[RESOLVED] Increasing network size

[CDL]

Hello all, have a quick question. We're getting
ready to increase our network size, the problem is
that we have 2 8 port hubs, and a 4 port DSL router. They're full but for 1 port and anything plugged into that port runs terribly slow. I'm assuming it's because of the hubs being possibly just too overloaded. Anyone have any suggestions on a good way to go to maintain speed, clean up some space, and maybe double the ports, beyond just adding another uplinked 8 port hub?

Thanks all.

[MacGyver]

Replace your hubs with switches. A switch does the same thing as a hub, except that the data is routed to specific ports instead of being broadcast to every port and discarded by those computers not involved in that data request. Much faster and efficient.

BTW, how many network connections do you have?

[CDL]

about 16, getting ready to install another 3 though. I'd rather just get larger instead of just patching it up a step.

[Fierce]

Agree with Mac...go with a switch, and find a 24 port 10/100 autosensing switch...minimum! Good Luck!

[CDL]

Thanks, gonna see if I can find one and talk the big guy into buying it.

[EvilCabbage]

I dont know what sort of budget you are working on, but I strongly recommend Netgear products at the home & small business section of the price range. I have never had any dramas with their gear, and their tech support is excellent too.

If they want to spend big $$$ though, Cisco switches are beyond compare. Really lovely pieces of gear.

[silencio]

You can find incredible deals on Cisco switches on ebay. Last year I picked up two upgraded 2600s and 4 2900s for the price of one 2600.

They're only worth about $40 US now but that's beside the point. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

[EvilCabbage]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by iateyourcat:
<strong>You can find incredible deals on Cisco switches on ebay. Last year I picked up two upgraded 2600s and 4 2900s for the price of one 2600.

They're only worth about $40 US now but that's beside the point. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Groovy! Gotta be happy with that :)

[FatalException0E]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by iateyourcat:
<strong>You can find incredible deals on Cisco switches on ebay. Last year I picked up two upgraded 2600s and 4 2900s for the price of one 2600.

They're only worth about $40 US now but that's beside the point. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">I have Cisco token ring router gathering dust in my closet. Care to relieve me of it? :D

[silencio]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by FatalException0E:
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by iateyourcat:
<strong>You can find incredible deals on Cisco switches on ebay. Last year I picked up two upgraded 2600s and 4 2900s for the price of one 2600.

They're only worth about $40 US now but that's beside the point. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">I have Cisco token ring router gathering dust in my closet. Care to relieve me of it? :D </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">What's Token Ring? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Do you work for Michaels? They had an abundance of token ring routers.

[Mauser]

Agree with Mac. Go with the switches. Better speed management.

[silencio]

One note, when it comes to security, if you have a hub in the dirty DMZ (the DMZ in front of any firewalls) a compromized machine in that dirty DMZ is capable of capturing any traffic flowing into your network if you run a hub there. Hubs forward all traffic to every port. A port capturing all traffic (like a compromized quake server) can capture all traffic destined for your entire network (DMZ and your inside network).

If you don't know what I'm talking about, consult a security expert... because you need one.