what would be a good choice if I were to start an internet shop with about 10 PCs, 5mbps DSL speed.
2006-12-13 14:35:02 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
A router acts as a junction between two or more networks to transfer data packets among them. A router is different from a switch. A switch connects devices to form a local area network (LAN).
One easy illustration for the different functions of routers and switches is to think of switches as neighborhood streets, and the router as the intersections with the street signs. Each house on the street has an address within a range on the block. In the same way, a switch connects various devices each with their own IP address(es) on a LAN.
However, the switch knows nothing about IP addresses except its own management address. Routers connect networks together the way that on-ramps or major intersections connect streets to both highways and freeways, etc. The street signs at the intersection (routing table) show which way the packets need to flow.
So for example, a router at home connects the Internet service provider's (ISP) network (usually on an Internet address) together with the LAN in the home (typically using a range of private IP addresses, see network address translation (NAT)) and a single broadcast domain. The switch connects devices together to form the LAN. Sometimes the switch and the router are combined together in one single package sold as a multiple port router.
To your question, shop around. You'll need a router to connect the single IP address on the DSL to your local network. The Linksys router does this nicely, and distributes the local connections via Wireless LAN if you choose, or with a limited number of wired connections. A switch or hub can distribute the wired connections if you choose. The router can also act as a DHCP device, assigning temporary addresses to your local network and routing the signals to and from the internet.
2006-12-13 14:51:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The above poster who compared laptop -> notebook is right. A router pretty much = a switch. They are functionally equivalent
2006-12-13 14:44:20 · answer #2 · answered by michael p 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
See the attached reference....
2006-12-13 14:40:05 · answer #3 · answered by Cerdic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
router
2006-12-13 14:49:02 · answer #4 · answered by cool 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what is better. a laptop or notebook?
2006-12-13 14:37:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋