Question : DSL Modem + HUB + 2 PCs = ??

My system: Windows 2000 Pro (sp4), AMD Athlon 1 Gig, ECS K7S5A Mobo, Onboard NIC, Linksys NH1005 HUB, Efficient Networks SpeedStream 5360 DSL Ethernet Modem.  I just recently signed up for DSL High Speed Internet Access with Bell Sympatico here in Ontario.  What every one has told me is that I would be unable to attach both of my PCs and DSL Modem to the HUB and obtain full internet access on both systems.  After installing the software that came with the modem and logging in on both PCs I find Im able to access the internet without any problems.  What gives?  I have not purchased a 2nd IP from my ISP. An IPCONFIG reveals a unique external IP address for both PCs as well as unique internal IP address.

Can you tell me:

1. Is this just a fluke or will my setup remain stable throughout the service?  I figure Bell would have blocked me if it werent allowed.

2. Because Im using a HUB am I experiencing slower speeds then if i were to use a gateway/router?  I have a DLINK DI-704 router but havent yet had a need to use it.  Because I make use of peer to peer apps like Kazaa and eMule I'm a bit relucant to use the router due to the number of headaches it may introduce whereas the HUB with its unique external IPs there is no fuss.

3. I did a search on the Efficient Networks SPeedStream 5360 DSL Modem.  It mentions it's capable of supporting up to 2 "ethernet attached" PCs.  Is this the reason why Im able to plug it into the HUB and be able to access the internet with my 2 PCs?  What does it mean?

4. Just surfing the net I experience terrific speeds (100KB/s) but as soon as I launch Kazaa or eMule surfing plummets to around 5KB/s.  With my Cable Modem service I never experienced such extremes before.  Can this be resolved with a router or perhaps less number of incoming requests/uploads-downloads being made by the peer-2-peer client?

Answer : DSL Modem + HUB + 2 PCs = ??

If your not worried about security then a hub is perfectly fine, I used a hub for the last 3 years and had no problems with it, I only switched to a router to share internet with 5 people.
if it is the problems with the router and "blocked ports" (so you can't use it with MIRC, ICQ, or MSN or something) then you can simply find the right ports to open and you shouldn't have that problem anymore.  However this is a little more work.

your second questions about the drop in speed of PC#2, would definately happen with a router if your capped at a certain speed, say your capped at 300KB/s, when you share the same IP address they will share the same bandwidth, so you'll notice PC #2 slowing down more.

Depending on how your ISP has their network setup you might get better speeds with a hub because they will give each computer separate IP addresses and they will each be capped at 300 KB/s, so theoretically you'll have double the bandwidth.

Again depending on your router you should be able to get the 2 IP addresses working with the router, again it involves a little work.