What's the difference between a HUB and SWITCH

[lRageATMl]

Here's my situation, I have a cable modem and 4 computers that I want to be able to use the cable modem. So this is what I was gonna do (avoiding routers), I have two NIC cars I'm gonna stick in my PC (as teh server), one nic the cable modem would be going to and the other nic would be going in to a HUB or SWITCH.

which one should I use? let's say for example that the bandwidth is 10MB, if there are 5 users total, then with a HUB will any computer be acle to use up to 10MB of bandwidth? same question for a SWITCH, or is it in a SWITCH each computer will be limited to 2MB? I bsacially want to be able for each of the computers to get the maximum bandwidth possible when other users aren't using their computers. I don't want everything to be split eveningly, that's not the problem. In fact, if I'm teh server can I limit the other people's bandwidth using ICS?

 

[rw120555]

There have been some recent threads on this, e.g. this one. To cut to the chase, a switch will most likely be better. But, why not get a router? That would probably be better still and wouldn't cost much more. See Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing.

As for controlling the bandwidth split, there have also been some recent threads on that, and I believe the consensus was that it wasn't easy, unless you want to buy more expensive equipment or use a Linux box as your router. I believe each machine will grab the max it can when the others are not active. Limiting others bandwidth would mostly be an issue if some users are downloading like crazy while others are gaming. For internet browsing and the like, I suspect you'll never even much notice the difference between when one pc is active and all are active.

 

[lRageATMl]

main reason for no router, i have an ftp up and a bunch of my friends who have routers can;t get to it. long story....anyways that's what i want...each PC grabbing the ma when possible. thanks for your help.

 

[Fatt]

So you're going to use one of your hosts as a router? OK

You'll still have FTP issues and so do your friends but that's another story.


Anyway, a hub is sort of like a fancy splitter. A switch actually breaks up collision domains.

That's an oversimplification but it doesn't really matter.

Point is that you don't have enough hosts to worry about getting a switch unless you plan to host LAN parties.

Get a hub.