So wait a minute....If I have a PC and a Mac plugged into a switching hub, only one computer at a time will be able to get internet access at a time? Do I have to shut down one computer in order for the other to get access? I suppose I could route the Mac's access through the PC (I have WinXP Professional) since the PC stays on 24-7, but I'd rather just plug them all in and go. If this is not possible, then I'll have to get a refund on the switch and get a router. Help me understand....... ................................Mike T. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Chris Loehr" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "PCI PowerMacs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, February 05, 2003 3:36 AM Subject: Fw: Re: router vs. hub
COULD SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A "ROUTER" AND A SWITCHER?" A router allows you to take 1 IP address like provided by your DSL or Cable company and then assigns multiple new IP addresses (most routers do up to 256 new IP addresses) so multiple users can access the internet at the same time. A router usually requires some setup through a web browser. A hub or switch like another post said is basically dumb. All it does is split the signal out to multiple computers. No setup is required, just plug it in and go. Since you already have a router assigning new IP addresses, you can now just hook up a hub or switch to one of the ports on the route and add more computers. Think of it like the telphone line coming into your house. Only one person can use it at a time, no matter how many extensions are in the house. Same with a hub. Only one person can use the internet at a time even though multiple computers are plugged into the hub. A router is like adding more telephone lines into your house with new numbers. The router becomes the switching station creating the new numbers for you to use. So you can add more users at your own whim. This of course does not increase your bandwidth in any way. You still only have whatever is coming into the router from the telephone or cable company to use even though you have multiple users. HTH Chris -- PCI-PowerMacs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Sonnet & PowerLogix Upgrades - start at $169 | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> PCI-PowerMacs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/pci-powermacs.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive:<http://www.mail-archive.com/pci-powermacs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com -- PCI-PowerMacs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Sonnet & PowerLogix Upgrades - start at $169 | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> PCI-PowerMacs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/pci-powermacs.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive:<http://www.mail-archive.com/pci-powermacs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
