Difference between a Hub and a Switch

[bullion416]

What is the difference between an ethernet hub and switch? Is one better than the other?

 

[rw120555]

What is the difference between an Ethernet hub and switch?
A switch is better and generally only costs a little more -- but for a small home network it may not matter much. I always just splurge and pay a little extra for switches.

 

[spidey07]

<---remembers paying $18,100 dollars for a 5 port 10 Base-T switch from a little company called Kalpana.

 

[JackMDS]

Log here, and click on Switch vs. Hub. scottmac.net

Anyway it is all in the phonemics

Swicth is Swoosss...........

Hub is Hubbbbb

 

[p1800volvo]

Hub = Every packet sent is received by all computers connected to the hub.
Switch = Only the computer that is supposed to receive the packet gets it. Less traffic.

Very general, but I only charger $.02 for this post anyway. For a home set-up, it does not matter.

 

[bullion416]

If I were to buy a switch, would it serve the same purpose as a hub if I wanted to do file sharing or LAN gaming with people hooked up to that switch?

 

[JackMDS]

Yes.

 

[bullion416]

Does it really matter what kind of switch I get as long as it is a 10/100Mbps switch? Because I found an Addtron Switch for $18. This is the link: http://store.yahoo.com/avready/adfcorgrsh4p.html Should I get this one or is there a btter one for around the same price?

 

[bullion416]

I also saw this Compaq switch: http://store.yahoo.com/3btech/com105poraut.html

 

[rw120555]

I've never heard of addtron. It may be fine, but my bias is to spend a little more and buy netgear (e.g. the fs105 or fs605) or other name brand products. Netgear has a better warranty if nothing else. You can probably find a store in town which has these, which would save you shipping.

 

[JackMDS]

Fo home use, and a Network of less than 10 computer it does not matter.

Get the cheapest you can find.