I have two pc's, each have RJ-45 cable sockets, I want them to share the cable modem connected to NTL broadband for internet access. The question is, what device is best, a network hub or a broadband router? My cable modem box has a RJ-45 and USB output sockets. I am currently using RJ-45 to my main machine. Would I therefore require two extra RJ-45 leads so as to connect the two pc's in a "Y" via the hub or router? I wish to allow printer sharing of these two pc's but not file sharing, and I dont want to have both pc's switched ON to enable internet access on either machine. I am new to networking, and I apologise if this question has already been answered but I don't know the difference between a hub and a router. TIA

a solution other than a router will require the host pc to be on for the other to access the internet. a router allows each pc to operate independently. Al

Thank you

The correct answer to your question depends on wheither your NTL broadband modem gives out more then one ip address. If it does then you can use a hub or switch. If it does NOT, which is usually the case, then you need a router. You can also do Internet Connection Sharing [ICS] but this will require some networking experience and a second nic in the pc connecting to the internet. This pc acts as a router for the 2nd pc. Lots of faqs and how tos on the net and here concerning the subject.

I recommend the router. It's by far the easiest and most maintenance-free solution. They're so cheap now that the cost compares to buying a hub and all the cables. I recently found one (Hawking) for $10. Yeah a real router with DHCP and everything. 10 bucks. I grabbed two....don't quite know why now, I mean I already had one. Heat of the moment I guess.