Hub not working with home PC/Internet
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Hub not working with home PC/Internet
I've been trying to connect my new VoIP phone with a 10 Mbps 3Com hub (16 ports - model TP16C), but can't pull an IP at all. If I take the hub outta the loop and connect the modem directly to the PC, it works just great... so I know the issue is with the hub connection. I've tried connecting the network cable from the modem to ports 1, 8, 9, and 16 (all the end ports). The 3Com site recommends the highest port be used for the input (16). I get the LED on the front of the hub lit on any port I use for the Internet/modem input, but no IP. I've tried depressing and toggling "out" the MDI/X switch in the back, but neither helps. I have no idea what else to do, and it's killing me not being able to use my new phone service that I'm paying for.
Anyone have any ideas? What am I missing here?
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Welp, I figured this one out and thought I'd mention the solution here. It seems that a hub or switch would not work with a home broadband Internet connection for splitting to two or more devices, as it cannot create IPs, whereas a router can. I simply tried a router instead of the hub, and everything came right up.
Next stop: wireless router. 
