Do I need a switch or a hub?

wingedwraith · Post by **wingedwraith** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 9:11 am

Hi, I am relatively new to networking and need a little advice.

I use a ZyXel 662hw ADSL router and it's fitted with four ethernet ports, one of which is a fixed DMZ. I now have the need to have more than just three firewalled ports and there is no firmware solution to have the fourth port converted to non-DMZ.

Therefore I want to go out of one of the Zyxel's ports to another device to create some extra firewalled ports. For that to happen do I just need a switch with say five ports where the first would be an 'in' and the rest would be 'outs'? Also would the DHCP server on the router know to allocate through the attached switch to any attached devices?

Appreciate any help.

Neil

ErikD · Post by **ErikD** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 11:07 am

Technically speaking either device would work for what you want. You just connect one port of the routers built in switch to one port of the new device, and it adds more ports. There really are no 'in' and 'out' ports on a switch, data is bidirectional on all ports.

A switch is the better choice though as it improves network performance and doesn't send information to PCs that don't need it. DHCP will work fine, when a computer requests an address it broadcasts that request. Meaning every thing on the network will hear it, but only a DHCP server will respond.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 11:08 am

Yup...getting a switch and uplinking it to your routers last port will work. Most of todays switches will "auto-detect" direction, so you don't have to worry about using uplink or crossover cables...it's all gotten easy these days.

Yes your DHCP will go right into the switch and any PCs linked to it, no problems.

Hubs are pretty much extinct these days...they are used in the same manner as basic unmanaged switches...it's just switches do the job much better.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 11:09 am

Whoops...tag team post at same time.

ErikD · Post by **ErikD** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 11:15 am

YeOldeStonecat wrote:Whoops...tag team post at same time.

I forgot to mention the cables though as indeed most consumer stuff is autosense and will just do the crossover for you. However if you somehow get a combination of devices which don't work then you will just need a crossover cable to connect them. 99% chance these days though that just a regular patch cable will work though.

wingedwraith · Post by **wingedwraith** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 1:34 pm

Excellent, cheers guys. Appreciate the help.

Neil