switch or hub

[mike3421]

to split roadrunner which should i use ?

 

[reicherb]

How many computers and what applications?

 

[mike3421]

2 computers.

 

[reicherb]

a hub is cheap and would work just fine for your needs. If you plan to expand to more computers or do any network gaming in the future you might consider a switch.

 

[spidey07]

The year is 2001. Thalt shalt not purchase shared media.

switch for sure.

 

[CollegeGuy]

Personally, I would use a hub because it is the cheapest option. You are only using two computers, so a switch wouldn't really do much for you in terms of ROI.

 

[SilverBack]

A switch will improve the speed of your small LAN.
Provided you have 10/100 NIC cards.
The speed from both pc's will be limited to each other by the speed of the existing internet connection.

Advantages for a $150 switch/router are many. Speed and security are the two main reasons.
The Linksys and Netgear 4 port router/switchs provide very good quality products that function very well.
They act as firewalls to protect you from outside sources.

A simple hub can't do that...

 

[RanDum72]

I would go with a switch. If you have only one IP address, then you should go with a router/switch all-in-one thingie. Switches, if connected to a 10/100 NIC will alow you to connect two computers in 100 full-duplex mode (effectively 200mbs, 100 send and 100 receive). I notice a difference in speed when using just two computers between a switch and a hub, especially when both PC's are in heavy use (downloads, games).