Can a Linksys hub hook up multiple PC to Earthlink internet access?

[ruthless]

I'm trying to hook up two PC to Earthlink Internet access.
I hook a Linksys hub, called Linksys 5-port Workgroup Hub,
to the Toshiba cable modem - Model#DAZ8813F - from
Earthlink/Time Warner. Then I hook the two PC to the
Linksys hub. But only one of them works at any given time.
The task-bar message I get for the disconnected one is "the
connection is limited or down", something close to that.

Before I've used the same Linksys hub to hook up multiple PC
to Verizon DSL and Adephia Cable internet services. The hub
would just grab its IP and work automatically. I know they
all said "use a router", but this hub worked.

Earthlink is not giving any support as long as one PC is
connected to the Internet. Can any one of you help or give
some ideas please? Do I really need to fork out for a
router?

 

[GlowingBlueMist]

I'm trying to hook up two PC to Earthlink Internet access.
I hook a Linksys hub, called Linksys 5-port Workgroup Hub,
to the Toshiba cable modem - Model#DAZ8813F - from
Earthlink/Time Warner. Then I hook the two PC to the
Linksys hub. But only one of them works at any given time.
The task-bar message I get for the disconnected one is "the
connection is limited or down", something close to that.

Before I've used the same Linksys hub to hook up multiple PC
to Verizon DSL and Adephia Cable internet services. The hub
would just grab its IP and work automatically. I know they
all said "use a router", but this hub worked.

Earthlink is not giving any support as long as one PC is
connected to the Internet. Can any one of you help or give
some ideas please? Do I really need to fork out for a
router?

DSL and Cable modems can be set (and locked) by the ISP provider to provide
a single IP address to a single PC or device. Some ISP's have on occasion
locked the acquiring of an IP address to the individualized MAC address
built into every Ethernet card. Change PC's or Ethernet cards and you have
to call someone to "register" the new MAC address unless you have cloned it
to match the old MAC address. The more recent method in use allows the
"modem" to talk to the first PC it identifies and ignores all others,
regardless of MAC address. On this type you have to shut down the first PC
and possibly reset the "modem" in order for it to access the Internet. On
the above ISP's you must use a router or use internet sharing on the direct
connected PC and a second Ethernet card/cable to feed more than one computer
at a time.

Many ISP's set the "modems" to allow for multiple user devices (PC's). On
these providers you can use a hub or bridge to split the Ethernet signal
between multiple PC's. The ISP can set the number of PC's allowed to what
ever they choose or your service agreement states. If your provider does
allow for multiple computers then you can use a simple hub or bridge to
split the Ethernet signal provided you do not exceed the number of PC's that
the "modem" is set to allow.

It is not unheard of to have people on the same street as you, and using the
same provider, to have a 1 PC per "modem" limit and others on the same
street to have a limit of say 5. It all depends on when the account was
opened and which hub site that individual account is accessing to gain
access to the Internet.

If it were me I would use a router with a built in firewall. Even one with
just simple NAT'ing is better than a simple bridge which provides absolutely
zero security.

 

[ruthless]

What's a good wireless router? I have only $100 for the
router and two adapter cards for the two computers.

 

[Gary C]

What's a good wireless router? I have only $100 for the
router and two adapter cards for the two computers.
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=33-127-143&DEPA=5

 

[GlowingBlueMist]

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=33-127-143&DEPA=5

Not a bad machine for the price but watch out for the rebate offers. They
can be good or bad depending on the offer. In this case the rebate expired
on 04/17/2005 according to the web page I viewed.

D-Link makes good routers for home use. You might want to grab a Di-604 for
about $35 at newegg.com if you do not want wireless.

Another one might be the D-Link DI-704P which newegg shows at around $54. It
includes an IBM style parallel print server port along with the 4 PC
Ethernet ports. It will let you share one printer any of your computers
attached to the router with out having to leave a computer powered on all
the time to support the printer.

As for Ethernet cards, they can be had from $12 to $60 but so far I have had
just as good a luck using the cheaper cards as I have using the more
expensive ones unless I wanted a special feature like MAC address cloning or
a Boot ROM, which most people do not need or ever use. Just be sure to get
one that your computer slot supports and comes supplied with the drivers to
support your operating software.

You might want to pick a router model and do a Google search and see what
prices turn up as they can vary widely from store to store, and even from
day to day.