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Network Configuration Step 1 (Router/Switch/Hub)
First you need to select a router or hub/switch solution. This is the
piece that ties together the cable modem (or DSL modem) with your
PC's.
Router or hub/switch?
A router with NAT (Network Address Translation) is required if you have
more PC's in your home than your ISP provides IP addresses for. This is
normally the case with cable modem, where your provider may give you one
IP address and you have maybe 2 or 3 computers. With DSL you often get a
router in the DSL modem, so you only need a (cheaper) hub/switch.
Wired or Wireless?
If your home is prepared with CAT5 cabling, like many new
homes are, you will probably be better off with a wired solution. The
wireless alternative (IEEE 802.11b) is more expensive and not as fast, but
may be a good solution when you consider flexibility, no wiring required
and the added benefit of true couch-surfing with a wireless laptop.
Wireless and wired can be combined, so you only need wireless network
adapters for maybe one or two computers.
Too much Linksys? My recommendations does contain a fair bit of
Linksys products for two good reasons: 1) they are distributed by
amazon.com, which assures you can safely buy it everywhere and 2)
they make some good solid products, with constantly updated drivers and
firmware, that i like to buy and use myself.
My Recommendations - Wired
Router
Hub/Switch
My Recommendations -
Wireless
I am not impressed with the range (receive sensitivity) of the Linksys
wireless products, but they work and are cheap - so make sure you get the
best wireless cards for your client devices to compensate (next step).
Router
Hub/Switch
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Proceed to Step 2 - Select network adapters >>
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