Routers, Hubs, and Switches... Oh MY!

nebagakidnebagakid
Posted:
in General Discussion edited January 2014
Ohkay, so, I am in the mood to purchase either a Router, Hub, or a Switch.



\tIf I wanted to add to the number of ethernet ports (currently, there is only one and I would like to expand it) available on a DHCP network, which one would I buy? <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" /> :confused: <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" /> <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" /> <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" />

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 6
    screedscreed Posts: 1,077member
    Unless you are connecting to some external network (such a broadband connection) a router isn't necessary.



    The difference between the remaining two is how the traffic is handled. Hubs share their bandwidth, switches have dedicated bandwidth. So on a 10Mbit hub with three devices connected, each device can peak at 3.3Mbit.



    However, unless you're streaming DVD quality MPEG4 video both ways you're never going to hit the peaks either in a shared or dedicated network.



    To add to the number of ports? Meaning the one on your computer?



    Screed



    [ 10-08-2002: Message edited by: sCreeD ]</p>
  • Reply 2 of 6
    nebagakidnebagakid Posts: 2,692member
    well, this is for a school, and in each room there are two ethernet ports. They need to add two more because they are adding two iMacs (350Mhz) to some of them. They asked me to help.



    They are art department so they do not know much about it. Yes, they would need to connect out to the internet and they are on a DHCP server.... so, a router?



    (i want to get the lowest cost so they could still have enough money in budget for an upgrade (hardware and software) to Mac OS X
  • Reply 3 of 6
    catalystcatalyst Posts: 226member
    well you sound like you simply need a hub, since you probably already have an administered network.
  • Reply 4 of 6
    wmfwmf Posts: 1,164member
    Don't buy a hub; switches are just as cheap.
  • Reply 5 of 6
    serranoserrano Posts: 1,806member
    [quote]Originally posted by Nebagakid:

    <strong>They asked me to help.</strong><hr></blockquote>



    Why?





  • Reply 6 of 6
    nebagakidnebagakid Posts: 2,692member
    [quote]Originally posted by serrano:

    <strong>



    Why?





    </strong><hr></blockquote>



    Amazingly enough, I am the person with the most Mac (and nestled in mac networking) knowledge, i mean, there are many people who do PCs, but I bet i am the only person at the school would could zap PRAM without getting confused.... <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" /> <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" />
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