I need a hub for my computers!

[catattack]

Hey guys whatsup? Anyways... I got enough equipment for my other computer and its allready setup ready to go. I want to have internet and it networked, but I dont know any good hubs for just 2 computers? Can you guys point me in a direction to a cheap hub? I also have DSL if that means anything. I'm looking around the range of $60 and below.

Thanks.

[Moby-Dick]

if its just 2 computers , you just need a crossover cable.

how is your DSL line connected to your PC ?

[BlackSheep]

Hey guys whatsup? Anyways... I got enough equipment for my other computer and its allready setup ready to go. I want to have internet and it networked, but I dont know any good hubs for just 2 computers? Can you guys point me in a direction to a cheap hub? I also have DSL if that means anything. I'm looking around the range of $60 and below.

Thanks.

For less than $60 you are probably looking at using your existing ADSL modem and buying a router/gateway/switch which you can plug you modem into and automatically share between 2 or more PC's

e.g. ....

Netgear RP614 Router - Retail
Securely extend your broadband Internet connection to all of your computers with the NETGEAR RP614 Web Safe Router Gateway. Each person can instantly benefit from high-speed Web access, file sharing, video streaming, head-to-head Internet gameplaying, and MP3 downloading. This highly capable 4-port Internet gateway provides state-of-the-art filtering and controls that allow parents to limit URL access and monitor Internet activities, while firewall protection secures your computers and network against hackers. Setup couldn’t be easier - a Smart Setup Wizard automatically detects your Internet connection type and then the animated Installation Assistant and on-screen help guide you through each step. The Web Safe Router Gateway is sleekly designed and is compatible with all Ethernet cable and DSL modems and with all Internet service providers.

- Easy set up using Smart Wizard & Install Assistant
- Fast cable/ADSL Internet sharing
- Integrated 4-port 10/100Mbps switch
- Controls to restrict access to inappropriate web sites
- NAT firewall/VPN pass-through protects against hackers
- Ready for up to 253 users
- External power adapter
- Limited 3 year warranty

24-Hour Phone Support - NETGEAR's 24x7 support guarantees that if you ever have trouble with this or any product from NETGEAR there is always someone there to help you on the phone.


Full Specification

Price: £38.40 (£45.12 Including VAT at 17.5%)

apologies price is in £'s

[Knoxville]

As Moby says if you only wanna network 2 computers you can use a crossover cable and 2 nic's.

Otherwise there are plenty of good routers availdable for that kinda cash, my DL-604 was only £45 iirc and it networks my internet and printer perfectly to 3 computers.

[Space Cowboy]

If all you need is a switch/hub, buy a 5/8 port own brand switch from Dabs or eBuyer or someone. It'll be absolutely fine.

[catattack]

Whats a crossover cable? Where can I get one? And how much are they? Oh and how do they work?

Thx!

[unrealrocks]

Basically they crossover pairs of the cables inside, it allows different types of network connections.

I'm sure somewhere like NewEgg would do the right thing!

[oshta]

what the diffrence between a hub and a switch??

[Jiff Lemon]

A hub is also known as a repeater. Data gets repeated out to every single port.
A switch will route packets of data to the correct port.

[oshta]

A hub is also known as a repeater. Data gets repeated out to every single port.
A switch will route packets of data to the correct port.

so a switch is better??

- just for a simple network, ie: two PCs, one fileserver, one printerserver and a ADSL router (any maybe the File server with become a domainserver oneday)

thanks,
daniel

[Paul Adams]

so a switch is better??

- just for a simple network, ie: two PCs, one fileserver, one printerserver and a ADSL router (any maybe the File server with become a domainserver oneday)

Yes indeedy, hubs have no place in today's world.

A hub is like a stree where people are having conversations from one house to the next by shouting very loudly so everyone else hears.
A switch is where the 2 houses talking will use a telephone

A switch sends traffic only where it needs to go - with the exception of broadcast traffic which it sends to all ports, luckily broadcast traffic isn't sent out very often - usually for devices searching for each other, or master browsers checking which of its neighbours are still alive.

2 pairs of machines talking on a hub will get around half the possible bandwidth each, and there'll probably be data collisions galore.
On a switch 2 pairs of machines can talk at maximum bandwidth with very few (ideally no) collisions.

Switches used to be very expensive compared to hubs, but now they are dirt cheap (unless you look at rack-mounted Cisco kit which is just insanely priced).

[Stoo]

yup, go for a switch, little difference in price, but far more useful

[counterclockwis]

on such a small network it's not really going to make any difference at all, provided your internet connection is firewalled etc. that said they tend to be nicer bits of kit and the difference in price is in terms of single pounds... just don't think you're doing yourself any favours securitywise on such a small network.

Acrossover cable means that the send cables are wired to the recive pins on the other end, because the cables are joined to different pins at each end for a crossover. for a normal network cable (straight through) pin 1 joins to pin 1, pin 2 to pin 2 etc. For a crossover cable, pin1 joins to pin 3, 2 to 6, 3 to 1, 4 to 8, 5 to 7, 6 to 2, 7 to 5 and 8 to 4. for pictures and instructions try here

[Stoo]

I'd be tempted to put a small switch in anyway, allows far easier expansion, and you can link in things like PS2s and XBoxes with the minimum of fuss

[oshta]

well, im using an X-over atm, but i need a switch not (year later) becuase im expanding, the x-over was fine tho, i got a x-over addapter (£0.50) - so i didnt need a x-over patch lead, so now all i have to do it swaping a switch and plug some more stuff in

- also, i was looking at switches, and i notice there are to lines of netgear swithces, im looking at thesilver FS 608 and the blue FS108 - and i was wondering which i best, theres less that a £1.50 diffrence in price, so im really wodering what the pros/cons are

- anyone know???



thanks daniel

(please anyone shut me up if they think im highjacking this)