What Is A Router?

[monkeyhead]

hi i think i may need a router.but first what is a router?Is it better than a network hub?Is it true u download your conection details to hit so u dont have to turn the "server like"computer on to connect to the internet?
Many thanks
Monkeyhead

[cwctv]

http://www.homenethelp.com/router-guide/index.asp

[monkeyhead]

but is it true u download your conection details to hit so u dont have to turn the "server like"computer on to connect to the internet?
many thanks
Monkeyhead

[cwctv]

With a router your line goes to the router to feed all machine on there and not to your one machine (server say)so yes you don't need all machines on.

[monkeyhead]

I have 4 computers and 1 laptop,
3 comps and the laptop are xp and are fairly new
1 comp is ME and runs at 1ghz
I also have a xbox i would like 2 link up to the network
would this router do the job?
Linksys RouterP.S I need the 8 ports

[cwctv]

Ok not an expert on these things but reading the article I should say yes thats one reason I sent you to that site.

Note:
This unit requires an external Cable or DSL modem with an Ethernet RJ-45 interface. 

Which is what you have on a Lan connection

[monkeyhead]

i heard there was some conflick with usb/ethernet versions
my external modem is this
speed touch usb
mine is the usb at a glance version
is it ok?
many thanks
monkeyhead

[cwctv]

Can't see how this connects to anything as only one cable I take it that goes into your phoneline does it have any other holes anywhere for the Ethernet RJ-45 in/out anything at all.

[james_bond_rulez]

routers are the stuff that routes ur traffic

can't be more general than that i was worried u r too noob to read it

[monkeyhead]

routers are the stuff that routes ur traffic 

can't be more general than that i was worried u r too noob to read it 

dont be so negative
any way it has a little spliter thin on the actual cable which i presume is Ethernet RJ-45