Belkin router - can I use this for a network hub?

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Belkin router - can I use this for a network hub?

geekIT

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#207598 4-Jan-2017 16:06

I need a couple of spare LAN ports for a little project, but I'm using all 4 ports on my Spark Technicolor Modem.

(I thought I had a spare network hub lying around but I must have tossed it when we moved, durnit!)

So I'm wondering if I can patch a Belkin router into my home network to add a few more ports.

A neighbor found it at the local recycling center and passed it onto me.

It's brand new in an unopened box, but it's a bit of a dinosaur because it's just a router, not a MODEM\router.

Not particularly useful these days, which is probably why someone dumped it.

It's also wireless. Full name - Belkin Wireless 802.11G Router. A sticker says it's 'ver.6003au'.

My question: I'm guessing I can just patch it into my network, and I think it'll act like a hub.

But I'm not quite sure what'll happen if it starts beaming wireless signals around my house. My four notebooks might freak out.

I'm an PC service guy (retired) and I feel I ought to be able to sort this myself, but I've never run across this situation before.

Helpful advice would be much appreciated (8-))

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sbiddle

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#1698465 4-Jan-2017 16:40

Are you meaning hub or switch? Both are very different.

Yes it will work as a switch if you disable DHCP on it, and also give it a static IP address on your current subnet so you can get into it again if necessary.

geekIT

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#1698484 4-Jan-2017 17:18

sbiddle: Hub or switch? IMHO it's a 'hub'.

And by 'hub' I mean a mindless gadget like the power strip (or multi-plug) that everyone connects to their 3-pin sockets to yield yet more 3-pin sockets. In my computer servicing days, most of my customers had power strips plugged into power strips plugged into power strips...ad infinitum. 20 or 30 sockets that originated from one little old 3-pin plug.

So that's what I'm talking about. In LAN terms, I want to set up a few more empty sockets on my network.

To quote a phrase found online: "...hubs can be connected to a router with multiple PC ports to expand a LAN..."

So, my question is, can I 'expand my LAN' by patching in this Belkin Router?

Obviously, I could go buy another 'hub' but why do that if the Belkin will fill the bill?

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sbiddle

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#1698491 4-Jan-2017 17:28

You want a switch, not a hub. As I exaplained they are two very different things that function very differently. The only reason you'd use a hub these days is basically for lab work as you get easy traffic mirroring without having to use mirrored ports in a switch.

Yes it will work as a switch, and to use it you need to follow my instructions in the first reply.

geekIT

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#1698540 4-Jan-2017 18:51

sbiddle: You want a switch, not a hub. As I exaplained they are two very different things that function very differently. The only reason you'd use a hub these days is basically for lab work as you get easy traffic mirroring without having to use mirrored ports in a switch...'

Sorry, I think your 'exaplanation' is bollocks. I had a simple hub set up in my last workshop, and all it did was provide more LAN ports.

All I'm in doubt about here is whether this Belkin router, because it has wireless capabilities, will cause some sort of conflict in my LAN.

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sbiddle

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#1698547 4-Jan-2017 19:04

geekIT:

sbiddle: You want a switch, not a hub. As I exaplained they are two very different things that function very differently. The only reason you'd use a hub these days is basically for lab work as you get easy traffic mirroring without having to use mirrored ports in a switch...'

Sorry, I think your 'exaplanation' is bollocks. I had a simple hub set up in my last workshop, and all it did was provide more LAN ports.

All I'm in doubt about here is whether this Belkin router, because it has wireless capabilities, will cause some sort of conflict in my LAN.

I'm not sure what you think I'm making up. A hub and a switch do similar things, but both do them very differently. They are not the same thing and the terms are not interchangeable.

Providing you follow the steps above (and disable WiFi if you don't want it broadcasting) it will work, however spending $15 on a new 5 port switch would be easier.

djtOtago

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#1698549 4-Jan-2017 19:06

A Hub will do what you want.

A Switch will do what you want.

A Switch will do what you want better than a Hub.

The Belkin will have a switch in it. (Unless it is very old) Just configure it as per @sbiddle instructions. and use it.

hyperman

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#1698556 4-Jan-2017 19:16

sbiddle:

geekIT:

sbiddle: You want a switch, not a hub. As I exaplained they are two very different things that function very differently. The only reason you'd use a hub these days is basically for lab work as you get easy traffic mirroring without having to use mirrored ports in a switch...'

Sorry, I think your 'exaplanation' is bollocks. I had a simple hub set up in my last workshop, and all it did was provide more LAN ports.

All I'm in doubt about here is whether this Belkin router, because it has wireless capabilities, will cause some sort of conflict in my LAN.

I'm not sure what you think I'm making up. A hub and a switch do similar things, but both do them very differently. They are not the same thing and the terms are not interchangeable.

Providing you follow the steps above (and disable WiFi if you don't want it broadcasting) it will work, however spending $15 on a new 5 port switch would be easier.

Getting OT here but sbiddle is correct

a Hub operates on layer 1 (correct me if I am wrong here) they are a dumb appliance that takes every packet and puts it out onto every port

a Switch on the other hand operates on layer 3 it actually looks at the packet finds the MAC address then forwards it to the correct port and only that port!

TL:DR

a"Hub" is not the same as a "Switch" and NEVER will be

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richms

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#1698563 4-Jan-2017 19:35

Just buy a hub. They are dirt cheap. The ones in routers are usually software controlled by the CPU, so when it reboots everything drops out.

Richard rich.ms

Lias

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#1698683 5-Jan-2017 08:36

Sorry, but sbiddle is right, and you are wrong.

I'm a geek, a gamer, a dad, a Quic user, and an IT Professional. I have a full rack home lab, size 15 feet, an epic beard and Asperger's. I'm a bit of a Cypherpunk, who believes information wants to be free and the Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. If you use my Quic signup you can also use the code R570394EKGIZ8 for free setup.

Jase2985

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#1698693 5-Jan-2017 09:02

OP you are using the term hub in a different context to what the device actually is, you are right to call it a hub as its a central place you can connect all your devices, but the device you need to use to create your hub is a switch. which is what ever poster has tried to tell you and you have just ignored.

you can buy a 5 port switch for about $30 from PB Tech which will do gigabit, as i suspect your current belkin router will only be fast ethernet given it only supports 802.11g

richms

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#1699013 5-Jan-2017 20:06

A hub makes everything a single collision domain, and only operates at half duplex and also has a limitation that you can only have a short cable between them when you stack them since the distance between the devices becomes an issue for creating collisions. A switch (some dinosaurs will call them switching hubs but thats gone out in the 80's along with AUI interfaces and repeaters and thick net and other obsolete terminology.) has each port as a separate collision domain, an ethernet frame is received and then when the destination port is free it is transmitted to it.

Most nowdays will start transmitting while still receiving the frame, but that was not always the case. Collisions cannot happen when there are only 2 devices with separate transmit and receive pairs, there are still half duplex options on ethernet ports for when they are connected to the old type of repeating hub, but you shouldnt ever need to set those as everything should be full dupled.

Richard rich.ms

sorceror

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#1700633 9-Jan-2017 19:55

richms:

Just buy a hub. They are dirt cheap. The ones in routers are usually software controlled by the CPU, so when it reboots everything drops out.

please show me where you buy a hub in 2017, they were hard to find 10 years ago. now they are pretty much antiques