A simple networking question

Hi all, I would like to setup a LAN with internet connection sharing using win98. This are some question i wish someone can help:
1. What is the big different between 10mbps card and 10/100mbps card ?
2. What is the different between switches and hub?
3. Can I use a 56kbps modem router with 4 port hub for ICS..what is a router for ?
Thanks.

1. RE: A simple networking question
lbyard Feb-14-01 10:36 PM
In response to message 0

LAST EDITED ON Feb-14-01 AT 10:37 PM (GMT)
1. What is the big different between 10mbps card and 10/100mbps card ? Yes; 10 Mhz network adapters are getting hard to find. Depending on the computers, 100 Mhz adapters will go about three or four times faster on the local network. Other than being Ethernet adapters, they are similar in that they cost about the same.
2. What is the different between switches and hub? See http://duxcw.com/faq/network/hubsw.htm
3. Can I use a 56kbps modem router with 4 port hub for ICS.what is a router for? A router is a small box that is connected between a MODEM and a PC or between a MODEM and hub or switch. It is a small, specialized computer running a network server, which implements an external hardware NAT (I think some some of them can be a proxy server) (see http://duxcw.com/digest/Reviews/Network/sygate/sygate.htm for a description of a software NAT). Many routers include an Ethernet Switch or hub (http://duxcw.com/faq/network/hubsw.htm). Most routers are broadband routers and will not work with a dial-up MODEM. The SMC Barricade (http://duxcw.com/digest/Reviews/Network/smc/smc7004br/smc7004br.htm) will work with an external dial-up MODEM. If you have a router, you do not need software for ICS. The oldest version of Windows that includes ICS is Windows 98 Second Edition. Before I would upgrade to Windows 98 SE or Me, I would purchase a 3rd party software solution. In my experience SyGate (http://duxcw.com/digest/Reviews/Network/sygate/sygate.htm). A hardware router (around $100) is definitely the way to go if you have high-speed Internet access, such as a cable MODEM or DSL. Getting a router and external MODEM for a 56K dial-up connection may not be cost effective unless you anticipate a high-speed connection in the future. Larry