Would like advice if a switch would improve my network

[JCROCCO]

I would really appreciate soemone more knowledgeble than me to suggest wether a swich as opposed to the hub we have would help improve our network.

I have:

6 computers (Win XP Pro with 100 baseT nic's at now half duplex, and NTFS file system)
1 netopia (R7100) router (at 10 baseT)
1 etherfast 10/100 printer server (EPSX3 linksys)
1 plotter using a 10baset jetdirect print server
1 snap server storage drive (on lan, supports 10/100)

all 6 computers use the snap server to get their data from, and all use the printers and plotter and are all connected to the web via router.

My question is, would there be an advantage to have a non-managed switch, and if so, on all, or should the computers all be on the hub, and then the hub and everthing else to a switch or what else would be better.

Also, would the computers be able to go to full deplex mode, and if so, would that help at all?

Thank you in advance.

 

[spidey07]

yes. absolutely. positively. I concur. Without a doubt. Most certainly. yeah. Ja. Si. For sure.

The year is 2004 - get a 10/100 switch.
🙂

 

[AFB]

Originally posted by: spidey07
yes. absolutely. positively. I concur. Without a doubt. Most certainly. yeah. Ja. Si. For sure.

The year is 2004 - get a 10/100 switch.
🙂

I agree, with that many computers and stuff, it could help.

 

[cmetz]

JCROCCO, maybe it will help. However, a 12 or 16 port switch should cost you like $50ish these days (check out the Newegg Amigo/3Net 24 port, $68 shipped I believe) - it's cheap enough that you shouldn't need to worry about it much, just try it and see. The other thing a switch can do for you that might be more helpful is that it can isolate faults. One bad station, one bad cable, on a hub network and you can jam it up for everyone. I've seen it happen. Put in a switch, problem goes away.

An 8 port switch would cover your 6 PCs, snap server, and an uplink to your old hub. Those are so cheap it's probably costing more in man time to even ask this question than to just go buy one.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: spidey07
yes. absolutely. positively. I concur. Without a doubt. Most certainly. yeah. Ja. Si. For sure.

The year is 2004 - get a 10/100 switch.
🙂

LOL. Nah this time I am not going to invoke the ScottMac link. :beer: 😀

And we have new citation. (Spidey, 2004). :clock: :camera:

 

[martind1]

no big deal, either hub or switch will work in your situation. IF you are a buying a new one. a switch might help if you find too much traffic/collisions with a hub.

but if you are buying new, a switch most likely will be about the same in cost, so you might as well buy one to prepare for the future lan needs.

 

[sharq]

Considering that you can get wired routers for around $10-20 after or before rebates nowadays, I would say go ahead look for a deal (AT hotdeals forum) and get a cheap 4 port wired router, set it up as a switch. I find switches are better than hubs if you have alot of traffic on your network.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: JackMDS

Originally posted by: spidey07
yes. absolutely. positively. I concur. Without a doubt. Most certainly. yeah. Ja. Si. For sure.

The year is 2004 - get a 10/100 switch.
🙂

LOL. Nah this time I am not going to invoke the ScottMac link. :beer: 😀

And we have new citation. (Spidey, 2004). :clock: :camera:

😉

 

[JCROCCO]

This is an existing network, with 2 - 6 port hubs.

Need advice as to a switch for all 10, or leave the computers on the hubs, and everything else on the switch.

Want to confirm that if the computers are on the switch, and have the ability to be full duplex, would that speed up the network. This is a bigger concern for backup purposes.

Do full duplex computer at 100baseT really be running 200mbps?

 

[spidey07]

get the switch. You won't believe the increase in performance you will see, especially if you have two hubs strung together like that.

I predict something on the order of 5-8 times faster. All computers should be on a single switch if you can.

-ps- hubs were dead technology before the year 2000. 🙂

 

[mboy]

Hub is only good if you need to sniff traffic and can't afford layer 3 switch (like me). Othwerwise, no reason to get a hub when switches are even cheaper now.
Check hot deals, you can get 8 port switches for $10 after rebate on a good week.