Is A Router Really Necessary?

Hi everyone, I have a friend who is advising me to get a Router for my G4's connection to the web but since I am only running this one computer in one room, I don't understand what the advantages would be. He says that it will improve the reliability of my connection to the web, (which isn't something I\ve ever had a problem with) I didn't take him up on his offer to fit a Router for me but I am wondering now whether I am missing-out on something? Isn't a Router just a device to allow more than one computer to access the same connection and/or to allow a laptop to operate from a different room? Thanks in advance for any info or advice.

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Thats true, you don't need a router for the case you are in.
Routers even though they allow multiple computers to access the net most also have inbuilt hardware firewalls which stops unwanted connections and gives you that extra protection against viruses.
BUT in your case, since you have a mac this isn't a problem in my opinion. The security on the pc itself should be better then enough, also because it is a mac most trojans and viruses generally wont run so you are already mostly protected!
All you really need is to keep your computer secure and your net connection is fine

Hope it helps
-HellFire

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if you ever get more computers it will be usefull. like if you want to use an old computer to host a gaming server or a web server that way you can play around with less cords also if you get a wireless router there is the wireless advantages. but be carefull! people can easily use your wireless connection if they can get close enough eg. apartments and town homes. even next door neighboors or a kid passing by with a psp or laptop. this is fraud but many people do it anyways. happy rout(er)ing.(trails) ok i suck at jokes.

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Here in Peru, the major ADSL ISP is: Telefonica del Peru.

Three reasons to have a router:
1. They provide ADSL connection with "one rj45 port" routers. You pay for the router but they guarantee the stability/reliability/security of your Internet connection. Normally I have my router turned on all day, if for some reason: energy break, dogs playing, children learning, bad day, etc.... your computer is affected, your router is safe an available to download lots of torrents and serve wireless to your neighbors(not if you hide the SSID).
2. Any internal device consumes resources (CPU) and may slow down your computer, an independent device is better.
3. You don't have to play the connect/disconnect game with your ADSL and wait for reconnection.

Blessings!

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Hi everyone.

Thanks to all of you for your various replies which have each helped to take some of the mystery out of routers for me. I am pleased to know that my G4 mac is safe from unofficial 'sharers' - that is one of my main concerns.

I am obviously in expert company on this website and will probably be back with more questions soon.
Thanks to you all for taking the time to share your knowledge.

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One advantage of a router is that it acts as a hardware firewall, which is better than a software firewall.

xboxrulz

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Quick answer is no, you don't if you don't want to spend the money. I always run my OSX macs with firewall on (software from System Prefrences) even behind a router. In my case, the cable outlet is in one room of my apartment and my computers are in another room, so I need the wireless feature to connect to the internet.

Then I have an old wired gigabit router in the room for a wired LAN for Xgrid/Qmaster rendering. But again a have several computers.

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If you are just using the cable modem directly, you don't need to worry about anyone stealing the internet connection. Unless they can physically access your modem, there is a very unlikely chance that anyone can use it. The router can be useful if you intend to use wireless internet connectivity. Is this G4 a laptop or a desktop? If laptop and you want to roam around the house and have internet, you can buy a wireless router.

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Yes, a router is simply a gateway. It links multiple computers together and allows them to send bits of data to one another, I believe that process is called "packet switching," where each computer sends bits of data to the other at the same time, which increases reliability and speed.
Don't quote me on that, I may have it backwards.

None-the-less, for a single computer not on a network a router is simply pointless. If you ever intend to get more computers and form a network then I would highly recommend you get a good quality router. Some DSL modems, however, act as both a DSL modem AND a router. I don't believe that there's a special name for these devices. My home network runs off of our DSL modem. It is the Qwest Advanced Networking Modem (2Wire 2700HG-D I do believe) and it's a beautiful device! It makes life easy.

Anyways, back to the subject, no, a router isn't necessary unless you intend to have a home network. Purchasing one wouldn't make your internet connection anymore reliable than it already is, and one never knows, it could cause you more headache than benefit.

 

 

 

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It is just a G4 Tower which stays in one room so, from what I can tell from most of the knowledgeable replies to my question, there's really no advantage in me going down the 'router route'. ha ha

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