OK, I give. What's the diff among a switch, hub, and a router?

More data on the Barricade SMC7008ABR routers/print servers.

I have installed one of these at a client's to interface their small network to a PacBell DSL connection ussing PPPoE (and now to an Earthlink DSL connection using PPPoE). They are nice little boxes and DO have both NAT and DHCP (The latter of which can be turned off).

I used it to provide both the print server capability and the router capability. It works very well, although setup for the Earthlink was not smooth. But that is probably due to my lack of knowledge, not the product. :D

You are welcome to use the information if it assists you in your business. I sure do appreciate the credit that you would include.

Thanks.

To Newt's observations:

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However, I didn't see either one list NAT or DHCP and if they do not have those features, I'd suggest Linksys, DLink, Netgear router/switches which are in the same price range.

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No NAT will mean you have to pay for an IP address for each PC. NAT means you only need pay for one IP address to run up to 254 PCs connected to the internet thru the router.

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No DHCP means you have to set the networking parameters on each PC or let the ISP do it if they have DHCP.

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I would like to add that the 2 models in question do support DHCP and NAT. Although this information is not obvious at the links provided by tewetzel, they do make mention of NAT and Dynamic IP. However, I have confirmed this from the SMC wesite and found that both routers do have those features. It would have been rather disappointing to have the manufacturers not include those features for products listed as broadband sharing devices.

Newt is right about what would have happened if NAT and DHCP were not available.

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Have a nice day guys!