Quick noob question (Router related)

deathc4

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Mar 10, 2006
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I have a switch now, and its getting old (and its showing, network no longer works right and the net is going crazy).

So I have my eye on this router, my question is: Is a router fine if I just wanna connect 2-3 computers + my DSL? Or do I need a switch or Hub to make the LAN and then hook that up to the router.

Im looking at this router and it has 4 LAN ports and a WAN port. Could I just hook one computer into LAN port 1, another into port 2 and a third into port 3 and then put the DSL into the WAN port?

Networking is pretty new to me and proving to be very dificult (I blame the piece of crap switch I have). All I wanna do is share my files between the computers and also be online *cries*, is that so much to ask!!!
 

folken

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Sep 15, 2002
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99% of the home routers out there today have 4 port switches and one wan port in them, many have wireless in them as well. You can connect any computer to any of the 4 switch ports.

If you are after a simple setup and fairly reliable router go for a linksys. They come with setup cds that make it pretty painless :)
My recommendation would be the Linksys WRT54GL or WRT54G. If you have a local staples or similar store they probably have one of those.
 

folken

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Sep 15, 2002
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That one would probably be fine. It may not be as easy to setup as the linksys but it definatly wont be too challenging :)

The only thing you will miss out on with that router is wireless but you could always add a separate wireless accesspoint later (or get the DGL-4300 for about $20 more). Also, if you have gigabit network cards in your computers network file transfers will get a big speed boost.