Whats the difference between?

[Sniper82]

The Linksys BEFSRU31 3 port router and the Linksys BEFSR41 4 port besides the extra port? Anything special?

 

[spazntwich1]

I believe the 31 3 is just a 5 port hub with a WAN port on it. The 41 4 has a 4 port integrated switch.

 

[bret]

read the specs on the 2

 

[Sniper82]

Well I know that but is a switch alot better than a hub? Why? Could someone explain why the 41 is better?

 

[spazntwich1]

A switch is capable of providing the max badnwidth between each device, or something like that.

It's difficult to explain. On a ethernet network with a hub, everyone broadcasts to everyone, so there are tons of wasted packets. You basically have to take the max bandwidth of the hub, and divide it between the # of computers.

I.E. 5 computers on a 100mbit network = 20mbits of bandwidth for each computer.
5 computers on a switch have 100mbit to each other at any one time.

Switches also have the benefit of being able to host 10mbit computers/devices, while maintaining 100mbit connections between other computers.