thanks for making a few things str8 zedric about the uplink port, zedric, hadnt had time to come back and check here lately...
With the Linksys or ANY other type of router, except say a nix box or such, the uplink port is for attaching another router or hub/switch as mentioned, linksys isnt dumb, just the tech support is... great product, just crrrrrrap tech support
The uplink port and port 1 are only "shared" if the uplink port is in use, thats with ANY router
so all i need is to get a router, plug one end into the modem, and plug my PCs into the router and i will be able to share files once i configure them properly?? i didnt think that it was that easy.
pretty much, its that easy... of course you will have to configure the pc's, such as file sharing or configure as to what protocol you wish to share files and play games on the lan with... either install your choice of IPv6 (command prompt install IPv6 for XP, go to help and support in XP, will tell you how), IPX/SPX, netbeui, or you can share files over IP/netbios.... my opinion is to use IPX/SPX, but the others will work. I wouldnt really mess with netbeui, old and outdated protocol, and not the safest one either, I just mentioned it as a possible choice, some ppl still like it
You will have to configure the Linksys browser of course, which is pretty much cake to do. DO NOT mess with the DHCP tab, unless you plan on running say a switch or an access point behind one of the computers on the Linksys/LAN. The router itself is a dhcp server built in. I would reccommend configuring each client pc on the network as obtaining an IP automatically, and putting in ip's such as 192.169.1.2 and down the line to not create confusion on the lan when packets are being thrown everywhere, and each PC has its own same unique address each time each pc boots up. This will help also with problems such as having an FTP server and USING pasv mode if desired, among a few other thingy's you and others will use down the road.
To end... Dont go the cheap route for a network by just getting a switch/hub or using ICS... if you want FULL CONTROL of your network, and want to avoid problems that may occur, such as sharing files, and computers not seeing eachother on the lan, wanting a desired computer running when the others arent, or hosting your own lil web server or whatever it may be, save yourself the headache and FUTURE headaches and get yourself a router. I dont in no way no how work for linksys, but I do recommend their product. Plus, if you have problems, I think a majority of 3rd party hardware firewalls use Linksys, and also, it seems as tho the prices keep coming down on their products. I believe i seen the 4 port router for $69 after rebate a few weeks back, may be cheaper now... when i believe I paid around $120 for mine well over 2 years ago.
1 last note, if you do get the linksys router, and find that your linksys is running JUST FINE, and they have a new firmware out, wait a while before thinking of getting it... I am still running 139 when current version is 142... some have a few little bugs, and maybe some were fixed. I recall older firmware that i upgraded to was a pain becuz evertime i hit apply/continue, it looked like the new settings didnt take affect, among other things, usually there is not a big upgrad in firmware, or nothing you would use anyways.
Ahhhh, isnt coffee great