At 08:57 PM -0600 02/05/2003, Mike T. wrote: >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?
A hub is a dumb octopus. It electrically connects all the ethernet interfaces together and passes data *blindly* between them. A switch is a smart/fast hub. It passes data to the specific interface the packets are addressed to, instead of reflecting them onto every port. This acts the same as a hub, but it's much faster (and more expensive). A cable modem is, technically, a semi-smart bridge. It intelligently bridges the coax signal to/from ethernet. (kindof like a minimalistic router) It also does some encryption/decryption and other access control stuff. If your ISP has set your cable modem to only permit one computer to talk to the internet, then that's it - only the first computer the modem sees can talk. [more technical details upon request] But if you purchase additional IPs from your ISP, then the other computers can talk also. >Do I have to shut down one computer in order for the other to get access? The issue is not shutting down your computers, it is convincing your cable modem to recognize the other computer. To do that you'll have to stop accessing the internet from the first computer, properly power-cycle the modem to make it forget the MAC address of that first computer, then make the 2nd computer obtain a DHCP lease. A PITA process. >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. This would work. But the NAT routing stuff that comes with Winblows is rather unstable, very slow, and holey (security wise). > If this is not possible, then I'll have to get a refund on the >switch and get a router. Help me understand....... Get a router. :) - Dan. -- 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
