A hub is a device that connects PCs together. In general, what is called a hub in todays market is a "dumb" device. In a hub, when one PC sends data onto the wire, the hub simply forwards the packets to all the other devices connected to it. Each device is responsible for determining which packets are destined for it and ignoring the others. Current "hubs" typically share bandwidth between all the ports. In the days of coaxial networking, hubs were often called "bridges". Because they forward every packet that they receive, they do nothing to streamline the traffic on your local network.

The next step up is typically referred to as a "switch." A switch is a little smarter than a hub, in that it records the IP and MAC addresses in a table of all the devices connected to it. Thus, when a packet is put onto the wire by one device, the switch reads the destination address information to determine if the destination device is connected to it. If it is, the switch forwards the packet ONLY to the destination device, sparing the other devices connected to it from having to read and deal with the traffic (making your network more efficient). If the switch does not recognize the destination device, then the switch sends the packet to everything connected to it, thereby requiring the devices to decide for themselves whether or not the packet is for them. In general, switches provide each device connected to them with dedicated bandwidth.

Finally, a router is the "smartest" device of them all. A router records the address information of everything connected to it like a switch. But it also records the address of the next closest router in the network. (You can program this as the "default gateway.") A router reads even more of the information in the address of a packet and makes an intelligent decision about what to do with the data based on the address. For example, if a router receives an outbound packet that has a destination address that is not in it's table, it forwards the packet to the default gateway, rather than every device attached like a switch does. This is how data moves onto, and through, the Internet. Routers are also capable of looking at the source address of a data packet and making decisions based on that as well. This means they can tell the difference between traffic that originates on your network and traffic that comes from outside. Switches and hubs can't do that (at least in a home user's price range). This means that if a router receives an inbound packet that is addressed to something not attached to it, it simply drops it and your local network doesn't have to deal with it. A switch would forward it to all your networked devices and force them to decide whether or not is should be read. This can clog up your local network with useless traffic.

This is also the fundamental difference between the devices and why the router is better for your application. Let's look at security for a minute. Say I'm a hacker and I get the IP of one of your computers somehow. So I send data to you. A switch will look at the destination address, recognize it, and send the packet right on to your computer. A router on the other hand, can be programmed to look at the source address as well. You could set a rule that says if a packet originates from outside your local network, do not forward it no matter what (although this would be stupid because you would never get any data -- but it could be done). Thus, a router can protect you from attacks in ways that no hub/switch ever could.

This is a pretty simple view of the differences. Remember the names are not fixed in stone. There are so-called "intelligent hubs" that act as switches, and "Layer 3" switches that can do things like a router.

For what it's worth, I believe that both the SMC Barricade 7004BR, Netgear RT314 and the Linksys BEFSR41 can best be described as 1-port routers directly connected to a 4-port switch.

FAQ by kadar

Yes, you can do it, and No it's not against your service agreement. They just won't help you do it, or fix anything IF you TELL them you are sharing.

FAQ by kadar

Here are the forums for the top 3 choices at DSLR:
Linksys
Netgear
SMC

FAQ by kadar, edited by gwion

No, they don't use the MAC address.

FAQ by kadar

Technically you can hook it up to the hub, however, Verizon only allows you to have 1 ip address, so technically you could only use one computer at a time. If you want to hook up your whole LAN, look into a router or some Nat software (ex: winroute)
TOS
2.3 You may only use your account for one log-on session per connection type at a time. You may not use more than one IP address for each log-on session. DSL customers may connect multiple PCs within a single location to their DSL line and access Verizon through a single DSL account and a single IP address.

FAQ by kadar

No, a properly setup network will only have one instance of PPPoE on it.

FAQ by kadar

You will need 3 network cards, 2 for the main computer (1 for Westell modem and 1 for hub) and another one for your client.
One computer as a server. This computer has two NIC cards in it. One is connected to the modem and the other is connected to your switch/hub/computer. The main computer must be turned on if the other wants access to the internet. The main computer will have your connection software on it, and you'll use that to connect. The second computer has a NIC card installed and is connected to the switch/hub/computer. You can try ICS supplied with Windows,
or sharing software like AllAboard, Sygate, or Wingate.
OR
Buy a router. Each computer needs one NIC card. You connect the modem and computers to the router. You enter your info in the router to connect for you. Both computers can use the DSL independently of each other.

FAQ by kadar

BBR has it's own Networking forum, located here.
Networking Forum

"->" stands for "click on"

Assuming you are already in the Versalink's Configuration pages

->Configuration -> Advanced LAN -> DHCP ->
Drop Down DHCP Server to OFF -> Save -> OK

->Configuration -> Advanced WAN -> WAN -> First Edit Button ->
Drop Down Protocol to Bridge -> Drop Down Mode to Bridge ->
Set VC -> OK -> OK

...and if you decide to turn the wireless off as well

->Configuration -> Wireless -> Basic -> Drop Down Wireless Operation to OFF -> Save -> OK