[linux-help] Re: Routers, Hubs, & Switches -

[Steven Saner <ssaner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Fri, Mar 15, 2002 at 07:00:04AM -0500, Bob Goodwin wrote:
> 
> I would like to "network" two linux boxes ['586 RH-7.2], one of
> which is presently connected to the Road Runner cable. Actually
> both have eth cards and will work on the cable.
> 
> I have been searching for information and am presently in a state
> of total confusion about routers, hubs, and switches.  Apparently a
> router will connect the boxes together and provide an internet
> connection to both?
> 
> A hub will allow me to transfer data between computers via ethernet
> [my main objective] and with the addition of my old '486 I can
> create a router?
> 
> Now I have discovered that Sam's Club sells something called a
> "switch" that offers similar functions?
> 
> What do I need to buy? Will all of these devices tie my boxes
> together? What's the difference between a hub and a switch?
> 
> Can anyone help on any of these questions?
> 
> Bob G -

I would recommend looking at the Networking-Overview-HOWTO at the
Linux Documentation Project (www.linuxdoc.org).

Briefly though, a router is a device that is used to connect two
networks together. In your case this would mean a device to connect
your network (even if it is only one computer) to Roadrunner's
network. A hub or switch is used to connect several computers together
on a single network. A switch is technically a little bit better than
a hub, but basically they do the same thing.

There are devices out there, made by Linksys and others, that are
called DSL/Cable routers. They contain an ethernet interface that
connects to your cable modem, and then they contain a switch with
maybe 4 ports that you can plug 4 computers into. So you can solve the
problem with just one device. This is the easiest way of doing things.

Yes, you can use a computer (even an old one like a 486) with Linux
installed as the router device. In that case you would probably put
two ethernet interfaces in it. One goes to the cable modem and the
other would need to go to a hub or switch. You would then plug the
rest of your computers into the hub/switch. This is a more flexible
option in that you have more control over what your router can do. You
can play with various levels of firewalls etc. However, it will take
more learning. There are other HOWTO pages that talk about different
elements of this kind of thing, and you can probably get more specific
help from this list if that is what you decide to do.

Steve
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