Ethernetworking

Yoda

Our setup:

Internet goes from phoneline into router, which is connected to a four-point Ethernet hub. In one room, one PowerBook and the laserprinter are connected to the hub, and another PowerBook in another room is also connected to it.

The problem:

On a temporary basis, a second computer (a PC, not a Mac) needs to be able to access the internet as well. What is the best solution?

1) Get a new 6- or 8-point router for the main room and run a second ethernet cable all the way to the second room?

2) Get a second (hopefully cheap) ethernet hub and split the line in the second room?

MrPinK

I'd go with #2. Hubs have been pretty much entirely replaced by switches now, which will start at €35. They seem to be at least 5 port too, so you can get rid of your hub.

shabbyroad

Your PC should be connected to the hub and should seek an IP address from the router provided it is set up to look for an IP from a DHCP server.

I presume that your Macs are getting their IP addresses from the router which is acting as a DHCP server.

You can run a hub from each of the ports on the router if you need to.

The setup you describe is pretty much what I'm running with various PCs, Macs and wireless access points around the house/office/studio.

Hope that helps.

Yoda

Originally posted by MrPinK
I'd go with #2. Hubs have been pretty much entirely replaced by switches now, which will start at €35. They seem to be at least 5 port too, so you can get rid of your hub.

Can you help me a bit with this? I don't know what a switch is or where I might get one.

Yoda

Originally posted by shabbyroad
Your PC should be connected to the hub and should seek an IP address from the router provided it is set up to look for an IP from a DHCP server.

The phone line, computer, printer, and hub are in one room, and the other computer and the temporary PC are in another. My question is can we split the single line in the remote room to serve both the Mac and the PC?

I presume that your Macs are getting their IP addresses from the router which is acting as a DHCP server.

I guess so.

You can run a hub from each of the ports on the router if you need to.

Hm. The Router does have several ports. So really, we could just run a single long line direct to the PC if we had to? But it would be convenient if we could split the line in the remote room; it's coming from the ethernet box though I guess we could run it direct from the hub.

The setup you describe is pretty much what I'm running with various PCs, Macs and wireless access points around the house/office/studio.

I'd like to try to go to AirPort at some stage but I guess we'd still need the ethernet to talk to the printer.

MrPinK

A switch has the exact same fucntion as a hub but with better performance. A hub broadcasts all traffic to each port, blocking all other hosts from transmitting. A switch will only forward traffic to the intended host, allowing the other hosts to transmit at the same time. You'll be able to get one from where ever you originally picked up your hub. Both Peats and IT Direct have them. The ones you want are those under €50

Yoda

This? Peats says it's out of stock, alas.

MrPinK

They had two of those out on display last friday. IT Direct have it for €5 less though. That's the one I got from them.

LoLth

If you have an adsl line I'd be tempted to go for a linksys gateway. One of the combo 4 port router / firewall / wireless access point.

then any PC can connect to it via wireless connection and your printers and stationary PCs/laptops can connect via the 4 wired ports.

Hugh_C

Originally posted by Yoda
Our setup:

Internet goes from phoneline into router, which is connected to a four-point Ethernet hub. In one room, one PowerBook and the laserprinter are connected to the hub, and another PowerBook in another room is also connected to it.

Are either of these wireless-enabled? i.e. do they have Airport cards?

Kobie

I'd be inclined to go for option #1 & just buy a bigger hub. It might cost more than the switch option (I don't know, it's a long time since I bought either), but the more hardware you stick between your PC & phone line the more heartache you're letting yourself in for. A hub is the simplest solution.

Just my opinion.

K.

Redrocket

a hub shouldnd cost more than a switch.
both should work fine with the existing router
and if its only on a temporary basis why dont you just plug out a machine instead of buying more hardware?