Router and Hub?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Smith
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Smith

What's the difference between a 4-port Router and an 8-port Workgroup Hub in
terms of home networking? I have a 4-port Linksys Router currently, a
friend gave me a Linksys 8-port "Workgroup Hub." The extra ports would be
nice, but it looks different, no setup CD or anything. Before I start
disconnecting my home network, can this hub be used in place of my router?
I currently have 3 PC's and a laptop on my network, would be nice to be able
to add my other PC and laptop without having to constantly switch cables.

Thanks.
 
Smith said:
What's the difference between a 4-port Router and an 8-port Workgroup Hub
in terms of home networking? I have a 4-port Linksys Router currently, a
friend gave me a Linksys 8-port "Workgroup Hub." The extra ports would be
nice, but it looks different, no setup CD or anything. Before I start
disconnecting my home network, can this hub be used in place of my router?
I currently have 3 PC's and a laptop on my network, would be nice to be
able to add my other PC and laptop without having to constantly switch
cables.
Click to expand...

A hub and a router are NOTHING like each other.

If you need more ports, plug the 8 port hub into one of the ports on your
router.
 
Okay, I figured that was what needed to be done since after posting I looked
at it some more and realized the hub had no port for the modem and all, heh.
Would I need to use a cross-over cable or would a patch cable do? I know
next to nothing about networking, sorry for sounding dumb and thanks for
helping.
 
Smith said:
Okay, I figured that was what needed to be done since after posting I
looked at it some more and realized the hub had no port for the modem and
all, heh. Would I need to use a cross-over cable or would a patch cable
do? I know next to nothing about networking, sorry for sounding dumb and
thanks for helping.
Click to expand...
In simple words, a hub is a "stupid" multi connection box that transfers all
incoming signals to all ports. It's the receiver that decide if the signal
is intended for him.
A router has build-in intelligence and knows what signal is for who. It
transmits the signal only to the appropriate destination. It also manages IP
adresses behind it, so from your provider, you only need one IP, being that
of the router. With a hub, each PC will need an IP from the provider. One of
the other advantages of a router is that most of them have internal hardware
protection (firewall).
Many also have a printer port allowing you to share a printer. So, if you
want to build a home network, you should go for a router. Actually, they are
(relatively) very cheap. If your want to add more connections than your
router has, you could add a hub behind the router.
 
Smith said:
Okay, I figured that was what needed to be done since after posting I looked
at it some more and realized the hub had no port for the modem and all, heh.
Would I need to use a cross-over cable or would a patch cable do? I know
next to nothing about networking, sorry for sounding dumb and thanks for
helping.
Click to expand...

There may be an "uplink" port on the hub, which may be activated with a
small switch next to it. Run your cable from that port to a normal port
on the router.
 
The "uplink" port acts as a bridge. A bridge, or some sort of emulation, is required to connect two subnets together. The best solution might be to get a wireless router, especially since you have laptops. It would be nice if you could find an inexpensive wireless router with more than four ports, but I haven't seen any.
 
So, if you want to build a home network, you should go for a router.
Actually, they are (relatively) very cheap. If your want to add more
connections than your router has, you could add a hub behind the router. <<

That's what I'm doing :) So with it connected to the router I won't have to
purchase another IP from my ISP will I?
 
Smith said:
Actually, they are (relatively) very cheap. If your want to add more
connections than your router has, you could add a hub behind the router. <<

That's what I'm doing :) So with it connected to the router I won't have to
purchase another IP from my ISP will I?
Click to expand...

No, they won't really be able to tell its there.
 
If you just want the computers to be able to trade files with each other
than the 8-port workgroup Hub will suffice. HOWEVER, if you wan the
connected computers to be able to access the Internet then the Hub is of no
use and you MUST use a Router. Linksys and others make 8-port Routers for
~$100.
 
Smith said:
Okay, thanks, hook up time now.

Smith
Click to expand...
From the ISP site, they only see the routers' IP address. All what's behind
the router is local network where the IP addresses are assigned by the
router (automatically or manually, depending of the router's settings).
 
Yeah, hooked it up yesterday, connection is great through the hub linked to
the router. It assigned them auto.

Thanks for the help all :)
 
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