[macbarry]

For the past 6months I have successfully been using a cable modem and a Netgear DS108 hub (this is not a router) to simultaneously connect 3 computers (iBook, iMac, and PM dual1.25) to the internet via ethernet using DHCP.

Yesterday a very brief power outage occurred. At the time of the outage all of the computers were turned off but the modem and the hub were running.

I have had several power outages during the last 6 months without incident yet this one seems to have upset my setup somehow since I can now only connect to the internet via the hub with one computer at a time.

The hub continues to allow me to share files between my Macs and each Mac can individually connect to the internet but only if it is the first to the hub.

I have spoken with my cable ISP twice and received 2 different answers:

1) my hub was damaged by the power outage - I should buy a new one.

2) It's impossible to use a hub to simultaneously share the internet signal between 3 computers and I should buy a router.

I could believe #1 except the hub still seems perfect except for sharing the cable signal.

I could believe #2 except that I have used the hub to share the cable for the past 6 months.

Anyone have any thoughts on what I should do and how I might regain my previously happy setup? Thanks in advance for any help.

[Scotttheking]

#2 is correct
They probably have/had a setup error that let you have multiple machines on at once.

[ghporter]

I agree that #2 is pretty close to true. While it's not "impossible" to share that way using a hub, it can get (as you've found) pretty sticky when you get a lot of collisions. A router is your best bet, especially considering their price points-you can get a nice router with nice features for as little as $50 or less.

[macbarry]

Originally posted by Scotttheking:
#2 is correct
They probably have/had a setup error that let you have multiple machines on at once.

Thanks for the replies.

I asked specifically about a setup error and they said that any static IPs would show up easily...hmmm.

OK looks like time for a router. Any suggestions of your favorites?

[Scotttheking]

I'd recommend a SMC barricade for consumer use. Unless you really like playing, then there's always cisco

[ghporter]

In spite of a general disdain for them here, I like my Linksys router. Of course I also like my USRobotics router, and my Siemens/SpeedStream router too (that one cost me about $11 after a rebate, so I REALLY like it!).

I hear good things about SMC, D-Link and Netgear, too, but I don't have any of them.

Scott, right though; unless you want a new and entirely consuming hobby, you should stay away from Cisco routers, even their consumer-level boxes.

[Scotttheking]

But can your linksys router do this?

Code:
User Access Verification                                                        
Password:                                                                       
                                                                                
cbos>sh uptime                                                                  
Current uptime is 5 days, 19 hours and 2 minutes                                
                                                                                
cbos>

I really need to get something more powerful in there though

[ghporter]

Originally posted by Scotttheking:
But can your linksys router do this?


I really need to get something more powerful in there though

Nope, but I don't worry about tracking that sort of data. When the wife says "I can't get online," I know there's a problem. We aren't running anything that needs more control or more monitoring, so my cheap (and 4-year old) Linksys router does fine.

For a more robust router, one must schedule more time to configure and monitor the device. I'm happy with "set it and forget it."