Switch no router

[carajean206]

Ok I am tryin to set up a home network and I got a switch for the main reason that around my town a switch network is 40 bucks cheaper than a router network. So the questions I would like answers to are: how can i assign the computer on the switch networks ip ( cause my isp will charge me if they have to do it) or will my switch give ips?

 

[Crusty]

You are going to need a router unless you want to pay more to your ISP for more IPs.

A basic non-wireless router can be had for < $40. Just keep an eye out in your local best buy/comp usa/fry's/staples/whatever else for deals on networking equipment.

There is not a big difference between most brands, although I personally recommend D-Link or Linksys.

If you need wireless, look into the Linksys WRT54G. I just set one up for a client, it was really easy to setup and has lots of features. The final price after rebates was $40

 

[sswingle]

Hence the reason switches are cheaper than routers. A switch doesn't do as much

 

[JackMDS]

Switches are cheaper than Routers.:shocked:

It is always amazes me people are getting broadband Internet that cost $30 and above every month in the most important thing is to save one time few $$$.

In any case: Wireless 802.11g Cable/DSL Router for $9.99 after rebate.

This Router is even a WDS capable.

What is WDS: http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Modes.html

It even has a 4 ports switch in the same box.

In the late 19th century when the first Car like machine appeared on the muddy road the horse industry demanded in that a low would pass that in front of every car would ride a man on a horse with a red flag warning people that a car is coming.

The ongoing discussion about Entry Level Router is similar.

The year is 2005 if you want to share a Broadband Connection you use a Router, you do not need horses with Red Flag.

:sun:

 

[Changlinn]

I agree with you JackMDS to an extent.
There are somethings you can do with smoothwal/ipcop/linux software router that you can't do with a cheap hardware router. Like stateful packet inspection, special "zones", vpn termination. But then again these type of services are not really needed for most home users, so for simplicities sake go for a hardware router, hell here in australia there is a company that imports Billion routers, one of them has a 3 year warranty, 5 port 10/100, wireless, and nat firewall with built in dsl modem for AU$100 thats about US$70, cmon that is damn cheap so you can get a 5 port switch for $20, but then have to stuff around for days getting your wireless,wired connection working.
Get a router you can always use the switch you already have to connect more computers to your network, heck I have a 24 port 10/100 plugged into my router, but then again I have too many pc's.

 

[nweaver]

not to muddy the water here...but you could use the switch . Setup 2 IP's on computer one, (one DHCP, the other static priviate IP) Turn on/configure ICS (although I think it wants to serve DHCP for wizard ICS). Setup private IP on comp 2....it's messy, and you might piss off your ISP if you screw up and start spamming the network with broadcasts and dishing private IP's to their customers, but it's still possible.


Go buy a router, Microsoft Wireless G w/4 port switch is 20 bucks after rebate at several places I have seen.