A hub and a firewall/router serve different purposes.
In the simplest possible cable-modem setup, you plug the cable modem
directly into a single computer. No hub, no router ... but no flexibility
either, and not much security (only whatever the cable-modem ISP provides,
and they are not notorious for good security).
You could plug the cable modem directly into a hub, then plug your 2 clients
into the same hub. With many cable-modem sevices (actually, with all the c-m
services I'm personally familiar with), this won't work, because you only
have one IP address, and this is no way to share it. If your cable-modem
provider suggests it, though, it may provides some sort of service offering
that lets you get multiple IP addresses at your site. You still have lousy
security, though.
Or you could plug the cable modem into an LRP router/firewall, then plug the
other interface of the router/firewall into a hub, then plug your 2 clients
into the hub. Note that you still need a hub here (or you could use a
different physical layer, such as thinnet, but I'll put that possibility
aside and assume we are sticking with UTP connections). This lets the
clients share a single IP address (through IP Masquerading) and provides
some security against attacks from outside (either the Internet at large or
other customers of the same cable-modem provider).
In short, if the cable-modem provider really offers a service that lets yu
connect the cable modem directly to a hub, it will almost surely be "easier
to set up" than an LRP router/firewall. The price is lower security and,
perhaps, a higher chrge from the cable-modem ISP (multiple addresses are
usually a higher-tier service offering).
One other possibility to consider is that the cable-modem support person
misspoke when suggesting you add a "hub". There are some devices on the
market that combine the functions of a NAT'ing firewall/router and a hub. If
you look in the LRP list archives, you should find some brand names, though
they slip my mind this morning. The support staffer might have had such a
device in mind. These are easier to set up than an LRP router/firewall. but
the price is a lesser ability to customize and a higher price.
At 03:11 PM 5/14/00 +0000, Chris Wrobel wrote:
>Ok I finally decided to get cable for my house.
>Now before ordering I wanted to ask a few questions.
>I have two computers at home which I'd like to have connected to the
>net.
>I heard about and read the IP- Masquerade Howto, as a way to achieve
>that.
>One computer is a windows and the other linux, my friend has an old 486
>kicking around his house and I thought I could use it for that purpose,
>The cable company suggest getting a hub to make things work,
>I was wondering what was the difference between a hub and using a 486 as
>a Linux box with IP_MASQUERADING,
>and which one would be easier to setup??
>Thanks..
------------------------------------"Never tell me the odds!"---
Ray Olszewski -- Han Solo
Palo Alto, CA [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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