A router with only 2 ports, what's the point

  • Thread starter Thread starter Pete
  • Start date Start date
P

Pete

OK I accept it I just did a stupid thing and bid on a router without knowing
the specs but up until now every router I have seen had 4 ports built in.
Just my luck I big on one that only has 2 (1 for my dsl modem and 1 for my
pc) what is the point of this thing? As far as I can see there is a firewall
but is that it? £12 bloody quid for that?

Here's a link to one. I have won a v2 one apparently.
http://www.infotechshop.co.uk/products.asp?recnumber=4502

I have a hub can I plug that into this and share my network that way? Means
another piece of kit I've got to plug in tho.

thanks

pete
 
Paul said:
Well, it depends on what kind of broadband modem you've got.

I have ADSL and the rental modem that comes with the service,
outputs PPPOE. To use it with a computer, I have to load the
software CD from my ISP. Years ago, that was buggy software,
and caused usability problems on my computer. At that time,
I purchased a BEFSR41.

The BEFSR41 terminates PPPOE and converts the serial stream
to standard Ethernet packets. Since it also uses NAT (network
address translation) as part of its routing function, that
gives the user a firewall. The router function converts
public address (82.37.226.197) to private address (192.168.1.2).
Port numbers get translated in the process, which is why attempts
to port scan from the outside, are less effective. So that is
part of the firewall function. (If the unit had "stateful packet
inspection", that would be a better check, but I don't remember
off hand whether the BEFSR family does that or not.)

In my case, moving the PPPOE function, from software on my
computer, to hardware inside the router box, was worth the
price. My computer was much more well behaved, once that
software was removed. Since that purchase years ago, I'm
sure the software for that function has improved in quality,
and perhaps a hardware solution is less necessary.

Another thing the Firewall can do for you, happens when you
are reinstalling an OS. With the Win2K I use, if I happened
to be connected directly to the Internet, while installing an
unpatched copy of Win2K, I can pick up an infection from the
Internet in about 20 seconds. So having the little box in
the path, prevents that from happening. A trivial benefit,
but worthwhile if you forgot to disconnect from the network,
before reinstalling an OS and its Service Packs.

But "£12 bloody quid" is a cheap lesson on blind bidding :-)
People sell stuff on Ebay, because they don't want it. There
has got to be a reason they don't want it. Your job is
to figure out why. Many Ebay sellers go there, because they
can rely on "quick shot" habitual bidders.

Paul
Click to expand...

In addition to what Paul has mentioned, consider that it is
easy to add a switch to a router and have as many connections
as you can afford. It is also an easy way to make your LAN
into a Gigabit LAN. I use a SMC8508T and it couldn't be
any easier. They aren't very expensive and do Jumbo packets.

http://www.smc.com/index.cfm?event=viewProduct&localeCode=EN_USA&cid=6&scid=&pid=1147

http://www.provantage.com/smc-networks-smc8508t~7SMCS01F.htm

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=SMC8508T&hl=en&btnG=Search+Froogle

Luck;
Ken
 
Ken Maltby said:
In addition to what Paul has mentioned, consider that it is
easy to add a switch to a router and have as many connections
as you can afford. It is also an easy way to make your LAN
into a Gigabit LAN. I use a SMC8508T and it couldn't be
any easier. They aren't very expensive and do Jumbo packets.

http://www.smc.com/index.cfm?event=viewProduct&localeCode=EN_USA&cid=6&scid=&pid=1147

http://www.provantage.com/smc-networks-smc8508t~7SMCS01F.htm

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=SMC8508T&hl=en&btnG=Search+Froogle

Luck;
Ken
Click to expand...

Thanks Ken / Paul.

You guys are right, it's not so bad. It's just anoying I have to have
something else pluged in; I'd like everything in one modem/ router/hub box
really.

I have a "5 port mini hub for ethernet 10base-T 5 port hub" I bought years
ago which is in a box in the garage, can I use it with the router?

I have a 2mbps internet connection with Virgin media (telewest) which plugs
into a motorola surfboard SB3100 cable modem. So I will need to plug that
into the router and then the router into my "5 port mini hub for ethernet
10base-T 5 port hub", then plug my PC and my imac into that. Is that right?
Both the imac and the pc have 10/100 ethernet ports.

Is there anything I should do / not do with this setup.

could someone tell me is this the right firmware?
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Sate...sitorWrapper&displaypage=nodata#versiondetail

I have bought a version 2 box but the "locate version number" drop down
listbox only lets me select version 1.0

Thanks

Pete
 
Ken Maltby said:
In addition to what Paul has mentioned, consider that it is
easy to add a switch to a router and have as many connections
as you can afford. It is also an easy way to make your LAN
into a Gigabit LAN. I use a SMC8508T and it couldn't be
any easier. They aren't very expensive and do Jumbo packets.

http://www.smc.com/index.cfm?event=viewProduct&localeCode=EN_USA&cid=6&scid=&pid=1147

http://www.provantage.com/smc-networks-smc8508t~7SMCS01F.htm

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=SMC8508T&hl=en&btnG=Search+Froogle

Luck;
Ken
Click to expand...

Sorry I forgot to say, the router isn't fast enough for a gigabit lan is it?

The other thing that concerns me is that I the last hour I have read a lot
of reports of this router locking up access to the net and needing to be
rebooted. I hope all the bugs have been sorted out.

pete
 
Pete said:
OK I accept it I just did a stupid thing and bid on a router without knowing
the specs but up until now every router I have seen had 4 ports built in.
Just my luck I big on one that only has 2 (1 for my dsl modem and 1 for my
pc) what is the point of this thing? As far as I can see there is a firewall
but is that it? £12 bloody quid for that?

Here's a link to one. I have won a v2 one apparently.
http://www.infotechshop.co.uk/products.asp?recnumber=4502

I have a hub can I plug that into this and share my network that way? Means
another piece of kit I've got to plug in tho.

thanks

pete
Click to expand...

Well, it depends on what kind of broadband modem you've got.

I have ADSL and the rental modem that comes with the service,
outputs PPPOE. To use it with a computer, I have to load the
software CD from my ISP. Years ago, that was buggy software,
and caused usability problems on my computer. At that time,
I purchased a BEFSR41.

The BEFSR41 terminates PPPOE and converts the serial stream
to standard Ethernet packets. Since it also uses NAT (network
address translation) as part of its routing function, that
gives the user a firewall. The router function converts
public address (82.37.226.197) to private address (192.168.1.2).
Port numbers get translated in the process, which is why attempts
to port scan from the outside, are less effective. So that is
part of the firewall function. (If the unit had "stateful packet
inspection", that would be a better check, but I don't remember
off hand whether the BEFSR family does that or not.)

In my case, moving the PPPOE function, from software on my
computer, to hardware inside the router box, was worth the
price. My computer was much more well behaved, once that
software was removed. Since that purchase years ago, I'm
sure the software for that function has improved in quality,
and perhaps a hardware solution is less necessary.

Another thing the Firewall can do for you, happens when you
are reinstalling an OS. With the Win2K I use, if I happened
to be connected directly to the Internet, while installing an
unpatched copy of Win2K, I can pick up an infection from the
Internet in about 20 seconds. So having the little box in
the path, prevents that from happening. A trivial benefit,
but worthwhile if you forgot to disconnect from the network,
before reinstalling an OS and its Service Packs.

But "£12 bloody quid" is a cheap lesson on blind bidding :-)
People sell stuff on Ebay, because they don't want it. There
has got to be a reason they don't want it. Your job is
to figure out why. Many Ebay sellers go there, because they
can rely on "quick shot" habitual bidders.

Paul
 
Pete said:
Sorry I forgot to say, the router isn't fast enough for a gigabit lan is it?

The other thing that concerns me is that I the last hour I have read a lot
of reports of this router locking up access to the net and needing to be
rebooted. I hope all the bugs have been sorted out.

pete
Click to expand...


You can do stuff like this:
1000BT
------ PC #1
10BT ------ PC #2
Modem ------- Router ------- Switch ------ PC #3
------ PC #4
------ PC #5

The PCs can talk to one another at Gigabit speeds, good if
you have a file server in the home, or do file sharing
between machines.

If any of the PCs talks to the Internet, they are
limited to the rates at the Modem end.

And my BEFSR41 used to have the odd lockup. I tried flash
upgrading the firmware, but a few days after that, replaced
it with a different brand on sale locally. I did get a number
of years from the thing. It is still sitting in a box here.

Paul
 
Paul said:
You can do stuff like this:
1000BT
------ PC #1
10BT ------ PC #2
Modem ------- Router ------- Switch ------ PC #3
------ PC #4
------ PC #5

The PCs can talk to one another at Gigabit speeds, good if
you have a file server in the home, or do file sharing
between machines.

If any of the PCs talks to the Internet, they are
limited to the rates at the Modem end.

And my BEFSR41 used to have the odd lockup. I tried flash
upgrading the firmware, but a few days after that, replaced
it with a different brand on sale locally. I did get a number
of years from the thing. It is still sitting in a box here.

Paul
Click to expand...


The router only needs to be as fast as the modem interface
for most modems that's still a 10T connection. If you attach
a switch that can handle a 1000T connection then all devices
on the switch that can handle a 1000T connection will be able
to function at Gigabit LAN speeds. Those devices that operate
at slower speeds will also function correctly on your Gigabit
LAN, only just at the fastest speed they are capable of.

A hub and a switch are really two different things, and a
switch is much better than a hub.

I have a Linksys BEFSR41 as my router, and it still functions
well for me. I did get a new ADSL modem, a "Zoom DSL X6"
recently and I have that plugged into the BEFSR41. The new
modem has a router and switch built into it so I could have
replaced the BEFSR41, if I had wanted to. With both I have
SPI and NAT on the modem and another NAT from the
BEFSR41. I haven't found any conflicts yet. And as I
mentioned, every thing else connects to the Gigabit Switch.

A switch costs quite a bit more than a hub, and it is possible
that your needs may be met by a hub.

Luck,
Ken

P.S. Let me try a diagram:

Modem
| 10T
Router
| 100T
---------------- Switch ----1000T-----------------
| | | | |
|
PC1 PC2 NAS HTPC PC3 PC4
 
You guys are right, it's not so bad. It's just anoying I have to have
something else pluged in; I'd like everything in one modem/ router/hub box
really.
Click to expand...

Ask the seller if they'll let you off the hook... offer them
$5 or something... or just auction it off yourself.


I have a "5 port mini hub for ethernet 10base-T 5 port hub" I bought years
ago which is in a box in the garage, can I use it with the router?
Click to expand...


Yes, that will work, but since it's 10Mb, filesharing among
the PCs would be slow for anything large. Since your
internet connection is only 2Mb, that wouldn't be a factor.
I have a 2mbps internet connection with Virgin media (telewest) which plugs
into a motorola surfboard SB3100 cable modem. So I will need to plug that
into the router and then the router into my "5 port mini hub for ethernet
10base-T 5 port hub", then plug my PC and my imac into that. Is that right?
Both the imac and the pc have 10/100 ethernet ports.
yes



Is there anything I should do / not do with this setup.

could someone tell me is this the right firmware?
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Sate...sitorWrapper&displaypage=nodata#versiondetail

I have bought a version 2 box but the "locate version number" drop down
listbox only lets me select version 1.0
Click to expand...


Considering your questions I would wait on the firmware,
unless you know you need it for some reason.
 
A switch costs quite a bit more than a hub, and it is possible
that your needs may be met by a hub.
Click to expand...

For a home lan it is often that the differences in
performance between a switch and a hub won't matter, but
these days switches are actually as cheap or cheaper because
there isn't even anyone making the hubs anymore, AFAIK...
switches are now *free* in a router or about $0 after
rebates if you don't mind doing without wifi in it... this
for 100Mb, Gigabit are still about $30 give or take.
 
Sorry I forgot to say, the router isn't fast enough for a gigabit lan is it?

The other thing that concerns me is that I the last hour I have read a lot
of reports of this router locking up access to the net and needing to be
rebooted. I hope all the bugs have been sorted out.
Click to expand...


I can't say for certain on that particular router, but a lot
of them seem susceptible to overheating. If the case feels
warm you might pop it off and drill a lot of ventilation
holes in unobtrustive places... or as mentioned previously,
just get rid of it and buy what you were wanting instead.
 
kony said:
I can't say for certain on that particular router, but a lot
of them seem susceptible to overheating. If the case feels
warm you might pop it off and drill a lot of ventilation
holes in unobtrustive places... or as mentioned previously,
just get rid of it and buy what you were wanting instead.
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the help everyone.

One last thing.

I need 10metres of cable from the hub to the imac do I need a patch cable or
a crossover cable? Also as they cost about the same shall I get cat5 or cat
6 and what's the difference?

Thanks

pete
 
Pete said:
You guys are right, it's not so bad. It's just anoying I have to have
something else pluged in; I'd like everything in one modem/ router/hub box
really.

I have a "5 port mini hub for ethernet 10base-T 5 port hub" I bought years
ago which is in a box in the garage, can I use it with the router?
Click to expand...

You can, but you would get faster communication between computers
with a faster router.
I have a 2mbps internet connection with Virgin media (telewest) which plugs
into a motorola surfboard SB3100 cable modem. So I will need to plug that
into the router and then the router into my "5 port mini hub for ethernet
10base-T 5 port hub", then plug my PC and my imac into that. Is that right?
Both the imac and the pc have 10/100 ethernet ports.
Click to expand...

That sounds good.
Is there anything I should do / not do with this setup.

could someone tell me is this the right firmware?
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Sate...sitorWrapper&displaypage=nodata#versiondetail

I have bought a version 2 box but the "locate version number" drop down
listbox only lets me select version 1.0
Click to expand...

The firmware is probably the same for all versions. I ran into
that recently with a BEFCMU10. It displayed "Ver 1.0" while
the box said "Ver 2.0". At first, talking to linksys, they said my
box was really a Ver 1.0, but it really turned out to be 2.0.

Bob
 
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Sate...sitorWrapper&displaypage=nodata#versiondetail

The firmware is probably the same for all versions. I ran into
that recently with a BEFCMU10. It displayed "Ver 1.0" while
the box said "Ver 2.0". At first, talking to linksys, they said my
box was really a Ver 1.0, but it really turned out to be 2.0.

Bob
Click to expand...

.... or it could just be that they aren't offering a firmware
upgrade for version 2 at this time.

It might be that the hardware is really different and the
two firmwares aren't compatible. If they designed it right,
it "should" (no guarantees) refuse to upgrade the wrong
firmware, if incompatible.
 
Thanks for all the help everyone.

One last thing.

I need 10metres of cable from the hub to the imac do I need a patch cable or
a crossover cable? Also as they cost about the same shall I get cat5 or cat
6 and what's the difference?
Click to expand...


Use a regular cable from the hub to the computers.
Use a regular cable form the hub to the router - unless
neither has an uplink port... but most do. Crossover cables
are now seldom needed but for direct connections between two
computers, and today, even that isn't needed if either has a
gigabit ethernet card instead of 100Mb or lower.
 
kony said:
Use a regular cable from the hub to the computers.
Use a regular cable form the hub to the router - unless
neither has an uplink port... but most do. Crossover cables
are now seldom needed but for direct connections between two
computers, and today, even that isn't needed if either has a
gigabit ethernet card instead of 100Mb or lower.
Click to expand...

Thanks Kony
 
Back
Top