hey, my girlfriend's two friends needed both of their xp machines to be connected to the internet via cable modem. So last night i purchased a linksys hub ($30 for me, free for them) Never got both computers online at the same time. I could click to "repair" one connection on one certain computer and the IP, subnet, and gateway etc would show under "statis" and the internet would work on that one computer.....while on the other computer under "statis" the IP would show but no subnet, gateway, etc. I could "repair" and restart and get one computer working at a time. * I saw this post where someone had a hub actually work with cable modem/internet>>>""""I have a couple of computers hooked sharing a cable modem. I was using a hub, no problem. I replaced the hub with a Linksys router -- my XP machine seems to have the same connection speed ....."""" * Then I saw this post that made me think a hub wouldn't work........>>>"""Routers connect LANs together. Hubs connect different components in a LAN.......... If all you want is to connect a few computers in order to share files, then a router would be an overkill and a hub would work just fine. If you want to be able to access the internet from all clients independently of each other while having good protection against hackers, then a router is definitely the way to go""" Do you think her ISP only allows One IP hub won't consist of this one IP like a router? IS THIS HUB GOING TO WORK. now i see in small print on the box ...."may need router or internet software." But from what i read I thought with XP it would work.....THanks in advance for any advice/help... HUB- network everywhere (linksys maybe) fast ethernet 10/100 5port hub model>NH1005-WM

You can't use a hub unless you are paying for two IP addresses from your ISP. Therefore, you need a router. Incidentally, a router also has a firewall in it, so even if you had just one PC on the internet, it's still smart to use a router anyway. MCSE, MCSA Messaging, baby!

You cannot share an Internet connection with just a hub and a modem. You need either a router or to install Internet Connection Sharing on one of the comeputers which will act as a server and the other a client. To share the internet, both computers require there own unique IP address. A modem will only ever provide one IP address. A router will provide up to 255 IP addresses via Network Address Translaion. Internect Connection Sharing will do pretty much the same job as a router but in software and all the overheads that entails. A router is the better option. Stuart

thanks so much. i'll return the hub. So whatever posts I've found about people using hubs for multiple IPs must have actually been switches. ;) you guys kick A** just a thought...i love this forum!!! I've been working in IT a little over a year now. I've got a BA in electronics engineering tech... as far as IT, I only took a couple classes in win2k and data communications fundamentals (osi layer stuff I don't remember). In college I was offered cisco and many other certifications, but I didn't, and regret it. I read posts on here all the time and try to help with what I can. Learn something every day! thanks to ya'll I'm just glad computers will always have power supplies that I can REPAIR!, Oh, if the world only didn't have surface mount MoBos. I was wondering, how old are some of you guys (gals)...who learned about computers on their own, or college or whatever??? just wondering

OK. You forgot your OSI model already. ;-) There's a difference between a router, a switch, and a hub. To keep this short, a switch is more like a hub on steroids. Switches send data only to the destination MAC address, not all its ports. Hubs simply send all data to all ports even if only it was meant for one computer. Totally different layer than a router. Routers route packets between networks based on IP addresses. They know nothing about MAC addresses, except for the MAC addresses of other routers. So if you took your hub back and got a switch instead, you'd still be where you are now. What's throwing you off is the routers you buy in stores today are actually three devices in one. They are routers, switches, and firewalls. Each term means something very very different, even though they're in the same device. I learned about computers on my own. MCSE, MCSA Messaging, baby!

Just to add to what herosycho said, a router that you buy for home use often contains a broadband modem as well. A modem, router, switch and firewall all in one box no bigger than a dial up modem. I to learnt about computers on my own. Bought my first computer in 1979! Give you some idea of my age. Stuart

thanks hero. well stuart, you must of cut some big yards at age 12 to be able to afford a computer. What did it cost you then? I saw a documentary of a guy on tv that has walls of the old apple computers, he might pay $50 or so for one. Know of anyone with one, or do you think they'll be worth something? should have kept yours maybe. am i a nerd or what. most guys talk about how they should have kept their 55 chevy! heh! hell, if you get bored here's my website which I haven't updated in a while and don't care. www.soundbybrian.com ya'll do any FTPing?