Will a router increase my cable network speed?

[Bires]

Currently my switch is plugged into my cable modem, then my computers into the switch. Although I offically have 768kbps service, my connection and download speeds are usually more than 900kbps. I've been putting off buying a router, since it appears my switch is doing the job of a router. What would be the benefit of replacing my switch with a router?

[Tommy Boomfiger]

a router will give you more security by hiding any computers behind it. if someone tries to hack into your network all it will see is the router. thats not to say that its hacker proof, but it will keep most out. i dont believe that a router will speed up your network though, a fast ethernet switch pretty much give each computer 100mbps connection as opposed to a hub which will split the connection between however many ports are on the hub

[bachviet]

Since ADSL and cable modem service only allows one computer to connect, the router is the easiest way to connect multiple computers to the internet.

[Bires]

Originally posted by bachviet
Since ADSL and cable modem service only allows one computer to connect...

Mine alows three to connect, each with their own IPs.

[rajatQ2]

Originally posted by Bires


Mine alows three to connect, each with their own IPs.

You probably have to pay for 2 additional IP's, thats the way most ISP's do it, right?
if you had a router, it would be quite a bit more secure for your lan, plus you'd only have to pay for 1 IP for one computer, and that IP would be used by the router. your router would provdie your 3 comptuers with IP addresses.

[Jeffbx]

Originally posted by Bires
I've been putting off buying a router, since it appears my switch is doing the job of a router. What would be the benefit of replacing my switch with a router?

If you're already getting 3 IP addresses, there is no reason to run a router. If security is a concern, you're better off spending your money on a firewall, not a router. Although many routers have 'firewalls' built in, many are very basic (such as NAT) that don't do much for you anyway.

At a minimum, I would suggest putting a software firewall on each machine (such as Norton Internet Security). If you want to spend a few dollars, hardware firewalls are generally faster & easier to maintain than software (since you only have one place to make rules, and it applies to all PCs on your network).

For a hardware firewall, I would recommend CheckPoint's Safe@Home (http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.asp?EDC=378329) or the Watchguard SOHO Firebox (http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.asp?EDC=203126). Both are around $300, but I've seen the Watchguard on ebay for much less.

[GilbertsGrape]

Originally posted by Jeffbx


very basic (such as NAT) that don't do much for you anyway.




What is a NAT. our office is at a remote location form HQ and our IT guys say we are on a NAT and blame any kind of problems that occure is because we are on a NAT.


Thanks
GrapeDude

[Leon]

Short for Network Address Translation, an Internet standard that enables a local-area network (LAN) to use one set of IP addresses for internal traffic and a second set of addresses for external traffic. A NAT box located where the LAN meets the Internet makes all necessary IP address translations.

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/N/NAT.html


In plain English: NAT allows you to share a single public IP address that your cable company assigns you. This way, you don't have to shell out more cash for more IP addresses.

[Jeffbx]

NAT causes problems because TCP/IP likes to know who it's talking to - a one to one connection. NAT is a one to many connection - one address covers many internal machines. Unless the NATting router is set up exactly right, there can be communication problems with more complex setups, such as VPNs.

Of course, this is also what makes it 'safer' - since your machine is not on a live internet address, it's harder for attacking machines to find it.

[smurphy]

If you are looking for a good software firewall look at ZoneLabs. Fast, easy, reliable and not bloated like Norton's or McAfee. I'm using Zonelabs and a gateway/router from Netgear which works very well.

The only real benefit of a router/gateway is if you have a DSL service using PPPoE. You can setup your DSL login info into the gateway/router and let it handle the login so that you don't have to load your ISP's networking client.

If you have VPN needs make sure the router has built in support for VPN pass through as stated above almost all gateway/routers using NAT have problems with VPN connections.

Cheers,
Scott Murphy

[kain9i6]

R0wtur's aer teh r0x!!!

[Bires]

Originally posted by rajatQ2
You probably have to pay for 2 additional IP's, thats the way most ISP's do it, right?

Nope. I suspect my cable isp either doesn't care or doesn't know.

[cross56]

I have the D-Link I604 with a built in 4 port switch. I don't believe my cable or dsl provider even knows I have a router. I take the ip address and dns info and plug it into my router and it auto maticly assigns ip address to all my computers, I have 3. So how are the cable and dsl companies going to know? My router has a built in fire wall, but I don't use it. Its like Tommy Boomfiger said I don't believe being behind a router that any intruders can see the other machines. I may be wrong but that would seem logical. Of course this is my first router. Just my 2cents worth.

[bachviet]

Originally posted by cross56
I have the D-Link I604 with a built in 4 port switch. I don't believe my cable or dsl provider even knows I have a router. I take the ip address and dns info and plug it into my router and it auto maticly assigns ip address to all my computers, I have 3. So how are the cable and dsl companies going to know? My router has a built in fire wall, but I don't use it. Its like Tommy Boomfiger said I don't believe being behind a router that any intruders can see the other machines. I may be wrong but that would seem logical. Of course this is my first router. Just my 2cents worth.
You still only has 1 IP address with your cable company since the router only assigns internal IPs. The cable company only sees the IP address it gives you. That's why we use router (share internet w/o cable/DSL companies knowledge).

[revil]

http://www.schlacter.dyndns.org/public/FreeBSD-STABLE_and_IPFILTER.html

it's the best thing you can do for your network :D