I just got DiRECWAY satellite broadband and have a DW6000 modem, which I will soon connect to my home network.
The security function of a router, as I understand it, is to let you choose which “ports” are accessible from the insecure side of the router. In this sense, a port is a 16 bit address (sort of) that defines the route information is supposed to take inside your system. Or at least I think so.
This is not to be confused with the ability to plug multiple ethernet lines into the same box, which is the function of a hub or a switch. Routers and hubs or switches are often integrated into the same box, confusing the issue. But I am not asking about that.
I want to know if my DW6000 is performing this security function. All DiRECWAY can tell me is that there is only one port on the DW6000, referring of course to the one ethernet jack (a hardware port), and I must buy my own router (apparently meaning switch or hub) if I want multiple jacks. If I understand correctly, they are missing the point. Their web site basically says if I give them money I will be happy and everything will be OK; now that I shelled out, this information is irrelevant (if it ever was).
I want to know so I understand whether adding a router between my DW6000 and my ethernet switch will provide needed security, or on the other hand whether I already have that security.
Thanks!