Ubuntu network
John Law
Sorry if this is OT. I have ten PCs running Ubuntu that needs to
connect to the Internet. I have to advise to buy either a hub, switch,
or router. Which one is easiest to setup as my Ubuntu knowledge is
limited?
Is it true that I would need a server if I use a hub or switch
(considering them as they are cheaper)?
I already have an ethernet modem to connect to the device.
John
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Karl Auer
> Sorry if this is OT. I have ten PCs running Ubuntu that needs to
> connect to the Internet. I have to advise to buy either a hub, switch,
> or router. Which one is easiest to setup as my Ubuntu knowledge is
> limited?
To connect them together, you need a switch (and/or a wireless access
point).
To connect the resulting network to the Internet, you need a router. To
connect the router to the Internet, you need a modem. That last step
depends on your Internet connection.
Hubs, switches, modems and routers have nothing to do with Ubuntu, they
are independent, self-contained devices. Unless of course you intend to
configure an Ubuntu host as a router.
> Is it true that I would need a server if I use a hub or switch
> (considering them as they are cheaper)?
I don't understand this question.
> I already have an ethernet modem to connect to the device.
What's an "ethernet modem"? Connect to what device? If you mean "a modem
that I connect to a PC using ethernet", then you probably have this
arrangement with one PC:
PC --> modem --> Internet
and what you need is this arrangement
PC (x10) --> switch/accesspoint --> router --> modem --> Internet
You can get devices that are a switch, a router, a wireless access point
and a modem in one unit, but they generally don't have as many as 10
ethernet interfaces.
The questions you have asked suggest very strongly that you personally
should not connect a network of 10 computers to the Internet without
first seeking competent local assistance. The cost will pay itself back
a hundredfold.
Regards, K.
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David Fletcher
I think I know enough to have a go at this one.
> connect to the Internet. I have to advise to buy either a hub, switch,
> or router. Which one is easiest to setup as my Ubuntu knowledge is
If you want to connect multiple PCs to the Internet you'll need a
router, which also forms the basis of your Local Area Network (LAN) i.e.
it provides a DHCP server to define a LAN address, provide network
addresses to your PCs, and other good stuff.
May I suggest a router which is firmware upgradeable - IPV6 approaches!
My router only has four Ethernet sockets, so to connect more than four
machines a switch is required to expand the number of connections.
According to what I understand, a switch performs pretty much the same
function as a hub but in a more intelligent fashion.
The router is the part that may require setting up, and that requires
some networking knowledge.
> Is it true that I would need a server if I use a hub or switch
> (considering them as they are cheaper)?
No, but if you want to run any sort of corporate email, web site, etc.
you'll want something that runs 24/7 i.e. a server that it protected by
a UPS etc.
Liam Proven
> Hi
>
> Sorry if this is OT. I have ten PCs running Ubuntu that needs to
> connect to the Internet. I have to advise to buy either a hub, switch,
> or router. Which one is easiest to setup as my Ubuntu knowledge is
> limited?
>
> Is it true that I would need a server if I use a hub or switch
> (considering them as they are cheaper)?
>
> I already have an ethernet modem to connect to the device.
You need:
* a switch with at least 11 ports (for simplicity's sake)
* a router/firewall
Connect the Ethernet modem (I am guessing it is something like a cable
modem?) into the router's Internet-facing port.
Connect the router's internal-network port to the switch.
Connect all the PCs to the switch.
Turn on the router first.
Try with your original PC - check that the modem is happy talking to
the router. (Some cable modems are restricted and will only talk to
one Ethernet MAC address - you can't just switch the device. You might
need to tell the router to use your PC's MAC address, and ideallt,
give the PC a new one - such as the router's old one, which you know
will not be in use and is valid.)
If the original PC is still talking to the Internet OK, turn on all the others.
You're done. Enjoy.
If your budget will not permit a 12-port or larger switch, but the
router has 4 or 5 ports on it - this is quite common - you could use
an 8-port switch and connect the other PCs direct into the back of the
router. This is less elegant but it should work fine.
No server or config should be needed. The router should act as a DHCP
and DNS server and will assign TCP/IP addresses to all the connected
PCs.
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Gilles Gravier
On 19/03/2012 23:03, John Law wrote:
> Sorry if this is OT. I have ten PCs running Ubuntu that needs to
> connect to the Internet. I have to advise to buy either a hub, switch,
> or router. Which one is easiest to setup as my Ubuntu knowledge is
> limited?
>
> Is it true that I would need a server if I use a hub or switch
> (considering them as they are cheaper)?
>
> I already have an ethernet modem to connect to the device.
It's only OT because there is NOTHING to do on the Ubuntu side. :)
I'll start by the start. You say you have an ethernet modem. If this
really IS a modem, then it's a fairly dumb device, and you are likely to
need to buy a router. That router will take the single IP address
provided by the modem, and provide behind it a whole network for your
Ubuntu machines. Most routers can talk to ethernet modems directly using
a protocol called PPPoE. Make sure your modem and your router support
that. Chances are (95%) this is out of the box.
Most consumer routers are also WiFi. You might (or not) want to disable
WiFi... if some of your Ubuntu machines are laptops, keep the WiFi. :)
Most routers will also need no specific LAN configurations for your
Ubuntu machines.
Most routers have a 4 port ethernet switch in the back. This is not
enough for your 10 machines. You will need to buy a switch. Since they
come in 4, 8 or 16 port versions usually, go for a 16 port to be simple.
Switches are simple devices, the router will do all the work for you.
Pull a cable form the WAN port of your router to the LAN port of your
ethernet modem.
Pull a cable from one port of your switch to one of the LAN switch ports
of your router.
Pull a cable from each of the Ubuntu machines to one of the ports on the
switch.
At this point all Ubuntu machines are on the LAN and should see the
router. You need to talk to the router (web address documented in the
user manual of the router... most likely http://192.168.1.1/ or
http://192.1681.254/ but some router manufacturers are exotic - check
your manual). From the router administration page, make sure you
configure your WAN settings so that it talks to the Ethernet Modem
(PPPoE most likely).
You should be all set.
Gilles.