The BEFRS11 is a single port wired router but can be a DHCP server for the usual 253 clients. Connecting it to a Switch allows more than one PC to share the connection. The SWITCH does no routing or firewalling, just allows additional clients to join. Without the switch only one PC could be attached to the router.
The usual 4 port routers are ALSO built in switches allowing the additional wired connections.
YES he can host over the Internet through the Linksys. I have to figure out what is different between this Linksys and mine (well I know there is quite a lot..but isolating a particular setting or feature may help).
Recluse