Router or Switch?

[ThrillSeeker]

Is it better to have a router or a switch when building a network?

Is there a downside to having usb powered networking hardware? Iv seen some switches that come usb powered and some that have external adaptors.

Any recommendations for which switch or router to purchase? Hoping to pay no more that £20-£25, preferably less. Networking up to 4 computers and sharing a internet connection maybe.

Much appreciated,

ThrillSeeker

[Jesterrace]

Definitely better to have a router. More features, firewall, ect.

[Van Nugent]

Yep, agree with Jesterrace. Routers are too cheap these days. :)

Got my 4-port router with built-in printer server for only $26 USD shipped. You may need to post a thread in CoOp forum if you need help to find a cheap but good router.

[takeitup]

man, that's like dirt cheap! I got me a linksys router for like 80bucks. Switches are like an additional hardware add-on to router to give you more ports. The only reason why I think anyone would only use a switch is if they only want to share files around multiple computers. For internet connection sharing and stuff like that, A router would be the best of all.

[ThrillSeeker]

Bloody heck, glad i posted here then eh... i was just about to get a switch from ebuyer, or dabs because i thought they were supposed to be somehow 'better' then a router.

Right, gonna look into routers now.

Thanks for your replies, much appreciated

ThrillSeeker

[fawlty]

If you want to share internet then I assume you have some sort of broadband? Check that the router you want has a built in modem.

[Elaine]

Also use try to avoid using a USB only modem as you will have problems trying to connect to a router.

[Neo]

If you want to share internet then I assume you have some sort of broadband? Check that the router you want has a built in modem.
If he already has a broadband modem then there is no need to try to find a router that has one built in.

[fawlty]

Agreed but I replaced a modem + splitter with a combination modem/router/splitter. Much neater and still very cheap.

[Zac]

There is also the possibility that the broadband modem already has a router built in. in which case a switch would be cheaper

[vinniedub]

Many adsl broadband modems supplied in the UK for use on a BT line are usb only and aren't much use for networking or broadband sharing, there are cheap modem/routers alternatives available on ebuyer, i.e. look for the ORIGO model mate, this could be what you're after, four ports plus one usb giving you a possible five connections.