A network with more than one computer is likely to use a hub or switch. While a modem and router control access to the Internet, hubs and switches link computers within part of a network, for example a home LAN. The role played by a hub or switch can be simple — as easy as buying a hub and a cable, and plugging them in. However there are other options; this document will help you choose which you need.

Even in simple networks there are often a couple computers, a gaming console, and a resource such as a printer that everyone wants to use. A hub or switch can connect them. If a router is added, too, then the devices connected by the hub may each access the Internet. With the falling prices of switches, the better performing switches are now offered at a small or even no premium above the older hub products.

An advantage of hubs is they require almost no installation at all. Many TVs are more complicated to set up. Of course, each of the computers and gaming devices may still need to be configured to talk to the Internet — a hub can't do away with that chore.

The great disadvantage of hubs is that the devices using them all share the same bandwidth. The more devices, and the more traffic trying to share the network, the slower it gets. If just one or two people occasionally read their email, a hub may suit your network needs. If three people play online games at the same time you're trying to print a large document from work, you'll want to consider a switch.

The more expensive hubs support the far faster 100 Mbps transfer rate, but all the adapters, routers, etc. on your network have to support that speed. Otherwise, you'll have the normal 10 Mbps — still fast enough for most home use.

Switches don't force all network devices to share the same bandwidth. If you're sending a job to the networked printer, and three people are playing online Internet games, you won't see any performance drop on account of them. And they won't be slowed down by your printing. The inexpensive NETGEAR FS605 switch is only $10 more than the cheapest hub. Switches require additional setup. However, for the low-end switches, that's not much. Examining this home switch comparison page, you'll see that the choices among home switches are similar to those for the hubs: your selection will be on the basis of speed, and number of devices that can connect to the switch.

If you're going beyond these basic home switches, it will be because:

• Your network has (or will have over the next year) more than 16 devices. In your count include: computers, gaming consoles, printers, FAX machines, wireless access points, routers, etc.
• You want ultra-fast 1000 Mbps speed.
• You want to monitor and log traffic going through the switch.
• You want to control what each device going through the switch can access.

The intermediate switches are not necessarily expensive — the FS526T is the cost of a medium quality printer. They're described on the rack mountable switch comparison page.

The highest end switches are enormously capable, but with features and a price making them most suitable for medium and large-size businesses. These switches are suitable for the largest business environment, and would be maintained by a professional network administrator.

If you're unsure where to start, get a hub or switch with a few more ports than you think you'll need soon, and a few features more than your network uses now. If you'd like more selection help, browse the "How To" on the main NETGEAR page, or feel free to download the product documentation. The Installation Guide and User Manuals are available by clicking support on any of the product pages. The documentation is available in the download section on the right.

Doc: N101251.asp Aug. 25, 2005