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    macnext1's Avatar
    macnext1 Posts: 33, Reputation: 1
    Junior Member
    		  
    #1

    Apr 23, 2008, 04:12 AM
    Ethernet Hub -- How do they work?
    According to the reading I have done, an Ethernet hub is basically a signal splitter. It takes a signal coming in on any port and broadcasts it to all the other hubs. That is why computers hooked up to a hub have to be able to handle collisions. I don't have multiple computers; I have 2 modems, 1 satellite and 1 DSL. I would like to hook my computer and both modems up an Ethernet Hub. I would then power one of the modems off so I would basically just have a feed-through from my computer to the hub to the modem and out to the world. Thoughts? Suggestions? Help? Thanks for whatever thoughts you may have on this topic.
    Scleros's Avatar
    Scleros Posts: 2,165, Reputation: 262
    Hardware Expert
    		  
    #2

    Jul 8, 2008, 01:11 PM
    A hub is more of a multiport repeater than a splitter. They take what's received on one port and retransmit it on all the others. Most such devices today are switches that learn the devices on each port and only retransmit packets on the appropriate port.

    What are you trying to achieve?
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
    Uber Member
    		  
    #3

    Jul 8, 2008, 01:20 PM
    Auto MI-DX (I forget the acronym) ports automatically determine if the pairs used for transmit and receive.
    macnext1's Avatar
    macnext1 Posts: 33, Reputation: 1
    Junior Member
    		  
    #4

    Jul 9, 2008, 06:04 AM
    What I'm trying to achieve is to be able (easily) to switch from one modem (ISP) to another. I tried using a splitter (RJ45?) but I still have to disconnect one or the other, I can't just leave them plugged in and power off the one I don't want. That is what I would like to be able to do (getting too stiff in the joints to enjoy crawling under the desk). Since a hub as you describe it sounds like it might repower the signal perhaps that would work. What do yawl think?
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
    Computer Expert and Renaissance Man
    		  
    #5

    Jul 9, 2008, 06:28 AM
    Why would you have two ISPs?

    But if you only have ONE computer, then you could get a switch (hard to find plain hubs nowadays), connect both modems and the PC to the switch, and just power on the modem you want to use.
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
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    #6

    Jul 9, 2008, 07:40 AM
    What you can do is get yourself some software that allows multiple Ethernet configurations or two Ethernet cards.

    Configure the systems (Satelite, DSL) with different gateways. Configure the connections in Windows with the gateways. When you select the appropriate connection, the gateway determines the route.

    I've never seen a Satellite modem, so I don't know if it would work. This would work if you had a DSL and cable modem.
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