Can I use a Netgear Fast Ethernet Switch, for Internet?

Question

Hi, I have a a Netgear Fast Ethernet Switch Model FS108,

I want to know, can I plug my cable modem in this switch, then the other 2 computers, and use this as like a router ? Also I don't see a WAN port on the switch, it has 8 ports, not sure what port i need to plug the modem into.. if you know if this can be done, please let me know, when explaining how to set up please give step-by-steps on how to.. Thank you.

This is a link:

http://www.netgear.com/Products/Switches/DesktopSwitches/FS108.aspx

I have tryed something, it kinda seems to work, I plugged the cable into port 8 (as shown in the pic {off the link}, where, a sever should go) and plugged my computer into port 1, it works just fine, but when I plug the 2ed computer into port 2 all i get is a Limited connection.. if i can get computer 1 to work, how can i get computer 2 to work the same way?

Answer 1

switch requires more than 1 ip from ur isp

the first one worked because it used the ip given by ur isp, all the other 7 Ethernet ports require additional ip form ur isp

my advice, get a router, routers does not require dedicated ip address, they use internal ips, 192.168.X.X...

Answer 2

Billx.. is correct. A switch can be used "behind" a router to allow more connections, but, you need a router to share ONE internet connection!

Routers are "educated" switches with the ability to direct traffic to and from the internet to the correct connected machine, switches like you mention, don't have that ability. Routers also have a small "server" in them to accomplish this routing task and to keep track (using local IP's) for the machines that connect.