in a network. Hubs are commonly used to connect segments of a LAN. A hub contains multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port, it is copied to the other ports so that all segments of the LAN can see all packets.

A passive hub serves simply as a conduit for the data, enabling it to go from one device (or segment) to another. So-called intelligent hubs include additional features that enables an administrator to monitor the traffic passing through the hub and to configure each port in the hub. Intelligent hubs are also called manageable hubs.

A third type of hub, called a switching hub, actually reads the destination address of each packet and then forwards the packet to the correct port.

Definition for a router -

A device that connects any number of LANs.

Routers use headers and a forwarding table to determine where packets go, and they use ICMP to communicate with each other and configure the best route between any two hosts.

Very little filtering of data is done through routers. Routers do not care about the type of data they handle.

If you want to share an internet connection with 2 computers, i suggest you get a router or a switching gateway. They usually come with a built in firewall to protect you computer from hackers. There are many brands available. Just depends on what you need, and how much you want to spend.

[blue_mosquit0o]

what would be the pros and cons of using a hub to split a cable internet connection?

[dficken]

You would need to get a router or switching gateway. To be honest, i don't know of a way to use a hub to split your inet connection (unless you have multiple IP's assigned to you from your ISP). Mostlikely you either have DHCP or a single static address. If this is the case, a router would be assigned that address and you could have a couple workstations behind it on a seperate LAN segment using the router as the gateway.

A hub cannot do this.

[BaLa]

just get a Router...
they're pretty cheap nowadays..

most ppls like Netgear or Linksys

[BlackSword]

Originally posted by blue_mosquit0o
what would be the pros and cons of using a hub to split a cable internet connection?

Cons,
1. you would require ICS(Internet connection sharing software)
2. The p.c. that you assign as the master would always have to be on for the others to gain access to the internet.
3. ICS software takes up cycles on your P.C.
4. Typically harder to setup for someone that doesn't understand networking. (please notice I said typically)

Pros,
1. cheap

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Understand that routers are different than HUBs or Switches

Simply put

HUB = dumb device that repeats signal to all ports (extends network it belongs too)

Switch = slightly smarter device that will direct a signal to the correct port on the network it belongs too, Plus higher thru-put

Router = smart device, USED to connect different networks together and making it appear that you are on one big network.

-------------------------
So that all said, you could buy a one port Router connect it to a HUB and then connect all you P.C.s to the Hub and they could all connect to the internet.

Or you can buy a Router that also has a Switch or Hub in it. Basically in this case you have TWO devices sharing ONE common BOX.

I hope I made this clear?:rolleyes:

If you haven't bought anything I would recommend a Router/Switch solution. If you want something cheap the LINKsys is good, if you are a hardcore gamer and you want to game on all your rigs to the internet then You would probably want something better like a Nexland ISB-SOHO or Netgear