What's the difference between a Hub, a Switch and a Router?

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In the short run ... not really. It may come in handy someday later when your needs change. A router can almost always perform the functions of a switch, but not the other way around.

Hey,
Just a quick question. If I have DSL and want to set up a home networking (like 3 computers share the same internet connection), will a hub serve my purposes?

Thanks guys

Probably not. You really want a router.

I'm trying to connect 2 PCs to my office e_net port. When I connect just 1 PC and the office port to the hub, everything's fine. When I connect the 2nd PC to the hub, I lose my connection to both PCs - the light on the hub port connected to the office port actually goes out. Another office has the same setup working using a switch. Why would a switch work, but not a hub?

I'd make sure that one of those connections isn't going into something labeled "uplink" or if there's an uplink switch to try changing it. A hub should work.

i saw a comment here that says i really need a router to connect 3 pcs with a dsl connection.
well, i have a similar question...

we have 5 pc's at home and only mine is connected to the internet. We're considering having a cable net service and just want to ask if i can network the 5 pc's using a switch and UTP cables, and with the integrated LAN on the PC's and be able to provide all the PC's cable connection. If i can, then how?

I'm good at standalone PC's (assembly, installing OS, popping in/out cards/drives/processors) but have not really experienced networking. could you email me some step by step guide!? if so... THANKS A LOT IN ADVANCE!!!

I'd have you start with this article about setting up a home network: http://ask-leo.com/archives/000086.html

I want to connect more computers to my network using a 4 port router and have exceed my router ports, if I uplink to a hub, does the hub take on the smarts of the router sending data throught the hub ports or would it be better to uplink to a switch? Thanks.

I don't think you want to uplink through a hub. That gets confusing. Rather, I would unplug one of the computers from the router, plug a hub in there, and then plug in the unplugged computer and any additional computers, into that hub. Basically you want everything to be "behind" the router.

Thanks, that is what I meant. But does it mattter if I use a switch or hub in this scenario?

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