esara123@hotmail.com (esara) wrote in message news:...
> Hi
> I am very confused about CISCO router. I have a CISCO 1600 router and
> what I see in the back of the router the following ports/outputs:
>
> 10baseT, Ethernet0, AUI, serial0, console, flashPC card, 14v VDC
>
> Why I am confused! becuase lets say we have 4 computers, how can I
> connect them using CISCO router. I have linkSys router and it has WAN,
> LAN, and 4 RJ45 ports, so I can use linkSys router to coonect these
> computer but not the CISCO!! Am I right.. I think I need something
> else beside the CISCO router! what is it?? I do not know
>
> Thanks a lot.


It depends what you are trying to do. If you just need a simple home
network, go with the LinkSys router. That will be more than
sufficient for your needs. The Cisco router is useful when you need
the additional capabilities of it's IOS. You can configure and manage
the Cisco 1600 router a lot more than you can the LinkSys. The
LinkSys is designed to be operated by a home user who doesn't have a
ton of experience with networking but wants to be able to have a good
router/firewall. You'll notice that the LinkSys states that it is a
combination router/4 port switch. The Cisco 1600 is not. It is
designed for a different setting. You would put a 1600 maybe at the
front of a small to medium sized business network and put a switch or
two out of the one ethernet port. Then you would go into the router
and configure it with access control lists, load balancing, subnets,
and a ton of other things that you can do to tweak out better network
performance and custom tailored security. By the way, Cisco has
transceivers that you can get to change the AUI port to an ethernet
port.

What are your needs? That is the real question. If you give more
info on that, maybe I or somebody else could suggest some ideas.

The reason your confused is because of LINKSYS. Althogh Linksys
routers and the like are much more than just routers. They provide
you with NAT, A Switch, Multi-ohmed firewall, Port Redirector to name
a few. All that is in 1 single very light box. It's all you need for
a home network.

Your Cisco 1600 Router Is often used for ISDN/T1 Lines. It is JUST a
router. It is not used for connecting HOME computers. Unless you have
a T1 or an ISDN Line coming in your house, you have virtualy no use
for the 1600 Series unless your trying to set up a home lab.
Basically Cisco Routers are for WAN configurations, connecting more
than 1 Network together. At home you have a LAN, which is just as its
named, LOCAL area network.

YOU CAN get really crazy and connect your linksys router to 1600
router then get another 1600 router, configure them both with some
encapsulation or L2TP what ever you feel like then from there connect
it to a switch. NOW you have a serious network with some security
there. OH WHAT FUN!