Hub or Switch?

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Hub or Switch?

simon14

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#202077 15-Sep-2016 22:03

WIFI in my office at home is not so great (an only get about 5 to 10mbps from my 50mbps vdsl connection).

I'd rather go with ethernet as i also game in the office. I will run an ethernet cable but need to connect 3 computers/ps4 via ethernet.

What do i need on the other end of the ethernet cable in the office? A hub or a switch? I'm confused!

Or can i use the spare 4 port VDSL router i have as a hub or switch? (HG659)

macuser

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#1631372 15-Sep-2016 22:17

Something like this will do the job.

You want a switch, there is no reason to buy a hub anymore, old technology (they're functionally similar but technically different)

simon14

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#1631392 15-Sep-2016 23:02

macuser:

Something like this will do the job.

You want a switch, there is no reason to buy a hub anymore, old technology (they're functionally similar but technically different)

That's looks good, thanks - not a bad price either.

rfdawn

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#1631393 15-Sep-2016 23:05

If you really want to use the HG659, you could use it as an inner router connected via ethernet to your current (ISP?) router.

The HG659 must be configured as if for UFB connection via its WAN port, leaving its other 4 ports for your devices.

You do end up with a two-level network and the inner network must be configured with a different IP range.

The two layers of address translation can also confuse dynamic DNS and maybe other things as it becomes more difficult to figure out what your "real" IP address is now.

OTOH you do get two layers of firewalling (hopefully from different vendors) to confuse the wily hacker

Jase2985

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#1631402 15-Sep-2016 23:17

rfdawn: If you really want to use the HG659, you could use it as an inner router connected via ethernet to your current (ISP?) router. The HG659 must be configured as if for UFB connection via its WAN port, leaving its other 4 ports for your devices. You do end up with a two-level network and the inner network must be configured with a different IP range. The two layers of address translation can also confuse dynamic DNS and maybe other things as it becomes more difficult to figure out what your "real" IP address is now. OTOH you do get two layers of firewalling (hopefully from different vendors) to confuse the wily hacker .

why make it way more complicated than it needs to be?

buy a 5+port switch and be done with it, involves pluging in the power and the network cables, as opposed to all the extra fiddling round to may your idea work.

Dratsab

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#1631447 16-Sep-2016 07:11

rfdawn: If you really want to use the HG659, you could use it as an inner router connected via ethernet to your current (ISP?) router.
The HG659 must be configured as if for UFB connection via its WAN port, leaving its other 4 ports for your devices.
You do end up with a two-level network and the inner network must be configured with a different IP range.
The two layers of address translation can also confuse dynamic DNS and maybe other things as it becomes more difficult to figure out what your "real" IP address is now.
OTOH you do get two layers of firewalling (hopefully from different vendors) to confuse the wily hacker.

You're right, you COULD use it as you describe but it's an exceptionally complicated way to go about the simple task the OP is looking to achieve.

marlinz

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#1631448 16-Sep-2016 07:15

what macuser said

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Sideface

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#1631533 16-Sep-2016 09:10

K.I.S.S.

Any gigabit switch will do the job

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trig42

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#1631543 16-Sep-2016 09:38

Can you even get Hubs anymore?

simon14

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#1631595 16-Sep-2016 10:35

Thanks guys

simon14

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#1631794 16-Sep-2016 14:28

One more question - from PB tehc, what type of ethernet cable should i get?

i need 10M ethernet but they have heaps of different types - cat 6, cat5e patchlead, cat5e ethernet...

what is the diff? :)

rfdawn

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#1631806 16-Sep-2016 14:44

DIfference between cat5e and cat6 is theoretical speed rating over 100m length. Over 10m, both can do way over 1 Gb/s which is all the devices will handle. "Ethernet" or "patch" are the same thing but avoid "crossover". Pick on price or color.

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simon14

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#1631818 16-Sep-2016 15:10

rfdawn: DIfference between cat5e and cat6 is theoretical speed rating over 100m length. Over 10m, both can do way over 1 Gb/s which is all the devices will handle. "Ethernet" or "patch" are the same thing but avoid "crossover". Pick on price or color.

Thanks for this.

What does cross over cable do anyway?

richms

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#1631819 16-Sep-2016 15:16

simon14:

What does cross over cable do anyway?

In the really old days of 100 and 10 megabit networks, they were used to connect 2 computers or whatever dirtectly together by swapping the recieve and transmit lines around. No use now with gigabit using all 4 both ways so it all just works out, and things will also work it out on the low speed modes. Using a crossover for gigabit will at best still work, at worst get you a 100 meg link.

Richard rich.ms

ghettomaster

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#1631821 16-Sep-2016 15:18

In short, a crossover cable allows you to connect two PCs directly to each other, avoiding the need for a switch in a two machine network.

Is there a reason you do not want to simply use the router as your switch? If the majority of your traffic is going to be internet traffic anyway this should be fine. If you are planning to move data between your machines regularly, a switch could be a better way to go.

richms

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#1631822 16-Sep-2016 15:21

ghettomaster:

Is there a reason you do not want to simply use the router as your switch? If the majority of your traffic is going to be internet traffic anyway this should be fine. If you are planning to move data between your machines regularly, a switch could be a better way to go.

Probably to avoid running multiple cables to the office? I have many switches around the house because its easier than taking everything back to the closet with the big switch in it.

Richard rich.ms