I see this issue questioned all the time, and maybe I need some clarification. I run a cable modem to the internet and have 2 other computers connecting thru a hub using ICS. I see comments about using a router and plugging the router into the modem and then the computers into the router. If you go the router route (woa) and I understand it correctly, you will need a different IP address for each computer if they are on the internet at the same time. For internet access thru most ISP's this will not work unless you want pay for the additional address's at about $5.00 to $7.00 per address. With ICS all computers use the same address(?) and can all connect at the same time. Please correct me if I am wrong, as I would love to go with the router. des

As 4 me, i rather use router switch if i got more than 2 pc. ICS not so good. ICS also using diff ip. U wont get extra paid if using router. by using router u can use on more than 100 pc(depend on ur router)using single dsl line. I duno how to explain much. I hope im correct. DSL | | modem | | Switch / Hub | | | | | | Pc1 Pc2 Pc3

http://www.gyre.co.uk/help/broadband/connection_sharing.php http://computer.howstuffworks.com/router1.htm http://www.homenethelp.com/ics/index.asp http://www.winntmag.com/articles/index.cfm?articleid=21189

Thanks for the replies. I will check everything out. des

For those of us who hate having to click on other links the answer is very short. You do NOT need additional ips from your ISP The router lan side provides DHCP which will give you local ip addresses THAT ARE NOT THE SAME as the one provide by the ISP. This is referred to as NAT network address translation and is the first layer to securing your network.

Just to add what Wanderer has said. Your router will allocate an address usually in the range 192.168.xxx.xxx. This is a block of addresses deginated as private IP addresses. There are other blocks as well. There are hundreds of thousands, if not millions of computers throughout the world with IP addresses in this range and they all have one thing in common. They are operating behind a router performing Network Address Translation. Using ICS does the same thing, only in software. Stuart

Thanks to all that replied. Guess I have been in the dark on this issue. Guess I will be getting a router. des