Looking for Router/Switch to Share Internet Connection/Network Computers

[MarkW]

Currently I have a 5 port Linksys Hub for my home network. This is
connected to another hub which connects to two other desktops as well
a WAP which is used for my laptop. As well, this main hub which is
hooked onto my main computer is connected to a 3rd desktop as well as
two networked printers. The way I have it currently set up I have a
broadband modem connected to my main computer.
I use Windows Internet Connection Sharing then to share this
connection with the other computers. The problem with this is if my
main computer goes down for any reason the internet connection then
doesn't work with the other computers. As well, I use ZoneAlarm on
all computers for firewall protection. It is supposed to work with
Internet Connection Sharing but yet I can't get it to and don't want
to go without a firewall. I have a friend who has a router set up to
share his internet connection which solves this problem but yet it
doesn't actually network his computers. He isn't able to share his
printer, files, or anything which is important to me. I have a
printer connected via usb to this main computer and store all main
data files on this computer and use it mainly as a server. Is there
any type of hardware available that will act as a router to share my
internet connection without me having to use Internet Connection
Sharing but as well share my printer and files? I saw the BEFSR81 but
does this do that? As well, when I read up on this there was talk of
a lot of quality issues.

 

[Ken Maltby]

Currently I have a 5 port Linksys Hub for my home network. This is
connected to another hub which connects to two other desktops as well
a WAP which is used for my laptop. As well, this main hub which is
hooked onto my main computer is connected to a 3rd desktop as well as
two networked printers. The way I have it currently set up I have a
broadband modem connected to my main computer.
I use Windows Internet Connection Sharing then to share this
connection with the other computers. The problem with this is if my
main computer goes down for any reason the internet connection then
doesn't work with the other computers. As well, I use ZoneAlarm on
all computers for firewall protection. It is supposed to work with
Internet Connection Sharing but yet I can't get it to and don't want
to go without a firewall. I have a friend who has a router set up to
share his internet connection which solves this problem but yet it
doesn't actually network his computers. He isn't able to share his
printer, files, or anything which is important to me. I have a
printer connected via usb to this main computer and store all main
data files on this computer and use it mainly as a server. Is there
any type of hardware available that will act as a router to share my
internet connection without me having to use Internet Connection
Sharing but as well share my printer and files? I saw the BEFSR81 but
does this do that? As well, when I read up on this there was talk of
a lot of quality issues.

The Linksys router should do what you want, but you might
want to consider just using the router to supply an Internet
interface and get a Gigabit Switch for the rest.

I am still using my old trusty BEFSR41 which I have connected
to an 8 port 10/100/1000Mbps Auto-Sensing Gigabit Switch
(an SMC 8508T that supports Jumbo packets). With this simple
setup I can access the Internet from any of the 8 devices all at
the same time if I wish (I've only done it with three at the same
time so far, with no problems noted. I'll try it with more someday.)

Luck;
Ken

 

[kony]

Currently I have a 5 port Linksys Hub for my home network. This is
connected to another hub which connects to two other desktops as well
a WAP which is used for my laptop. As well, this main hub which is
hooked onto my main computer is connected to a 3rd desktop as well as
two networked printers. The way I have it currently set up I have a
broadband modem connected to my main computer.
I use Windows Internet Connection Sharing then to share this
connection with the other computers. The problem with this is if my
main computer goes down for any reason the internet connection then
doesn't work with the other computers.

Get a router then turn off ICS.
Many have a 4 or 5 port switch built in, though with the
hubs you have you dont' necessarily need the switch feature
but might as well use it too.

Router brand doesn't matter so much, unless you have
specific advanced-feature needs. They all do the basic
routing feature you need.

As well, I use ZoneAlarm on
all computers for firewall protection. It is supposed to work with
Internet Connection Sharing but yet I can't get it to and don't want
to go without a firewall. I have a friend who has a router set up to
share his internet connection which solves this problem but yet it
doesn't actually network his computers. He isn't able to share his
printer, files, or anything which is important to me.

There is no reason the computers and printers can't be
networked together on the lan behind a router. I suspect
your friend simply doesn't have his network set up properly.

Since your systems currently do this, you should be able to
simply add the router, disable ICS, and have it work as you
wish.

I have a
printer connected via usb to this main computer and store all main
data files on this computer and use it mainly as a server. Is there
any type of hardware available that will act as a router to share my
internet connection without me having to use Internet Connection
Sharing but as well share my printer and files? I saw the BEFSR81 but
does this do that? As well, when I read up on this there was talk of
a lot of quality issues.

All routers do this. There is nothing about a generic
run-of-the-mill router that would prevent sharing files,
folders, printers, etc, the same as you do now. I wonder if
your friend has some odd setup where his main PC has a USB
modem and that PC is connected to the router's WAN port?

Does your modem have a network port or only USB? If it has
a network port it should be connected directly to the
router's WAN port. The remaining systems on you lan get
plugged into the LAN ports (part of the switch built-in to
the router), and/or connected to your present hubs that are
connected to the router's LAN ports.

In other words, any generic router is designed to do what
you've expressed need for... that is a bare minimum feature
set of the one you list above or practically all other
consumer routers. It might help to read a few networking
tutorials, and product reviews... there are a few here or
google for others;

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/

 

[kony]

The Linksys router should do what you want, but you might
want to consider just using the router to supply an Internet
interface and get a Gigabit Switch for the rest.

IF someone were buying a switch, I agree that a Gigabit is a
good option today, but ...

I am still using my old trusty BEFSR41 which I have connected
to an 8 port 10/100/1000Mbps Auto-Sensing Gigabit Switch
(an SMC 8508T that supports Jumbo packets). With this simple
setup I can access the Internet from any of the 8 devices all at
the same time if I wish (I've only done it with three at the same
time so far, with no problems noted. I'll try it with more someday.)

There is no need to buy the Gigabit switch to "access the
Internet from any of the 8 devices". If he buys any generic
router he can already do that with his existing hubs. Given
even further segragation of network traffic by the switch
integral in almost every modern consumer grade router,
network traffic shouldn't be an issue either on a home lan
with only a few systems (and even less so for the low
bandwidth requirements of the internet).

 

[Ken Maltby]

IF someone were buying a switch, I agree that a Gigabit is a
good option today, but ...



There is no need to buy the Gigabit switch to "access the
Internet from any of the 8 devices". If he buys any generic
router he can already do that with his existing hubs. Given
even further segragation of network traffic by the switch
integral in almost every modern consumer grade router,
network traffic shouldn't be an issue either on a home lan
with only a few systems (and even less so for the low
bandwidth requirements of the internet).

Yes, I agree - but - (you knew that was coming) it's not
just an Internet issue, and the $90 or so spent on a switch
provides for a lot of future proofing as well as additional
ports.

All I said is that he should consider it. If he already
has any Gigabit capable devices, there is an immediate
advantage, but in any case he well certainly be seeing
Gigabit capabilities in any future component purchases.
The "Auto-Sensing" capabilities of modern switches makes
setting up and maintaining a home LAN a breeze. It's a lot
cheaper to just add a switch with the latest features than to
go for a new router with the new features on its built-in
switch.

The description of how my setup works was not meant to
imply that it was the only way to go. There are plenty of
ways to do the job.

Luck;
Ken

 

[MarkW]

Thanks for all the info. I believe 2, maybe 3 of the desktops all
support Gigabit so I will be going that way but I think all of my
switches are 10/100. Since I already have the switches are there any
good routers I should look at, that are simply that with no switch in?
My modem has both a USB and lan port. I am using USB now but as
mentioned will use the lan port to go to the WAN connector on a
router.

 

[Ken Maltby]

Thanks for all the info. I believe 2, maybe 3 of the desktops all
support Gigabit so I will be going that way but I think all of my
switches are 10/100. Since I already have the switches are there any
good routers I should look at, that are simply that with no switch in?
My modem has both a USB and lan port. I am using USB now but as
mentioned will use the lan port to go to the WAN connector on a
router.

You might want to read before posting. If all your switches
are 10/100 you can't be "going that way" to Gigabit performance.

You might want to look at a Gigabit router like the D-Link
"GamerLounge Broadband Gigabit Gaming Router" ~$100
for the four port wired version. (~$125 for the version that
includes wireless) If you are a Gamer, it boasts some added
features, but it should function well for most uses. There are
plenty of others to choose from. LinkSys has always been
good for me, I haven't run into any reliability or update
problems.

If you find a good cheap 10/100 router you can add a
Gigabit switch and have more ports available. It looks like the
pricing for some of the new Gigabit Routers may make that a
cheaper way to go, though.

Luck;
Ken

 

[kony]

Yes, I agree - but - (you knew that was coming) it's not
just an Internet issue, and the $90 or so spent on a switch
provides for a lot of future proofing as well as additional
ports.

Quite true, though at this time he isn't going to be able to
replace the router with a switch since they are different
functions, and his router will have the switch inside so he
can replace the hubs with the Gb switch at any time but not
needing to do it for the expressed goal of the thread.

All I said is that he should consider it. If he already
has any Gigabit capable devices, there is an immediate
advantage, but in any case he well certainly be seeing
Gigabit capabilities in any future component purchases.
The "Auto-Sensing" capabilities of modern switches makes
setting up and maintaining a home LAN a breeze. It's a lot
cheaper to just add a switch with the latest features than to
go for a new router with the new features on its built-in
switch.

True, there's not much point in paying a premium for a
Gigabit router today when the switch and router separate are
so inexpensive.

The description of how my setup works was not meant to
imply that it was the only way to go. There are plenty of
ways to do the job.

All I was getting at was that he needs routing to avoid
running the ICS dependant on a PC, but it will do what he
needed with his current equipment. Gigabit lan is very
useful and well worthwhile for anyone with large files but
since he made no mention of any lan speed issues besides the
internet sharing which is well below 100Mb...

 

[MarkW]

I know I wouldn't have gigabit yet with the 10/100 switches but
figured it may be cheaper to get just a router since I don't need the
switch and down the line when gigabit goes down switch my network to
gigabit switches. I know even 802.11n is down the line for faster
wi-fi which is why I"m not big on getting one with wireless built in.
Seems like it may be nicer to have separate units to upgrade. I will
look at the Linksys product you mentioned.