Networking questions. Hub or switch? Which to use?

[JCROCCO]

IS there a major difference between a hub and a switch?

Why are hubs so cheap, and switches so expensive?

What is a managed switch?

Looking for ways to improve network. Any ideas or places to look at?

Is there any REAL benefit to going to a 10/100/1000 mps from a 10/100? Is it worth the extra money? I use a storage device on the network we all access (snapserver, not an actual "server")

What cat cable should be used? 5e, 6, etc?

Moving and redoing network, so anything can change, and now is the time to change it.

Small network with 10-12 devices.

Thanks for any help or advice.

 

[buleyb]

http://www.anandtech.com/guides/faqs.html?cid=12

read here first, then I'm sure we'll be glad to help...

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

If you check small unmanaged switches, you'll find they're dirt cheap, and not a lot more than hubs. The switch is more desirable, especially if you move files between computers a lot, since you'll have a lot more apparent bandwidth available. If you want to insure maximum performance, go for one 16 port switch attached to your broadband router, and connect every computer to the switch. Since the router is only handling Internet traffic, bandwidth there isn't an issue. I seriously doubt that the expense of a managed switch is warranted in your case, since you have such a small network.

I have gigabit NICs in some of my systems, and a gigabit switch for them. The difference wasn't worth the price, but it was an interesting experiment.

I'd wire with CAT6, since the cost is minimal, and you'll never have to go back and redo it.