I thought they were the same thing- I have an ethernet hub-can i successfully plug in two computers and have internet access with both? Or do I need a router or what?
2006-10-19 12:59:56 · 5 answers · asked by anondewd 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Computer Networking
Truth:
A hub is a simple device that is used to connect computers together to make a network.
A router is a smart device that is used to connect two or more networks together (such as your local network and the internet, or two local networks)
Home routers usually contain more advanced things like port forwarding, built-in firewalls, NAT redirection...etc.
If you have a broadband internet connection the best thing is to get an internet router. You can plug your internet into the router, and any PC's you plug into the router will automatically get internet. Plus, the router will be firewalled so you won't have to run one on the local PC.
If you have dial-up, you will do just fine with a hub. Just plug your phone line into your modem which is connected to one PC, and set up internet connection sharing. The downside to this method is if the modem is connected to PC#1, in order for PC#2 to get onto the internet, PC#1 will have to be running.
2006-10-19 14:41:55 · answer #1 · answered by The Psycho 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What you are looking to do is share the internet between multiple systems. In any internet sharing network, the first box after the modem has to be a router. This is the unit that creates the main network location. After a router is in place an ethernet hub can split the signal more, but only after the router is in place.
2006-10-19 13:13:02 · answer #2 · answered by modred189 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An ethernet hub is needed to create an ethernet LAN (Local Area Network). This will allow you to connect your computers together.
A router connects different networks together. If you want your LAN to connect to the internet you need a router so your own network can communicate with another.
Often routers also function as ethernet hubs so you don't need 2 different devices.
2006-10-19 13:29:09 · answer #3 · answered by sofarsogood 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a hub only hooks up computers together to add onto a network, but you need a router first though. I guess what i am getting at is that a router is designed to take a signal coming from a modem,and a hub is designed just to hook up computer to add to a existing network with a router
2006-10-19 13:11:19 · answer #4 · answered by Jake 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well hub cant think anything while router can......
means hub will broadcast every packet / data coming to their port while router will assign by ourself to send it to optimal and shortest path destination.
2006-10-19 13:16:57 · answer #5 · answered by Kunal vyas 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋