We're getting DSL within the next week or so, and the question has been raised as to if we need a router. We've got two Hubs, one at either end of the house, and three computers. Now, I'm REASONABLY sure we can link the DSL modem into one Hub, plug the second Hub into the uplink spot on the first Hub, and everyone gets connected through the Hubs.

Is that a bad solution for any reason? Does it fail? And if either is the case, I need a good, CHEAP, Router. I don't need or want fancy. I don't need or want Wireless. And Cheap would be defined as under 60 or 70 bucks.

Haha you can get wireless for under 50 bucks. Wired router is about 30.

I don't think a hub would work for sharing an internet connection. Besides, the added security and performance that a router will provide is worth the 30 bucks.

Hubs suck in high-network traffic. That's why they invented switches. Reduce those pesky packet collisions.

Actually, now that I think of it, you can use a hub for internet sharing, just as long as one computer has two network cards. This is where the modem will be plugged in. You'll share the connection using XP's network config wizard. Disadvantages are that the computer will have to stay on at all times for others to have access. A router would still provide easier and better protection (firewall) for your networked computers, and advanced configuration would be easier.

A lot of DSL modems have built in routers.

Also, how many IPs does your ISP give you? Mine (cable, not DSL) gives three, so you could have up to three PCs with a connection without using ICS or a router.

One cent off.

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

Yoshi, you just HAD to go out of your way to prove me wrong, didn't you.

Not you, just your opinion.

We've checked the neighbor's DSL modem, it has one jack in for the DSL line, and one out to the computer. We're pretty sure that's what we'd get, seeing as he only got his last month.

I have zero idea how many IPs we get, because BellSouth's website is a piece of crap and doesn't tell you anything remotely useful about a lot of things.

The WRT54G Yoshi pointed out is a router I've been leaning towards. I know I said a don't want or need wireless, but I have a friend who's had that model for well over a year or two now and has never had any problems with it. That along with the fact that I recall hearing glowing things about it somewhere is pushing me towards that over anything else, if only because I know it'll work, and stay working.

I've had my WRT54G for about a year now, and it's holding steady, never given me any problems. We've got 2 Macs (one iBook wired, one iMac with Airport Extreme), 2 PC laptops (one Intel 2200BG and one Atheros chipset), one Hackintosh (Intel 3945ABG chipset), and two PC towers (D-Link and Asus 11g WiFi cards), and they all work f'in great with the WRT54g.

Oh yeah, I have my Gamecube wired into it as well. I can stream over wireless to my laptop at about 1600 kbps.

The WRT54G won awards iirc, it's an awesome router.

Technically, he said less than $50. $49.99 < $50, sir!

You lose! Good day, sir!

The computer conection - is that a USB connection or a Ethernet port? If it's ethernet, then you'll be able to hook up to your hubs through the uplink ports. If it's USB, you'll need to connect it directly to a computer and set that one up with Internet Connection Sharing or bridge the network card and dial-up connection that your DSL will appear as. You'll need that computer on for access to the Internet to work.

In that second case, if you're thinking of buying a router anyway, better to get a router that has a built in DSL modem. This would replace one of your hubs. Then simply leave the modem the DSL company sends you in the box stuffed in the back of a cupboard.

Uhh, just plugging the modem into the hub will enable one computer to use it. Not all simultaneously. Unless it's really a router with an integrated modem.

Not every router (doesn't matter if a modem is built in or not) can replace a hub. Some just have two ports to route between two networks.