Should I just get a switch?

I don't know much about networking. I have 3 notebooks now and want to share internet and a printer (the latter of which I've never done before).

I use a university internet connection, I just plug in an ethernet cable from the wall into my computer, register it, and it works.

Now, I wouldn't mind getting wireless, but it's expensive, and looks like most routers suck (I can't spend more than $40 or so...). My university has wireless in all the classrooms and other major areas, but wireless in my apartment would definitely be nice.


But my Inspiron and T23 are pretty much desktop computers. The X30 is my ultraportable I take everywhere, and it'd be great to have the wireless...

But can I just buy a cheap switch as this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817111009

And have my computers share my university internet connection? I've never used a switch before, so I don't know. Because technically it is not hooking up to a modem or something, it's hooking up to the university's LAN...right?

I really wanted to get the Linksys WRT54G but apparently it's a terrible product nowadays:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833124010

Besides the dropping connections and constant rebooting, it apparently doesn't do well with Bitorrent. Since you can get this "DD-WRT Micro" for the v5 router, would that solve the dropped connections, rebooting, and bitorrent problems? Would the wired switch have the Bitorrent problem?

Sorry for my complete stupidity regarding these things. Part of me wants wireless, but not a bad product. I get wireless on campus, as I said, and to be honest, we have an ethernet plug in the living room and I have a 30 foot ethernet cable if it comes to that. It's cheap too...


But would a switch work? And what is the "buffer memory" all about? is 512kb enough? Or would the fixes to the WRT54G work? I can't afford the WRT54GL.

Thank you.

 

A switch would work fine if you had all the laptops plugged in and on the same network. You need to create your own sub-network for the three computers. Getting a wireless router would be easier because you wouldn't need to be plugged in and the WRT54G is a great little router (I have it). I also have a D-link router that I bought for my parents and it works without any problems.

 

a switch is a dumb unit meaning that it's like a hub in that cannot route traffic. the advantage of a switch over a hub is that you get true full bandwidth at each port instead of sharing total bandwidth between ports.

if you're trying to share an internet connection in your apt, you need a router regardless of whether it has wireless capabilities or not.

 

well, if I understand BlueDevilTide's situation, each computer is registered with the uni separately (I'd guess using the MAC address?). If that's the case, there is no problem using a switch and there is no need to create a subnet or do anything fancy.
Just connect the switch to the university LAN, and then each of the computers should work as though the switch wasn't there.

I'm not sure if this solves the problem of sharing internet and printers though; if your printer is network capable, then you should be able to plug it into the switch too. Just be careful about security, since if you're on the university LAN, *anyone* can print to it.

 

Right, every computer is registered with the network, it looked at each MAC address and they had their own registration proceses even at the same wall outlet. So it looks like I can use the switch? How would I get full speed on each one? That doesn't quite seem to make sense to me, logically...hey, if true, awesome! Anyone care to elaborate?

The printer doesn't have an ethernet out, but I see all over XP about "file and printer sharing." I don't want everyone on the network using it, naturally, but could I use windows to configure it? Maybe?

Any other suggestions on moderately priced wireless routers in case I change my mind?

 

sorry, i misunderstood when you said apt, i thot you meant off campus.

your printer needs to be a node on the network meaning it needs an IP address. for this you need a print server or router (with an adapter for your printer) or the printer needs to be connected to a computer that is on the network and powered up.

if you go the connected-to-computer router, you can designate who has access to the printer (you may not be able to do this in XP home, only Pro, but i'm not sure) via sharing security.

i still think a router is your best bet as it will give you more control, but that's up to you

 

Your dilemma is similar to mine however in my case I have a router that I want to act as a switch/hub or whatever that lets me broadcast the individual computer's IP instead of the router's.

 

Bit the bullet and went with the WRT54G v5. I know it sucks, but worse comes to worse, I can use it as an amazing wired router. utorrent's FAQ said v5 doesn't suffer so bad from the torrent lags, so that is nice. If not, I will just apply DDWRT micro and hopefully that will make the wireless work better...if it's not great stock.

For future reference, does this forum or anyone here know where I can get a good walkthrough on setting up WAP security for this router? Maybe a linksys wiki-type page? Or just a great walkthrough? I don't want strangers on my network...just my roommates, and only when I'm feeling generous =)

 

I have the WRT54G router as well and followed the directions that came with it. I had no difficulties setting up the WAP security and was up and running in a few minutes.....

 

if this is a uni connection, i wouldn't be surprised if they block torrent traffic; if they don't, good on you

in terms of setting up security, it's pretty simple, i don't think you'll need a walkthru, just read the documentation that comes with the router. it takes less than 5 mins to set it up even for a novice.

 

Good to hear about the security. As for others' working just fine, apparently the versions released in the past year are pretty crappy, and are different in firmware and some other specs. When did you buy yours?