<p>I am in a triple. I am bringing a desktop, laptop, and an xbox. Each of my roomates will have 1 computer. I am going to buy the networking equipment.</p>
<p>Do i need a hub, a switch, or a router?</p>
<p>It is my understanding that hubs and switches cannot give out their own IP addresses and thus do not get around the 2 MAC address per student. If i buy a router i will be able to register the router's MAC address as a component then it will give out IPs to anything plugged into it correct? And go with the wired router, not wireless?</p>
<p>"If i buy a router i will be able to register the router's MAC address as a component then it will give out IPs to anything plugged into it correct?"</p>
<p>Yes.</p>
<p>"And go with the wired router, not wireless?"</p>
<p>Personal choice here. No reason not to go wireless.</p>
<p>If you go with a hub or a switch rather than a router (which you shouldn't), this should help you get your xbox working:</p>
<p>For what it's worth, if you don't want them to know you're using a router you should avoid brands like linksys. However, there is no reason to think anyone cares or anyone will check. And the beautiful thing about umich is you can always claim ignorance. (Just kidding ;))</p>
<p>Are you saying not to go with linksys since the average person will not turn off the ssid or enable wpa and it will show up as linksys? I guess whenever I see linksys as an ssid and its unprotected then I think...hmm, free internet for all!!</p>
<p>I hate that umich is upping their wifi encryption to wpa2. I can barely find a wpa sdio wifi card for my pocket pc and none at all for wpa2 so I won't be able to use it wirelessly at all. Unless I want to pay 2 cents per kilobyte with my cell phone.</p>
<p>And as long as you're paying 40 bucks, you may as well get a wireless router for the same price. You can always turn off the wireless features. If you ever add devices you can hook up the free hub behind the router.</p>
<p>Under your housing contract, you are not permitted to have a wireless router in your room....that's not to say people don't get away with it...but just so you rae aware.</p>
<p>When you register the MAC address, whatever is behind the router is invisible to the rest of the network.</p>
<p>You can also change the router's name so that it doesn't appear as default. For advanced options like this, you should look for a linksys, because those tend to have options like that.</p>
<p>I was looking at 8 ports because there will be 5 computers (well 4 and 1 xbox) and incase someone else comes over and wants to plug their computers. I dont care about the wireless. I am not going to use it and by the time i get into my own house and need to buy wireless N will be the new standard.</p>
<p>"I will not alter or extend the network by adding any equipment, such as but not limited to wireless access points, routers or hardware firewalls. I will not alter network wiring, equipment or network jacks."</p>
<p>So maybe i should just register my two computers then double my pcs MAC address on my xbox and just get a switch and not use them at the same time. Less fuss.</p>
<p>yea but im saying it doesnt specifically say wireless routers. In my opinion, just because it says wireless, doesn't mean it applies all three items listed since there is no such thing as a wireless hardware firewall. But, I mean I get what your saying, I am just hard-headed and if they want to impose limitations, then they should make the regulations clearer, cause I see that as a loophole.</p>
<p>A wireless router serves as a wireless access point, a router, and a hardware firewall. If they go after you, you won't get off on a technicality like that.</p>
<p>I get that, not saying I was going to still purchase one. However, my intentions to purchase one were for a wireless network in case I was too lazy to hook my laptop up or too lazy to go back to my room to use it and just surf outside, it wasn't for anyone else. Though I am sure some people are getting away with wired routers.</p>
<p>Wired routers aren't allowed, but there's also almost zero chance of them catching you/caring. Proceed at your own risk.</p>
<p>Each room has 2 ethernet ports, but only 1 is active. You can borrow a hub from the the university for the school year, which is good enough for most people. If you're going to have more than 3 devices needing internet access, then you might want to consider a router.</p>