What are the best Network Adapter (two adapters) for a Peer-To-Peer connection (and maybe a future hub/switch setup) :-)

[TechMaster]

Thanks

 

[DataFly]

I'd suggest the FA310TX 100BaseTx from Netgear. It's almost as good as the much more costly 3Com and Cisco gear and can be found at many local or internet shops as part of a network starter kit or by itself.

In my home network we are using two and I have had almost no trouble with them compared to other brands I've tried like D-Link. Their support center is very useful too.

 

[micron]

I like D-Link & Linksys.

 

[XMan]

If one was going to go with much the same setup, but didn't to buy a kit, what's the best 4-port switch for a small network that isn't inordinately expensive? TechMaster, I like 3Com network cards, but I can't recommend their hub/switches in good conscience because they're so much more expensive than the competition!

 

[Lokan]

I've been using a NetGear FA310TX for over a year and a half and I've never had a single problem with it. I also use their EN104TP 4 port hub for my roomates's PCs and the only time it let me down was during a lightning storm (note: Living in Florida, the lightning capital of the US sucks) but I bought the same model again.

I'm getting DSL in a couple days (yay, no more cable) and will be purchasing their 4 port Switch. Upon reading alot of reviews, I've found that NetGear's switch was more compatable and more stable versus the LinkSys. In fact, some users reported slowdowns and frequent disconnects whereas the NetGear product experienced neither.

The one time I needed NetGear's tech support (was a dumb mistake, you know, the ones you ALWAYS forget? ) I called and wasn't on hold very long before a nice, knowledgable person came on the line and walked me through the process and didn't act like he was god with a computer (I hate level 1 techs ;D).

All in all, I can highly recommend NetGear's products. They're a great "bang for the buck" product that has earned nothing but praise from me.

 

[JimMc]

Got a Netgear switch (FS105) and a Netgear/Linksys NIC combo in the ICS machine and a SMC NIC in the other box. The Netgear and SMC cards have never given me any trouble under multiple operating systems, the Linksys was a huge pain in the a$$ getting it recognized by W2K. I strongly recommend using two different brands of NICS if you are going to use ICS so you know which one has the cable/DSL connection and which one goes to the switch.

Xerox Man, I can highly recommend the Netgear switch, I have never had any connectivity problems, been knocked off the table a time or two and it is still going strong. The CAT5 plugs in the front, that is my only complaint. Also check out this deal at buy.com Netgear Switch/NIC Combo the FS105 5 port switch and two NICS for $93.

 

[Ausm]

D-link is cheap yet effective..

Ausm