Which is better? Router, or a hub?

[Josep]

Plain and simple, which one is better? a router or a hub? I am going to be using this for home use only, and i probably won't be transfering files from computer to computer, just need internet to another comp, which one is better in any of your guys's opinion?

[CpU MasteR]

Originally posted by Josep
Plain and simple, which one is better? a router or a hub? I am going to be using this for home use only, and i probably won't be transfering files from computer to computer, just need internet to another comp, which one is better in any of your guys's opinion?

Hub...

[flow``]

uh... router

but i've already went through this with josep over irc so theres no real need for discussion

[Josep]

hehe dammit! conflicting stories yet again! Yet i will still probably go with a router

[Smiff]

a router is an intelligent hub, meaning that it knows the address of each computer on the network and only broadcasts to the address that a packet is destined to. this improves performance and security over a hub, however in your case a hub is a better choice because it's cheaper, security is not an issue and you only have two PCs on it! (i.e. the intelligence of a router is quite pointless). An even better solution for you may be a direct cable connection, using crosswired RJ45, which eliminates the need for either.

[Josep]

BUT in doing a direct cable connection you don't get the internet! Thats the whole point of me doing this In the future my dad might want to have is laptop for the internet too tho, so would having a router being easier because of the use of three computers at the same time? BTW, i have heard when you use a hub you have to have the first computer, the one that is splitting the connection ON, to have the other computer even get internet from the hub, is this true? and if it is, thats a major set back and i'd probably get a router over a hub for that reason...

[Eagle]

I have a Hub and with it I have to pay an extra $5 per computer per month for internet so I can get 3 IP addys for my houses 3 computers (mine, my brothers, and my parents/sisters). With a router, it can assign one IP address to many computers so it would eliminate having to pay for other IPs. However, this can cause minor problems, mostly when both computers are trying to play the same multiplayer game on the internet. But that is a minor issue.

In addition there is a smart hub called a Switch, that can send packets to specific computers like Smiff said, however cannot split one IP address and does not support firewalls like a router. On the bright side a Switch is not expensive.

Anyway, Switches cost near the same as a HUB and are better so narrow you choice to a Switch or Router and forget the hub all together.

[Eagle]

To prove my point, on pricewatch you can get a 3COM 4 port + Uplink port hub for $15, you can get a 3COM 4 port + uplink port switch for $19 and a switch is faster because it brodcasts packets to specific computers. So why would you want a hub?

[Josep]

hehe, i dunno man, i just heard that hubs aren't that great for transfering files from computer to computer on the same network, and more then likely won't be doing that i will probably be getting a router, considering the company e-mailed me saying its ok to use 'em, and i heard routers are terribly easy to install

[Josep]

BTW! to get my service running to the other computer through the router, i need to give the company my MAC address to have them recognize it so i can use it, is this true? if so, anyone know how long it takes for them to recognize the other computer and if it gives extra bandwith? i e-mailed the company asking the same question a few mins ago, but it takes about a day for them to respond