Hi John,

Just an elementary question. What does a router do ? Isn't it possible to
connect a network to the internet without using a router ?

Bharat

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Sproule" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, July 14, 2000 5:34 PM
Subject: Re: Home Network


> Folks have already provided many very good suggestions about running
proxy
> server software, so let me just add an alternative suggestion.  I am using
> the LinkSys Fast Ethernet Broadband Router/Switch to connect a couple of
> computers up to one ADSL connection.  I think this is a very good solution
> for a couple of computers that are used mainly for things like surfing the
> net and email.  It does seem to have some configuration limitations if you
> need to open lots of TCP and UDP ports for internet traffic of a more
> intensive two way nature (eg NetMeeting and some games).  In that case,
> perhaps a more expensive router/hub, like the Umax would be better (no
> direct experience to say for sure).  However, I have only found one game
so
> far (Superbike 2000) for which I couldn't seem to configure this router so
I
> could play over the internet.
>
> My own thinking is to eventually set up a Linux Router box as a kind of
> project to learn more about Linux and networking, but it is nice to have
an
> instant solution while I go about this more complex solution at a
leisurely
> pace.  My thinking would be to then hook the Linux Router up to a hub
rather
> than try to chain together the the workstations.
>
> John

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