Router, hub, switch... whats the best for my situation?

[kenny]

I only want up to 4 computers connected.. I dont need a
hardware firewall ( I will use XPSP2 firewall on the pcs) .. I just want to
connect my ADSL modem (its just a simple ethernet adsl modem) so that its
always on, and the other computers connect to the internet and between
themselves (for file and printer sharring). I want to be able to use EMULE,
and other programs than need ports open directly to the internet, without
the (router, hub, switch) getting in the way. All PCs with have static ip
addresses (internal network).

I DONT WANT TO FIDDLE WIITH PORTS... I want to be as if I am directly
connected to the internet with only the XPSP2 software firewall...

Router, hub, switch... whats the best for my situation?

 

[Jim]

Router, because you still need to "route" the traffic locally to and from
the Internet. If the firewall is an issue, simply disable it! (if this
isn't available as a direct option, just open all the ports). If you want
to use one of your PCs as a gateway, such as ICS, then you can get away w/ a
plain switch (never use a hub, very inefficient and no cheaper than a
switch, but in a pinch, a hub will work).

Jim

 

[kenny]

I don't even need the modem to be always on.. I can dial up on it from a
computer, cant I do that through a switch?

 

[Leythos]

I only want up to 4 computers connected.. I dont need a
hardware firewall ( I will use XPSP2 firewall on the pcs) .. I just want to
connect my ADSL modem (its just a simple ethernet adsl modem) so that its
always on, and the other computers connect to the internet and between
themselves (for file and printer sharring). I want to be able to use EMULE,
and other programs than need ports open directly to the internet, without
the (router, hub, switch) getting in the way. All PCs with have static ip
addresses (internal network).

I DONT WANT TO FIDDLE WIITH PORTS... I want to be as if I am directly
connected to the internet with only the XPSP2 software firewall...

Router, hub, switch... whats the best for my situation?

Since a HUB, Switch, won't let you SHARE the ADSL connection, unless you
purchase 4 IP for your ADSL service, you don't have much choice except
to use some form of NAT, which also means some form of port-forwarding
if you want inbound access from the public to your machines.

You could also purchase additional ADSL lines for your other systems and
then not have to deal with ports.

You could also stop using P2P sharing programs to get access to pirated
media, then you could use a simple NAT router without any need to
forward ports.

 

[kenny]

I dont understand why I need to "route" and not to "switch" lol.....

 

[Jim]

Because as someone else mentioned, since you're using local, internally
assigned IPs (e.g., 192.168.x.x), these are meaningless to the outside world
(i.e., Internet). Your ISP typically assigns you ONE external IP address
(e.g., 206.192.1.10) which is only assignable to one network device,
typically your PC's NIC (network card). For the simple, one computer case,
heck, you don't even need a switch or hub either, you just patch the
cable/dsl modem directly to your PC.

But now you want more than one computer to *share* that one external IP,
right? Well the only way to do that is with a router, which will provide NAT
(Network Address Translation) and *map* that one external IP from your ISP,
to the internal IPs you've assigned to your PCs (or optionally use the
router's DHCP service to assign them dynamically). That's why you need the
router.

On the other hand, if you purchase multiple IPs from your ISP, you can get
away w/o the router and just use a switch/hub because every PC is directly
mapped to one of those external IPs. But of course, most people don't
choose this latter option because of the expense. It's much cheaper to
*share* a single external IP which is mapped to the WAN port of the router,
then uses NAT to map them to internal IPs.

Jim

 

[kenny]

WRONG!

There is more to eMule than pirated media.. but I guess thats all you know
about what P2P networks are about.

 

[David Vair]

Get yourself a router that has a switch built into them most are that way now. I use a Motorola
Wirless router that has 4 port wired switch in back, Linksys are the same way. Run ASDL Modem -->
Router --> computers. Follow directions that come with router to setup your home network. Thet are
easy to set up if you read which way the manual suggets.

 

[Yves Leclerc]

ADSL modems do not use a "dialing" up method. They are always ON.

You need a ROUTER. You are using static ip adresses (internal network --
private IP address range) and these need to NAT (network address translation)
to public IP addresses. Since most ISPs only provide 1 public IP address to
a personal ADSL service, you will be "charged" for any additional public IP
addresses (or even blocked.)


Do all four PCs require Emule? If only one requires Emule, you could set up a
DMZ (de-militarised zone) port to just that one PC.

BTW: The SP2 firewall is very limited and should only be used as a
"temporary" measure while looking for a better firewall.


Also, please not that a lot a Peer to Peer sharing systems are being
"shutdown" because of all the lawsuits that the media industries are filing.
A few have already closed.

 

[Leythos]

WRONG!

There is more to eMule than pirated media.. but I guess thats all you know
about what P2P networks are about.

Ha Ha Ha - what a bunch of sanctimonious BS. 99% of all that I've seen
with clients, sororities, frats, schools, people's homes, etc.. has all
been so they could get pirated material. In the last 3 years, with all
the P2P apps I've seen, not once have I seen ANYONE use them ethically
all the time. Sure, I'm limited to about 400 cases, in different cities
across the USA, but even with that small sampling I think I have a large
enough experience base to say that P2P apps are not needed by most of
the people that use them, and most of them allow malware a backdoor onto
the users machine without them knowing about it.

 

[Richard Urban]

Please tell us how you are using emule for "legal" purposes! I can't think
of one.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

WRONG!

There is more to eMule than pirated media.. but I guess thats all you know
about what P2P networks are about.

 

[kenny]

I have to go to the CONNECT TO icon and start my connection
with a username of type (e-mail address removed)
and password... this is ASDL, PPPOE
and you have to do this eatch time your pc starts with the
type of modem I have that is connected directly to my pc
via ethernet cable. Furthermore I am not is USA or CANADA,
so systems may vary.

This is not dial up, but the connection is not live if I do not connect
doing what I described before.

 

[kenny]

THANKS TO ALL (accept Leythos) for the helpfull info.

 

[kenny]

I can't think of one.


Hello Richard,

Your quote is of a person with an open mind.
Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher said it first though, when he said:
"The only thing that I know is that I know nothing" showing how open the man
was to new knowledge and taking nothing for granted.


I will explain in the near future about the use of emule. You will hear from
me soon since you are a MVP.
Do you have a personal site? I mean one that you have your MVP and/or
technology stuff.


Thanks,

Kenny S

Please tell us how you are using emule for "legal" purposes! I can't think
of one.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[NoNoBadDog!]

I only want up to 4 computers connected.. I dont need a
hardware firewall ( I will use XPSP2 firewall on the pcs) .. I just want
to connect my ADSL modem (its just a simple ethernet adsl modem) so that
its always on, and the other computers connect to the internet and between
themselves (for file and printer sharring). I want to be able to use
EMULE, and other programs than need ports open directly to the internet,
without the (router, hub, switch) getting in the way. All PCs with have
static ip addresses (internal network).

I DONT WANT TO FIDDLE WIITH PORTS... I want to be as if I am directly
connected to the internet with only the XPSP2 software firewall...

Router, hub, switch... whats the best for my situation?

You can *ONLY* use a router. A switch or Hub will not facilitate sharing of
the internet connection.

In addition, the firewall that is included with windows SP2 is inbound only.
You have no outbound protection. Most routers sold these days use NAT
(Network Address Translation) and have firewall technology built in, much
greater protection than the simplistic SP2 firewall.

With a router, you will not have to "mess with ports" or any of the other
things you describe.

Finally, you will need serious Antivirus, adware, spyware and malware
protection running Emule.
Every P2P network is rife with viruses, trojans, dialers, keyloggers, etc.
P2P is more danger than it is worth.

Bobby

 

[NoNoBadDog!]

The only reason that *any* P2P network exists to facilitate the illegal
sharing of copyrighted material. You cannot justify their existence in any
other way. Your moral values are obviously low enough that being a thief
does not bother you, which is your right, I guess. You cannot defend the use
of any P2P for anything other than theft.

Bobby

WRONG!

There is more to eMule than pirated media.. but I guess thats all you know
about what P2P networks are about.

 

[Sunny]

I have to go to the CONNECT TO icon and start my connection
with a username of type (e-mail address removed)
and password... this is ASDL, PPPOE
and you have to do this eatch time your pc starts with the
type of modem I have that is connected directly to my pc
via ethernet cable. Furthermore I am not is USA or CANADA,
so systems may vary.

Another reason you need a router - it will do the PPPOE login on behalf
of the 4 PCs. When you set up the router, you tell it your username and
password.

This is not dial up, but the connection is not live if I do not connect
doing what I described before.

Most routers can be configured to either keep the connection permanently
live, or connect on demand (whenever one of your PCs tries to reach the
Internet) then drop the connection after a period of inactivity.

 

[Triffid]

The only reason that *any* P2P network exists to facilitate the illegal
sharing of copyrighted material. You cannot justify their existence in any
other way. Your moral values are obviously low enough that being a thief
does not bother you, which is your right, I guess. You cannot defend the use
of any P2P for anything other than theft.

Bobby
Nonsense.

http://www.weedshare.com/
http://www.peerimpact.com/
http://www.mashboxx.com/

Triffid

 

[Jim]

FWIW, I can think of one -- software distribution, which is already
happening w/ a number of companies. And in the future, expect to see
movies, TV broadcasts, and anything else involving HUGE files for large #'s
of ppl employing this technology. How else are they going to distribute all
that data to your desktop, PDA, cellphone, Tivo, etc.

I'll grant you 99% of it is illegitimate TODAY, but this is only the
beginning. Eventually the technology will be harnessed to deliver content,
software, etc., out of pure necessity, and ironically by those complaining
the loudest today. There is no other choice. Client/server will simply
never scale adequately to handle this much data for so many ppl. p2p is
going to be around a looooooong time to come, perhaps in other incarnations,
but p2p nonetheless.

Jim

The only reason that *any* P2P network exists to facilitate the illegal
sharing of copyrighted material. You cannot justify their existence in any
other way. Your moral values are obviously low enough that being a thief
does not bother you, which is your right, I guess. You cannot defend the use
of any P2P for anything other than theft.

Bobby

 

[Jim]

I should have specifically mentioned BitTorrent, it's being used for
software distribution TODAY.

Jim

FWIW, I can think of one -- software distribution, which is already
happening w/ a number of companies. And in the future, expect to see
movies, TV broadcasts, and anything else involving HUGE files for large #'s
of ppl employing this technology. How else are they going to distribute all
that data to your desktop, PDA, cellphone, Tivo, etc.

I'll grant you 99% of it is illegitimate TODAY, but this is only the
beginning. Eventually the technology will be harnessed to deliver content,
software, etc., out of pure necessity, and ironically by those complaining
the loudest today. There is no other choice. Client/server will simply
never scale adequately to handle this much data for so many ppl. p2p is
going to be around a looooooong time to come, perhaps in other incarnations,
but p2p nonetheless.

Jim

The only reason that *any* P2P network exists to facilitate the illegal
sharing of copyrighted material. You cannot justify their existence in any
other way. Your moral values are obviously low enough that being a thief
does not bother you, which is your right, I guess. You cannot defend the use
of any P2P for anything other than theft.

Bobby

WRONG!

There is more to eMule than pirated media.. but I guess thats all you know
about what P2P networks are about.