Router, Switch, or Hub?

Raistlin · 29-06-2007, 16:24

Hey Guys,

I need to connect together two computers via Ethernet.

Both computers have already got IP fixed addresses, neither computer has a requirement to connect to the internet. The only connection needed is between the two computers.

One machine is addressed 192.168.1.100, the other will be 192.168.1.104. These addresses are fixed and *cannot* be changed.

I may want to add additional machines at a later date, but these will always have fixed IP addresses that don't conflict with any other machine, there will be no requirement for DHCP addressing.

So, do I need a Router, a Switch, or a Hub?

Nikesh · 29-06-2007, 16:30

I think you just need a hub.

Graham M · 29-06-2007, 16:34

As long as they have no need to connect to the Net a hub will do but you NEED to give them all static IPs unless you were to set up a DHCP server on one of the PCs. A Switch is a better bet if there was going to be lots of data transfer, and they're incredibly cheap these days.

Raistlin · 29-06-2007, 16:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikesh

I think you just need a hub.

That's what I was hoping (nice and cheap

), but thought I'd check before I stumped up the dosh

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeph

As long as they have no need to connect to the Net a hub will do but you NEED to give them all static IPs unless you were to set up a DHCP server on one of the PCs. A Switch is a better bet if there was going to be lots of data transfer, and they're incredibly cheap these days.

Definitely won't need DHCP on these machines, might be a fair amount of data transfer between them though - I take it a switch will be better for that?

brundles · 29-06-2007, 16:40

Switches will direct the traffic rather than a hub that broadcasts everything to all ports.

Graham M · 29-06-2007, 16:41

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network...bs_vs_switches

The difference between a Hub and a Switch can be found there

Raistlin · 29-06-2007, 16:43

Thanks guys, a switch it is then

Anybody recommend something decent but cheap?

bmxbandit · 29-06-2007, 16:46

a 4 port switch is cheap enough, but why not just buy a crossover cable (couple of quid at most) for now and buy a switch as and when you have more than 2 computers?

Monza · 30-06-2007, 14:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmxbandit

a 4 port switch is cheap enough, but why not just buy a crossover cable (couple of quid at most) for now and buy a switch as and when you have more than 2 computers?

That's what I'd suggest if it's just two pc's connected together, can pick cables up pretty cheap

Raistlin · 30-06-2007, 20:09

Suppose, and no need to buy them either - have a nice reel of Cat5 and some terminators (not the robot kind) upstairs

popper · 30-06-2007, 20:43

two straight CAT5 and a Ã‚Â£1 X-over adaptor work just as well
the main thing about routers ,switch or even the really old hub is the speed it works at, today you should really look at getting 1Gigabit router/switch and a 1Gig NC in each machine so as to make that transfer as fast as you might want in yours to come.

or for just two machines, some cheap Ã‚Â£6 1Gig NC's and an X-over cable or adaptor for now.