I have cable internet and two computers. I'm trying to run internet to both. Will a switch work?

Question

Or do I have to buy a router?

Answer 1

The problem is that without a router you will need to have both computers get an IP from the upstream (cable provider), which they probably will/do not support or would charge extra for. A router allows you to present one device to the upstream provider and then distribute the connectivity to your own private network. Home routers are pretty cheap, too.

Answer 2

You need to get a router. Linksys is a good brand, its reliable and used by many big companies. With your router, you can connect up to 4 computers on one line. However, it will decrease your internet speed a smidgen.. but according to my cable company, its a negligable amount.
the added good news is that with a router, it sort of "scrambles" the ip address, and so its harder to be hacked into. and they have built in virus protection, too.
Don't let anyone fool you, tho, a wireless router is not as secure as a wired one. you want wired. anyone can break into a wireless acct and use the account to connect online.
Wired is the way to go.

Answer 3

You have to buy a router
depends if you want wireless if you dont get a router with no wireless then the router acts like a switch

Answer 4

You will need to buy a router. Most routers have 4 ports on the back of it so you can connect up to 4 PC's to it.

Answer 5

The router is the only option.

Connect the cable from modem to the WAN port router and then use network cables to connect the routers to your computers.

Regards,

Eddie,

[e-mail]

Answer 6

Hi Adam, if you have two computers and you have cable internet, you should have a modem, some modem are wireless and some not, in the case you do have a modem wich is not wireless what you need to do is extend the cable from the modem to the computer you want to add. In the case you do not want wires and prefer to conect your second computer wireless, you need to change your modem for a modem that has both services wired and wireless conection.
I do have only one modem made by motorola and is conected to only one computer and my other two computers have wireless cards and they both get into the internet very well, with outh to be wired.
by Ani

Answer 7

Yes, a switch will work. If you are running Windows XP or Vista there is an internet connection sharing wizard under: start > Programs > accessories > Communications > network connections > select " this computer connects directly to the internet. The other computers connect through this computer.

Answer 8

Invest in a router. In that way the two machines can communicate with each other as well and you can backup files easily. You'll kick yourself in a month or two for getting a switch and wind up buying a router anyway. Save yourself the trouble and get the router. They're not that expensive.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=router&x=0&y=0
http://www.google.com/products?q=router&btnG=Search+Products&scoring=p

Answer 9

You need a router. You can only be issued one IP address from the cable company and a switch is designed to get an IP address for each machine connected to it.

Answer 10

You should go with a router. That way your computers can run independently.