is there a network type that doesn't allow switches?

[Chess007]

I know this isn't really a nix question. Please bare with me. :) The setup

cable modem to router

works fine for me. (The router uses dhcp to assign ip's) But I wanted to use a switch instead. I heard switches minimize/eliminate packet collisions. The setup

cable modem to switch

does not work.

I ended up with a netgear switch which is saposed to "autodetect" everything. It sits there with lights blinking green but not holding.

I don't know how to "configure" the thing, or even what its ip is. Or even if I can configure it. The instructions:

Hook in the ethernet cables
Hook in the power

If anyone has any ideas on this please send them my way. Thank you kindly. :)

[leonpmu]

Some switches need to put the adsl modem on a particular port.... check and see if this is the case... also try and do the ip addresses manually for all the devices, and see if you can ping your modem/router while you change from port to port on the switch...

[con]

How many computers are there on your network, if theres only one there wont be any collisions. And to answer your question you need to give all your machines static ip's.

[The Linux Kid]

You need to go:

Cable Modem --> Router --> Switch --> Computers

[soulestream]

cable modem -> switch -> pc, means that only one pc at a time will have internet access. (see #2)

1. if you are using a little home router like a linksys or dlink, then the 4 ports on the router are a switch.

2. You need a router (or layer 3 switch, which it probably isnt) to have more than one PC with internet access, unless your ISP gives you more than one IP address to use. Mine doesn't.

3. If you are running full duplex, collisions arent really a problem because you arent transmitting and recieving on the same wire as with half-dulplex.

4. The reason you can't configure it is because odds are its a non-configurable switch and will not have an ip address and is basically the exact same thing that was in the router.

5. A NAT router is probably the best thing at protecting a network from worms, trojans, and keeping you hidden from the world.

If you are setting this up at home, have less than 4 units, and you have a little 4 port router then find your receipt and return the switch. Go by yourself a nice book or go to a movie. :D


soule