Router verses Switch

[djrainer]

I will be working at home with a company supplied Dell laptop. I have Cable/Modem conx at home. I want to be able to use both Laptop and personal PC on the cable modem at the same time. Will either a switch or router work and if so, which would work best? Thank you

 

[KiscoKid]

A switch is best in my opinion if both the laptop and PC will be on the same IP subnet. If they won't be on the same subnet, you'll need a router.

Hope that helps

 

[fs483]

Becareful if you are using a switch, you will end up with 2 public IPs and you can be billed for the usage of the second IP. Also, your cable/modem might of also registered the MAC (physical address of your network card) and might not work if you insert a switch between your home PC and your modem. Best bet would be a Router (linksy, dlink whatever). You have the "added" protection of a mini-firewall in a router. Routers do need a little configuration especially if your modem registered your mac address and/or you don't get dynamically assigned IPs froms your ISP.

 

[roscotek]

Use a router! Use a wireless router. Then your laptop (it does have a wireless card right?) can easily connect. And you can work in bed too! And as akwong said, you get a great firewall (very important). If your laptop doesn't have a wireless card, buy one. Then buy a Linksys wireless router. They're great.

Do a net search for how to configure your router if you get stuck, but believe me, the step-by-easy-step setups for these things are great nowadays.
I think nowadays ISP modems do dynamically assign IPs. You should be fine.