Switch vs Router

Hello

I could use some advice from you good people.

I am currently on dialup and am switching to DSL in a few days.

I have two PC's running W98SE. They have been networked using a crossover and a switch. The network is not currently functioning. Although, I am able to access the net from the PC through my main PC which is connected to the net. I am not able to share files anymore. I do not know what happened, but it is broken.

As I move to DSL, I would like to get my network up again.

What advantage if any, would it be for me to purchase a router and junk my switch?

And, can I keep my crossover wire? I do not need or anticipate needing wireless.

Thanks

 

If it were me, I'd get a 4 port router. Then you can use straight wired CAT5 wire between the PC's NIC's and the ports. Both PC's will have access to the Internet and all parties should be able to share files and folders. It's working well for me and was very easy to install and set up. Only $40 cash outlay for all the hardware.

 

Ty surferdude2 - Is the, "...straight wired CAT5 wire..." different from my crossover wire? I have that laid down between two floors.

 

Hi Rep and welcome to the forum. I'm gonna need to define some terms and toss in a couple of informational tidbits to be able to take a shot at giving you an answer.

Switch - networking equipment for connecting other network devices (PCs, printers, other switches/hubs) together so they can communicate. Similar in function to a hub but newer and faster and smarter.

Router - networking equipment for allowing devices on different networks to communicate. For most home users, the 'different' networks will be their home systems and the internet.

Router/Switch - networking device designed for home and small office use that combines a switch and router into a single physical piece of equipment. Most of them will provide other services such as DNCP to set up networking values on connected PCs at boot time.

Straight wired RJ-45 network cable (the kind most often found these days with the plug that looks like a phone modular plug but larger) - A wire for connecting unlike network devices together. Printer to switch or PC to switch for instance.

Cross-over wired RJ-45 network cable - a wire for connecting like devices so two PCs or two switches together. Similar to the straight wired cable but the transmit pin at one end goes to the receive pin at the other.

Note that some router/switch devices have a 'smart' port that will allow use of either straight or cross-over cable for connecting to another switch or to a high speed modem but otherwise, if you use the wrong type of cable, there is no communication.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For your new high-speed network, I'd suggest you get a router/switch. Connect the PCs to the normal switch ports via straight cable and the router to the high speed modem using the cable that normally comes with it. Hard to know without having the specific brand of router/switch if it will be straight or cross-over cable but the right sort should be included with the device when you buy it.

The router/switch will take care of allowing the PCs to share files/printers with each other and also for letting both PCs use the high speed modem so no need for software solutions like ICS (or wingate or sygate or similar).

Even if you already have a perfectly good switch, the cost of a stand-alone router is probably about as much as a router/switch combo device and you wouldn't have the other features that are normally included with them.

 

You'll just have to rewire the terminals if you want to reuse it. To save the money of buying a terminal tool, you can cut and splice the wires to accomplish the same thing. Basically what you have is a cable that connects the output line on one end to the input line on the other end. The repeating that for the reverse direction. You'd need to get the pinout diagram for that but it should be easy.

 

Here's what I am using.

http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?prid=20&scid=29

I crammed it back under the desk several months ago and havent seen it since. Works like a champ.

 

TY both Newt & surferdude2

BTW - Prior to posting, I had run a search and did not find, at least easily, what I was looking for. You both were extremely helpful.

And, I did notice below my thread, was a section on. "related" topics. I did note Newts presence in one of the topics.

Being new to the board, does one usually find the, "related" topics showing up automatecally, or, did one of you post the information?

Again, Thanks....If you want to close the thread, that is fine by me. I am off to buy a router.

 

Thanks and good luck Rep. Newt is the undisputed master of Networking around here so you've gotten the best advice possible. My limited usage is exactly as stated, it just works well for me. If you get lucky, the ported router will have the ability to use either configuration of cable, that would be icing on the cake.

Best regards.
ps, The "Related" topics show up automatically.

 

How to make a patch cable