Sorry, I'm jumping into the middle of this becasue I just started following this thread now... But here's my two cents...
First off, a lot of good information has flowed through here. If it leaves your head spinning or doesn't make sense straight away, I'd fall back on Dan's earloer suggestion "get a router" ;-) Let's clarify... Generally speaking, most high speed ISP's will only allow you to connect one machine to the internet through their service. They assign that machine a specific IP address that it can use to do so. If you have multiple machines and want them to access the internet as well, they will usually sell you additional IP addresses at additional cost. Should you wish to go this route, a hub or switch will do just fine for you with no other equipment. But frankly, your paying a premium for high speed access anyway. By adding a router (or a proxy server) you can connect many machines (more than you'll ever use) onto the single internet connection without having to pay for additional IP addresses from your ISP. The difference between a router and a proxy server is that the router is a piece of hardware, and is self-contained, easy to setup, adn easy to maintain. It also doesn't require additional overhaed on any of your computers. A proxy server will require two network cards in one of the machines (the one it's installed on) and it is a piece of software that runs on that particular machine and basically emulates the same functions as the router. If you don't know all the ins and outs of setting up an IP network, subnetting and the like, then do yourself a favor, don't try to setup a proxy server, and go buy a router. It's an investment that will cost you less than $100, is basically plug and play, and will be well worth it for all the headaches you'll save. If your a die hard and want to configure the proxy server, then by all means, set it up. Generally, if you have the extra network cards, you can setup the proxy server for free and save yourself the $50-$70 the router will cost you. If your going to setup a proxy server, put it on your fastest machine! It will take up processing power (not a lot) from teh machine it runs on all the time (whether your online or not). I've gotta tell you... I've got a good background in networking. I've run both at home. A year ago, I shut down my proxy server (running on a Windows 98 PC and servicing three other windows PC's and three Macs) and bought a router. I was tired of the headaches and hassles of upkeeping the proxy server and making everythign work. I have no regrets. The router does everythign my proxy server did, but I don't have any of the overhead work that I had before. I would totally recommend a router to anyone wnating to share an internet connection who doesn't have a lot of experience in metworking. As for Mike (I think it was) who bought a hub (or a switch - I don't remember) cause the guy at the computer store told him thats what he'd need... The guy at the computer store was right, if you want to pay your ISP additional cash for each machine you want to connect. Otherwise, the router is what you wanted. But, since you have the hub, you could buy a router without an integrated switch which would be a little cheaper... keep your hub and use that as well. Would it be cost effective? Dunno... Have to look and see... Cheers, Sionnach __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.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
