Hardware for Networking

[Masterfinn 0]

I want to set up my home network. Right now im just using a basic hub that sucks, and I want to improve it. I was woundering about:

 

Routers

Switches

Hubs

Gateways

 

I was just woundering the full potential of each, and what the disadvantages/advantages of each, or the differences. This way i know which to get for my home network. I have three computers, one laser printer i would like to share, and a scanner. Also be able to see another computer in my network to share files.(with the hub i have now i cant do that).

 

Thanx,

 

Masterfinn

[CUViper 0]

Hubs and Switches basically perform the same function - they provide the basic link between computers on a local network. The difference is that a 100Mbps hub can only have 100Mbps of total traffic passing through it at any time. On the other hand, a 100Mbps switch can have a full 100Mbps on EACH port, which makes for a more efficient network. This is because hubs broadcast all traffic to every port, so everyone is always sharing throughput. A switch "routes" the traffic to only the port that the destination is on, so it is able to give everyone their own 100Mbps link. And on a security note, packet sniffers don't work very well on a switched network, because any computer should only see it's own traffic, whereas the hub's broadcasting lets a packet sniffer pick up ALL traffic on the LAN.

 

Routers and Gateways are used as intermediaries between two different networks. This may be a link between a LAN and the Internet, or a link between different parts of the Internet, or whatever. I can't think of a good way to distinguish between routers and gateways though, because they are basically the same thing.

[Davros 0]

Gateways provied an interface between different network architectures. For example they can connect an ethernet network to a token ring network. It's like a translator.

[clutch 1]

Quote:

Gateways provied an interface between different network architectures. For example they can connect an ethernet network to a token ring network. It's like a translator.

...while a router is used to distinguish between different segments of a similar network protocol (IP, IPX come to mind). Most of the time, when you see a device at Best Buy or some other electronics store listed as a "gateway", it's actually a router with NAT functionality. A traditional gateway is more inline with Davros's definition; it can connect dissimilar network topologies as well as (my memory is a bit fuzzy on this) dissimilar protocols.

[Masterfinn 0]

OK OK So a routher/gateway connects all sorts of networks together, and those networks are made up of say a bunch of computers hooked up using switchs or hubs right??.......So whats the difference then in say hooking three computers to a switch connected to the internet, or haveing those three computers hooked to a router/gateway connected to the net? what would be more ideal for my home network with my three computers, printer, and scanner?

 

Thanx,

 

Masterfinn

[AndyFair 0]

OK, lets get back to basics here - you say your hub "sucks" - why? You also say:

Quote:

Also be able to see another computer in my network to share files.(with the hub i have now i cant do that).

This seems to suggest that there are problems with the way your network is set up - file sharing is nothing to do with the hub, it's part of the operating system, and upgrading the hub to a switch won't help that at all.

 

If you have 3 PCs on your network, at 100Mbps even at max throughput for each PC, that's still 33Mbps per PC (remember that an ADSL connection only works at 512Kbps or 1Mbps, and a modem operates at 56Kbps) - which is more than enough capacity. (OK, I know this is overly simplistic, but I am trying to keep this easy on the brain )

 

Upgrading to a switch will mean that each PC will connect at 100Mbps (or 200Mbps if you get a switch capable of full duplex operation) - but if all you're doing is sharing files and printers, most of that capacity will be wasted and sitting idle.

 

In terms of a router, there is nothing to stop you using one of your PCs as a gateway for Internet connection - it's cheaper than buying a router, the only problem being that you'd have to leave the PC on all the time and make sure you are properly firewalled. You don't have to worry so much with a router, but they are more expensive and more complicated to set up properly.

 

 

I think you need to go back and take a look at the way your network is set up, because if it's set up properly you shouldn't be experiencing speed problems with only 3 PCs connected.

 

Rgds

AndyF

[Masterfinn 0]

Ok ya,

My first configuration for my home network was:

- all three computers connected to the hub which was then connected to the internet. With this i couldnt share files, or printers, etc.. so i changed it to waht i have now.. which is:

- two computers hoooked into the hub which is then hooked to the third computer which is also connected to the net. With this way i can share files, and printers and stuff, and is working great, but i just have to keep that one computer on all the time, and i dotn think its securely firewalled.( i just have a norton firewall program protecting it).

 

I was just woundering about Routers and Switchs to see if there was a way i could set up my network a better or more efficient way.

 

So with a router i could have all three computers connected to it which is then connected to the net, and i could also share files etc right?. But i know with a hub if i try to connect all three computers to it then out to the net, sure i can get internet access on all three, but i wouldnt be able to share files, etc.... which was were i had promlems with my first configuration.

 

I know routers are expencive, and it looks like if i do want to change how i have my set up i ll have to get one. But i dont know what im going to do right now. Thats why i posted this post, cause i wanted to see the differance and stuff of all those networking gear out there. I might end up jsut keeping it the way i have it now, but.... like i say i dont know yet.

 

Masterfinn