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    Need a good wired router.

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by DraXxus1549, Aug 31, 2009.

  1. DraXxus1549

    DraXxus1549 Notebook Evangelist

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    Well I am in college right now and for some reason the dorm i'm in on supplies me with 1 ethernet port. I need 2 one for my laptop and one for my Xbox. I can't have a wireless one for some reason, they say its a fire hazard which makes no sense to me but whatever. I have been looking for one on newegg but it seems that all the cheaper ones are crap, which does make sense to me, but I am a college student and I don't have a ton of money to spend. Does anyone know of a good wired router that is also cheap?
     
    DraXxus1549, Aug 31, 2009
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  2. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    You're not looking for a router, you're looking for a switch. Buy a "cheap crappy" switch, since the cheapest ones can run an Xbox and computer simultaneously without issue.
     
    Lithus, Aug 31, 2009
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  3. DraXxus1549

    DraXxus1549 Notebook Evangelist

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    So what is the difference between a switch and a router?
     
    DraXxus1549, Sep 1, 2009
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  4. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    About $30.
     
    Lithus, Sep 1, 2009
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  5. DraXxus1549

    DraXxus1549 Notebook Evangelist

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    ...How would you set one up? Are they about the same as a router?
     
    DraXxus1549, Sep 1, 2009
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  6. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    The have an input, where you plug in the "internet", and a number of out ports where you plug in you laptop and Xbox.
     
    Lithus, Sep 1, 2009
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  7. D-EJ915

    D-EJ915 Notebook Consultant

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    Depending on how the college is set up you might need a router...I say just get a wireless one that doesn't have an external antenna like this and disable the wireless part if you don't need it. I have no experience with that specific model btw.

    home routers run NAT* on their "internet"/WAN interface so it looks like one system to the outside world whereas if you used a switch you would see both systems. some places are set up to only allow one device so if you have both connected only one will work. you should ask your college what you would need

    *specifically port address translation
     
    D-EJ915, Sep 1, 2009
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  8. makaveli72

    makaveli72 Eat.My.Shorts

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    A good wired Router might cost you an arm and a leg.

    I agree with everything D-EJ915 mentions....your best bet is to get a wireless Router and be safe.

    I would personally recommend this one.
     
    makaveli72, Sep 1, 2009
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  9. DraXxus1549

    DraXxus1549 Notebook Evangelist

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    So a wireless router would be a better choice? The switch is cheaper i can get one for like $20, but you think that it may not work?
     
    DraXxus1549, Sep 2, 2009
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  10. DraXxus1549

    DraXxus1549 Notebook Evangelist

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    Anyone????
     
    DraXxus1549, Sep 2, 2009
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  11. makaveli72

    makaveli72 Eat.My.Shorts

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    Really the easiest solution would be to ask someone at the college how to go about setting this up. But as D-EJ915 mentioned; "Depending on how the college is set up you might need a router" and as I said "I agree with everything D-EJ915 mentions....your best bet is to get a wireless Router and be safe."

    It's possible that the college is set up in a way that only one network device can be used. Therefore a switch wouldn't solve your situation, you would need a Router to provide NAT (Network Address Translation) which when you configure it would appear as one device to the outside (Public) no matter how many devices are connected to the Router. ...As D-EJ915 was basically saying in his post.

    Again, it would help to ask someone at the college, but all we're saying is no matter what it's the safest bet to just get a Router.
     
    makaveli72, Sep 3, 2009
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