Dave Jones <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Nothing.. You can get a router/hub and share all you want but you'll be
> sharing the one IP address, I would think they would charge for separate IPs
> for each computer but sharing shouldn't be a problem.

The one instance where using a router to share a single internet connection
(called NAT for Network Address Translation) wouldn't work would be the case
where you need to have a statically assigned IP address. One example would be if
you are going to setup a VPN (Virtual Privat Network) between your computer and
another (say to your work for telecommuting). Another is if you plan to host
your own web or ftp server.

When using a NAT router, the router itself assumes the IP address (either
dynamically or statically assigned by the ISP), and all the computers behind it
use a small private network, using pretty much any IP subnet you want, although
192.168.0.x is the accepted norm.

What the original poster probably referred to was the ISP wanting to charge for
each extra static IP to assign to each computer.

There are advantages to using a router. One is the cost, obviously if the ISP
wants to charge for additional IP's, then using a router eliminates that. In
addition, most routers have firewall capabilities.


--
Russ Poffenberger               Engineering Specialist
Schlumberger Technologies ATE   DOMAIN: [log in to unmask]
150 Baytech Drive
San Jose, Ca. 95134             Voice: (408)586-6718  FAX: (408)586-4675

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