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Do I need a router?
Name: Nickyg Date: December 9, 2003 at 03:55:18 Pacific OS: W2K CPU/Ram: DURON/512
Comment:
I've got 3 computers on ethernet using a 5 port switch. One computer has a USB broadband modem and I use ICS. If I replace the USB modem with an ethernet one can I just plug it into a spare port on my switch or do I need a router sitting between the switch and the modem?
Name: Curt R Date: December 9, 2003 at 04:31:51 Pacific
Reply:
I'd recommend a router. It's entirely possible your switch would work but it doesn't have firewall or NAT technology built into it so it would take some doing to make your network secure against infiltration with just the switch.
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Response Number 2
Name: Stuart Date: December 9, 2003 at 05:05:44 Pacific
Reply:
The switch wouldn't work by itself. The lack of NAT would make sure of that.
The only other alternative besides a router is to install another NIC in the host computer, plug the Ethernet modem into that and continue using ICS.
Stuart
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Response Number 3
Name: kev100 Date: December 9, 2003 at 19:02:31 Pacific
Reply:
If the router has an UPLINK port (some routers have the last port as uplink or regular...with a little button that lets you toggle between the 2 types...I think some newer ones will autosense what is needed)
Anyway....if your router has an optional uplink port...make sure that port is in uplink mode and plug your ethernet modem in to that.
This worked for me a few years ago (when bb was still young)...it may still. If it does for you....just make sure that you have some sort of firewall installed on all your PC's (don't rely on XP's built-in firewall...get ZoneAlarm or something similar).
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Response Number 4
Name: kev100 Date: December 9, 2003 at 19:05:18 Pacific
Reply:
oops.....in the above reply...replace each occurance of "router" with "hub"....
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