Router or switch???

[logan6900]

Hello

I want to connect 2 computers to the internet so that I can transmit video from each computer.

I would also like to share data occasionally between my 2 computers.

I have a cable modem/cable ISP

I have been told if the 2 computers are on the same subnet they CAN share data(say with a switch)

I am not sure if I should use a switch or routers

Now I know that I will have no firewall if I use a switch
Also I will need 2 seperate IP's (so no $$saving by using a router) as each computer needs its own IP # to run the (ifcam ver D) software correctly

My main concern is QUALITY, ie Speed and connectivity!
I have been told by my video hosting Company that routers can slow down video transmission and cause connectivity issues for my viewers.

Is this True???

Basiclly I connect my video to a server and my customers connect to the server which then connects their computer to my computer and they get my video

Each computer has its own web cam

I just want a means to have both computers transmiting video at the same time



Should I use a router or switch to connect my 2 computers to my cable modem??

Where can I look for more help on networking for video tranmission??

Logan:cool: :rolleyes:

[Greenstead]

I have not put video on the internet myself so far, but I do use a camcorder and store digital video to disc and (my) web quality compression makes for poor quality.

I was a little unclear how you are intending to make the video available to your audience.

As I understood it you have a hosting agent where you will store your video files and then the 'audience' will access the hosting service to view the files ? Are they video files or stills ? Or is a real-time streaming service ?

A router incorporating a switch is the best way to share a cable internet connection with more than one PC. There are many cable routers+4 port switch available. A router does impose a small delay (milisecs) but normally not noticable. There should be no connectivity issue if the audience gets the files from your host service. I would think the most critical is your bandwidth to the internet.

[logan6900]

Thanks thats a pretty good answer just that I keep getting different ones from different people, and my video is live
not stored

the host server connects the customers computer to my coming outta my computer

Would appreciate any more input on this I have a linksys switched router, now just wondering if I should return it for a switch thats why I am asking for opinions.

The tech support at the host site said that the router can act as a bottle neck so I am still not sure

Would a switch be faster then a Router or switched router??

Logan

:confused:

[Greenstead]

Well, thinking aloud. (bear in mind my lack of experience streaming video means I don't have a sure answer).

The router is not a bandwidth bottleneck - typically 10Mbps. It can throput far more than your bandwidth to the internet (I guess you have 1Mbps or 2 Mbps). The modem typically has a limit of 10Mbps which would be the bottleneck if you had that much bandwidth to the internet. I would think the tech support guy is more worried about router delay.

If you have one internet address and two PCs to feed to your host then you must have some internet sharing method like a router or ICS (a software router).

The alternative would be two static internet addresses (maybe thats what you have) and a switch - you then need to protect each PC with a firewall. The switch will not have the router delays.

Looking at this from another viewpoint, I watch video off the internet (e.g. film trailers) coming thro my router. I don't see any delay effects. So I'm not convinced the router is a factor.