Thanks for the response, but put the knives away. I did search the forums, but none really answered the question. I should really elaborate...
I've had ADSL for about a year. I have currently:
- Alcatel Speedtouch 510 single port ethernet ADSL router.
- TiBook (10.2)
Soon a WinXP PC will join the network (new flatmate). I want to buy an airport, but want to save money and not buy a switch/hub if not needed.
As stated the plan I have would be to plug the ADSL router (ethernet) into the WAN port and connect the PC to the LAN port. The TiBook, obviously, connects wirelessly.
This seems to be the "Apple" way of doing it. From their website:
Whats more, you can even use the AirPort firewall to shield the wired computers on your LAN from online attacks. So by connecting a single computer (or a hub connecting several computers) directly to this port, you can place all your computers both wireless and wired behind the protection of the AirPort firewall.
The important part to the question is this: The ADSL router acts as a DHCP server and firewall. Will DHCP requests pass though the airport from the PC and Mac unhindered and will the routers DHCP response pass back to it clients through the airport without it interfering.
ie: can the airport act just as a 2 port hub/switch (port 1: LAN port, port 2: wireless)
It is important that the airport NOT act as a dhcp server. It is also important I not rely on Windows internet connection sharing as the PC will not always be on. If that's the only way to do it then it's not worth the bother.
Thanks in advance.
PS: I had all this info ready in the first post, but !@%$!ing moz crashed before I clicked submit.