no, NOT A SWITCH -- you need a router.
I don't think so; from the original post, I conclude that he
has a router. If I understand correctly, the router is connected to the internet (DSL or cable, I guess), and it has one ethernet (RJ45) port to connect it to the
local network.
Thus, he can connect the ethernet port of the router to a computer, to create a local area network that has just one computer.
OR he can connect the ethernet port of the router to a switch, and connect one or more computers to the remaining ports on the switch. Each computer will get its own IP address
on the local network, and the router will act as the internet gateway for the local network (i.e., for all of the computers); the router will be assigned
one externally visible IP address (on the internet). The whole local area network will be seen as one
"computer" (i.e., one IP address) from the point of view of the internet.
This
IS how I worked until I bought a new multiple-port router--it
really is!