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Ethernet hub or switch

post #1 of 31
3/9/10 at 7:38am
Thread Starter 
I would like to buy a hub or switch so that I can run a ethernet cable direct to my blu ray player. can anyone recommend a brand hub/ switch & long ethernet cable. Are they all good or are some better then others. thank you, chris
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post #2 of 31
3/9/10 at 7:44am
I assume you have a router (or router/modem) for your Internet. Does it have additional switch ports?

DLink, NetGear and Linksys all provide switches (or router/switches) for your needs.

How long of an Ethernet cable run do you need?

What is your Internet provider? FiOS, cable, DSL?
What make/model is your modem?
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post #3 of 31
3/9/10 at 9:58am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ratman View Post

I assume you have a router (or router/modem) for your Internet. Does it have additional switch ports?

DLink, NetGear and Linksys all provide switches (or router/switches) for your needs.

How long of an Ethernet cable run do you need?

What is your Internet provider? FiOS, cable, DSL?
What make/model is your modem?

I have road runner. I will not be using a router. I will have the hub or switch between my time warner supplied modem and the computer. I want to go direct to my lg blu ray with the ethernet cable. apprx 30 feet. I want to be able to stream netflix movies. thanks
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post #4 of 31
3/9/10 at 10:16am
And you have no other PC's or devices on your network? Unless roadrunner is dishing out extra IP's for each device on your network, you need a router.
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post #5 of 31
3/9/10 at 10:35am
Just get the least expensive router you can find. A 'G' wireless can be had for less than $50.
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post #6 of 31
3/9/10 at 11:20am
Thread Starter 
there will be just the one computer . I thought I could do it without a router.
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post #7 of 31
3/9/10 at 11:21am
You need to provide the make/model number of your RR modem. It may be a router/modem and all you need is a switch.

I wouldn't waste $$ for a hub.

If it's a modem only, then you have to get a router/switch.

Ethernet cables can be purchased online quite inexpensively. Or... perhaps you know someone that can provide a 30' cable that has fallen off of a truck.
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post #8 of 31
3/9/10 at 11:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by slow ride View Post

there will be just the one computer . I thought I could do it without a router.

Any device hooked to the network needs it's own IP, that includes your Blu-Ray player. You'll need a router so you can have multiple IP's share your RR connection.
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post #9 of 31
3/9/10 at 3:56pm
Thread Starter 
I called the cable company before I started this thread & they said I would not need a router, that it was optional. . my modem is a motorola sbv 4200. thanks
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post #10 of 31
3/9/10 at 4:17pm
I remember when I had Verizon DSL, they said I could attach up to 3 computers to the DSL modem with a switch or hub, so it seems quite plausible that some other broadband providers would provide more than one IP address.
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post #11 of 31
3/9/10 at 4:21pm
Your cableco representative is incorrect. From the spec sheet:

Versatility Features
USB or Ethernet connectivity — simplifies installation, enhances versatility
Supports up to 32 users**
** Additional equipment (not included) such as Ethernet routers or hubs is necessary.
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post #12 of 31
3/9/10 at 4:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by k_ross View Post

I remember when I had Verizon DSL, they said I could attach up to 3 computers to the DSL modem with a switch or hub, so it seems quite plausible that some other broadband providers would provide more than one IP address.

Your provider assigns one address per account, per modem. The routing capability can assign IP addresses via DHCP for the "inside" network. Sounds plausible, but it depends on the hardware/software and a basic understanding how IP works.
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post #13 of 31
3/9/10 at 7:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by slow ride View Post

I called the cable company before I started this thread & they said I would not need a router, that it was optional. . my modem is a motorola sbv 4200. thanks

Unless RR is providing you multiple internet facing IP's, they were wrong. Usually you just get one IP then you need a router in the house to allow you to feed multiple devices off that one IP.

If they are giving you multiple IPs, any 10/100MB switch should work, a 5 port model would be fairly inexpensive. If you end up needing a router, get one with the 4 port switch built in, it'll run you around the same price.
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post #14 of 31
3/10/10 at 1:22pm
If you have the time and knowledge, static IP addresses are the least trouble. All you need is a switch and the ability to set up each node with with a static IP address. Going through a router can often be problematic, in my experience. Using a switch is much more stable in the long run, again, in my experience.

To set up static addresses, however, you may need to configure a workgroup, IP addresses, DNS addresses (email), and a gateway address (your modem) at a minimum. It's not hard, but can get confusing if you don't pay close attention to what you are doing. Drawing it out on paper first helps a lot.
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post #15 of 31
3/10/10 at 2:23pm
Static IP addressing will not work with a switch (only). You need routing capabilities.

Using a router is the least problematic... in my experience.
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post #16 of 31
3/10/10 at 2:38pm
Taperwood - 99%+ of all residential networks should be using a NAT router with DHCP - it's so easy almost any idiot can do it, and most routers these days come preconfigured enough that they work right out of the box for basic use. Adding security to wireless is one thing that often IS NOT done out of the box, but it doesn't take much to add either.
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post #17 of 31
3/10/10 at 2:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scooper View Post

Adding security to wireless is one thing that often IS NOT done out of the box,...

How true! So many don't know about not only changing default admin passwords to routers, but also using WEP or WPA for wireless. I personally can access 3 personal networks (and routers) from my home that are unsecured.
(great for testing purposes though! )
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post #18 of 31
3/10/10 at 3:45pm
I have Clearwire internet and just use a switch. I have one computer, vonage, OPPO BD83, Directv Hr20-700 and a Sony BDP-CX960 and have no problems .I had more problems when using a router.
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post #19 of 31
3/10/10 at 6:07pm
Probably because your "modem" is a modem/router. Not all internet modems are "smart".
You had problems because the modem/router was conflicting with the external router.
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post #20 of 31
3/10/10 at 6:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DiCecco View Post

I have Clearwire internet and just use a switch. I have one computer, vonage, OPPO BD83, Directv Hr20-700 and a Sony BDP-CX960 and have no problems .I had more problems when using a router.

You still need some kind of router, I'm guessing your modem/device/whatever has one built in, check the IP on one of your PC's, I bet it's 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x.
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post #21 of 31
3/11/10 at 9:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ratman View Post

Static IP addressing will not work with a switch (only). You need routing capabilities.

I BELIEVE that if he has the IP of his computer and puts the device on the same subnet, they can intercommunicate over a hub/switch, but his device will not communicate with the internet.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ratman View Post

Using a router is the least problematic... in my experience.

I heartily agree; there are many who canhelp him with problems he might find, and IMO the NAT gives another layer of protection in the internet connection. I've put more than one in friends homes THINKING I'm giving a protection layer. If I enable wireless, it will have some strange ID and secure password which I'll put on a sticker on the unit. I occasionally don't enable DHCP, using fixed IP.
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post #22 of 31
3/11/10 at 10:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by gbynum View Post

I BELIEVE that if he has the IP of his computer and puts the device on the same subnet, they can intercommunicate over a hub/switch, but his device will not communicate with the internet.

That would be correct.
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post #23 of 31
3/11/10 at 11:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by gbynum View Post

I BELIEVE that if he has the IP of his computer and puts the device on the same subnet, they can intercommunicate over a hub/switch, but his device will not communicate with the internet.I heartily agree; there are many who canhelp him with problems he might find, and IMO the NAT gives another layer of protection in the internet connection. I've put more than one in friends homes THINKING I'm giving a protection layer. If I enable wireless, it will have some strange ID and secure password which I'll put on a sticker on the unit. I occasionally don't enable DHCP, using fixed IP.

Sorry to confuse the issue everyone, but this is correct. I purposely did not mention NAT and DHCP at the modem level so as not to make it sound even more complicated. I was mainly addressing the issues at the subnet level because the OP did not mention what kind of internet connection he has.

I have had the following setup for many years now with no problems whatsoever: Single ethernet port DSL modem with NAT enabled and DHCP turned off > switch > network with four computers on a subnet. I can unplug the modem and still use the home network without any problem. No router is needed. Before this I had a modem/router and I had no end of trouble getting everything to talk to each other every time I made a change to the network, mostly due to endless rebooting before everything would work. I'm very happy using static IP addresses now, but the learning curve is more involved.

This conversation has gone way beyond what the OP needs. If his modem has multiple ports with routing built in, all he has to do is run a wire or go wireless to his Blu Ray player. If he needs more ethernet ports, I would recommend a switch and not a hub.
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post #24 of 31
3/16/10 at 6:11am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Taperwood View Post

Sorry to confuse the issue everyone, but this is correct. I purposely did not mention NAT and DHCP at the modem level so as not to make it sound even more complicated. I was mainly addressing the issues at the subnet level because the OP did not mention what kind of internet connection he has.

I have had the following setup for many years now with no problems whatsoever: Single ethernet port DSL modem with NAT enabled and DHCP turned off > switch > network with four computers on a subnet. I can unplug the modem and still use the home network without any problem. No router is needed. Before this I had a modem/router and I had no end of trouble getting everything to talk to each other every time I made a change to the network, mostly due to endless rebooting before everything would work. I'm very happy using static IP addresses now, but the learning curve is more involved.

This conversation has gone way beyond what the OP needs. If his modem has multiple ports with routing built in, all he has to do is run a wire or go wireless to his Blu Ray player. If he needs more ethernet ports, I would recommend a switch and not a hub.

I have time warner cable with a motorolla sbv 4200 voice over IP cable modem. The modem only has one ethernet port so therefore I need another port to go to my blu ray player. Im not interested in going wireless. thanks
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post #25 of 31
3/16/10 at 6:31am
So did you get a switch and try it out yet?
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post #26 of 31
3/16/10 at 9:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by slow ride View Post

I have time warner cable with a motorolla sbv 4200 voice over IP cable modem. The modem only has one ethernet port so therefore I need another port to go to my blu ray player. Im not interested in going wireless. thanks

Your modem appears to have DHCP, so you are probably already set up to assign IP addresses. Get a switch and plug your modem, computer, and BR player into it. Carefully configure your player exactly according to instructions and see what happens.

And...as with all things networking...it will be a miracle if it works the first try

Good luck.
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post #27 of 31
3/16/10 at 10:23am
For pete's sake, just buy a router. That's what you need.
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post #28 of 31
3/16/10 at 1:40pm
He's already got routing in his modem. He just needs ports. Hence, a switch. That would be cheaper and simpler. Besides, can you even buy a small standalone router anymore? Most of them have wireless or modems built in.
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post #29 of 31
3/16/10 at 1:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Taperwood View Post

He's already got routing in his modem. He just needs ports. Hence, a switch. That would be cheaper and simpler. Besides, can you even buy a small standalone router anymore? Most of them have wireless or modems built in.

Yes you can...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...25%20-%20%2450
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post #30 of 31
3/16/10 at 7:51pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mjones73 View Post

So did you get a switch and try it out yet?

no, not yet.
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