I need an opinion pls.

aznlurkerz · 07-05-2002, 05:41 PM

Netgear 8 port 10/100 Switch (FS108)

Is that switch a good choice? does it allow me to hook DSL up to it and spread DSL over the few computers hooked up to it?

aznlurkerz

TOAD6147 · 07-05-2002, 06:30 PM

The DSL connects to a modem which connects to a router or NIC. You need a router/switch combination or just a router and a seperate switch to share the Internet connection among multiple computers. The router is what gives you DHCP and NAT (ICS) and the switch is what allows you to network all the computers together to form a LAN. You don't need the router for the LAN and you don't need the switch to get a shareable internet connection. But you need the switch (or hub...BLAH!) to anchor a >2 client LAN and you need the router (or a software proxy program) to have ICS. Are you confused now?

aznlurkerz · 07-05-2002, 07:07 PM

ok SO this "Switch" will only allow me to set up a LAN, BUT i need a "Router" in order for the LAN to have internet access though DSL? right?

A "Router" will also do the same job as a switch will right? with the ability to hook up DSL from the DSL modem.

aznlurkerz

hmm... i want to be able to hook up a series of comp to a LAN with DSL, what is it i'm lookin for again =P

aznlurkerz

daveleau · 07-05-2002, 07:16 PM

Many routers come with built in switches or hubs (it is preferred to have a switch over a hub). Some routers come with only one port. In this instance you would need a hub or a switch behind the router to share between systems. I use a 3Com router with built in 4 port switch and love it. I would recommend it (It was under $100) but it has been discontinued. If you find it for sale, then it is a great buy. It is this router.

Good luck
Dave

aznlurkerz · 07-05-2002, 07:20 PM

Thx Daveleau, are there any other reccomendations other then that 3Com Router?

aznlurkerz

Kuasimodem · 07-05-2002, 08:11 PM

You can connect multiple computers to the same internet connection (DSL or Cable) with any router, I prefer the Dlink DI-707 that I'm running on my home network

It has 1 uplink and 7 downlink ports, and even has a serial port for connecting/controlling an external dialup modem as a backup for the broadband connection.

aznlurkerz · 07-05-2002, 08:19 PM

Would this ==> D-Link DI-704 4-port Router/Switch be a good choice?

aznlurkerz

Kuasimodem · 07-05-2002, 08:28 PM

Yep, I've installed a few of them for friends and they haven't had any problems with them. One thing I might suggest is going with the DI-704P, which has a printer port for setting up a network printer that any computer can use any time.

DI-704P

originel · 07-05-2002, 08:32 PM

really anything by d-link or linksys is gonna be a really good router. i use the linksys BEFSR41 router and love it, but have also heard great things about d-link. whatever you can find the best deal on i'd say.

ragtop · 07-05-2002, 09:33 PM

I also use a Linksys BEFSR41 router (for more than a year now), and I'm very happy with it. The d-link routers are also highly rated, although I've never used them personally.