Hardware

Ask something
Discussion Locked

Routers & Hubs

0 helpful
8 replies

by gemailhiot

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

I have a client who will shortly be connected to a Cable hi-speed internet connection. The client already operates a 5-station peer-to-peer network cabled through an 8-port hub.

The cable company has told them that they will have to get a router.Can't the cable modem just plug into the network hub as ADSL modems do?

Thanks

gilles mailhiot

8 replies

by alpha-male

Your choices are using a cable modem router (which you can connect to your existing hub) or you can install a second NIC in your server, set up NAT translation (Masquerading), and configure your systems to access the internet through the default gateway. This second method is quite good as it will also offer a degree of security to your system by masking your users IP addresses. No, it's not *comprehensive* security, but it's a start. How you set this up will, of course, depend on the operatingsystem you are using...

Good Luck!

by maxwell edison

If you want to share a cable modem connection between computers, and the ISP gives you only one IP address, you need to have some sort of gateway. This can be done with software running on a PC, but it is a lot more convenient to do it with a small stand-alone router. All the standard stuff like DHCP client for the WAN side, DHCP server for the LAN side, NAT (Network Address Translation) is all handled by the router, so there is no need for setting any of the computers up in any special way to make this work. And if you are using an ISP that charges you extra for additional IP addresses, you can save that money with a router.

Loo at this link for clear and simple answers to some questions that may come up concerning cable modems and high speed Internet connections. There are also some helpful tips available.

http://www.cable-modems.org/

(REMOVE SPACES from the pasted URL.)

Maxwell

by jereg

I would second what Maxwell said, and I'd recommend an SMC Barricade. I installed one recently. It was easy, had all the bells and whistles you'd want, DHCP, NAT, etc., as well as having a built in printer port. With a peer-to- peer network, you canhave 1 printer on the router and it will handle printing functions without having a PC turned on. It's about $80.00.
Hope that helps.

This discussion is closed to new replies.