Difference between a router and a switch

[4Ryan6]

Someone give me a quick explanation between a router and a switch, according to what they do they pretty much seem the same?

 

[riser]

Router connects dissimilar networks (2 networks); allows routing of IPs.
Switches can switch between 10/100/1000Mbit and creates a connection between point A and B by forwarding on request through an internal process).
(A hub would broadcast all information it recieves to everything connected to it, the switch sends the information directly to the computer requesting/serving the information)

Very very basic, hope it works.

Riser

 

[4Ryan6]

So if you're using 1 IP address, 2 computers can use a switch to connect to a cable modem. Right? And each computer will act independently with the aide of the switch, thats the cheapest alternative, between a switch and a router setup.

Now if the 2 computers were networked together a router would be the best option. Right?

 

[riser]

See, in this case you want to use a router because you're creating a LAN (local area network) to connect to the WAN (wide area network [internet]) so in order to have 2 computers work at the same time on 1 cable modem which accepts 1 ip address, you would need to use the router to act as 1 IP address which then would serve your 2 computers requests out as 1 computer (via the router acting as 1 computer) to the internet, thus allowing both to work. the switch would allow 1 computer to work, normally the first one to be turned on and accept the new IP address while the second would drop off the workgroup (network connection).


Riser

 

[4Ryan6]

Unfortunately for me that means I've got to buy a router, thanks for your input, its greatly appreciated! Ryan

 

[blah]

why is that "Unfortunately"? you are going to be a happy man once you do it..

..this is very useful and helpful place for information...

 

[alltaken]

4ryan6

if one of your computers will be on all the time this can be used for ICS internet connection sharing, this is a microsoft thingy and i use it for our home network.

bascily dads computer runs as the computer connected to the net, i then connect to his and i can see the internet through his gateway computer.

his has the firewall so i don't need one. very easy to set up.

however if one will not always be turned on then this will not work.


Alltaken

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[vagabond]

Hey alltaken,

If I was to hook up my computer and my daughter's like you suggested through ICS in MS, is my bandwidth then cut in half when my daughter's accessing the internet through my computer?

The reason I'm asking is I don't have a router and I'm still wondering if it's worth the money for home use. I've also got enough NICs to connect my daughter's PC to mine. Got the patch cables also.

My PC is hooked up to my ADSL modem via NIC. I still have two more NICs and a patch cable to set my daughter's system to hook up to mine. Is that what you meant?

Be patient with me. I've never hooked up a LAN to access WAN before.

Is it better I invest in that router?

Another thing there was also someone who recommended building a router. He meant an extra computer to act as a server. Is that also feasable?

THX!!!

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[Dev]

I use an old 486 with a floppy that boots the Linux Router Project, evenwithout a hard drive. It is very simple to set up (the actual setup of the floppy can be done in windows) and the only caveat is that you need two NICs, and they can not be too new since this is an abandoned project as of last year. Works as a charm for me.
Nevertheless, I recommend a router as it is a little easier to deal with. Just remember to stay away from new Belkin routers since they do not route correctly.

It's a question between ease of use and money. I'm sure you can get an old 486 for free/dirt cheap and a floppy. A decent router will be more expensive, but also be slightly easier to use and smaller in size so it can be hidden easily.

Dev

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[vagabond]

Seeing as I already have the server setup, I'm going to try and go that route.

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