[X4U] Ethernet hub recommendations?

[Zane H. Healy]

>I would look into Netgear. I too, had an XSense M120, that Iupdated 
>to the equivalent of an M130 via firmware upgrade several years ago. 
>However, it became unreliable. I saw a number of recommendations for 
>Netgear on a list (maybe this one, I don'tremember...).

I've been told by our Network Admin at work that Netgear products 
don't provide the best speed.  I know I'm quite happy with the 10/100 
Linksys/Cisco switch I bought last August, it provides far better 
speeds than my old 10/100 Netgear switch.  In fact with a small file 
I got 11 MB/Sec last night (1 byte = 8 bits, so 100Mbit / 8bits = 
12.5MB/Sec)

One thing I would do is to get more ports than you think you need. 
I've had major issues over the years with dead ports on my Switches. 
I replaced the Netgear because half the ports were dead.  The 10/100 
Intel switch I replaced it with got so that it wouldn't reliably 
handle 10Mbit connections (that was a nightmare to troubleshoot), and 
had dead ports.

Something else to consider might be a Gigabit capable switch, as 
they've really come down in price, though I don't know if anyone 
makes a Gigabit router/firewall/switch device at this point.  I opted 
not to get a Gigabit switch when I bought my last one, as I only have 
one Gigabit capable system at the moment, and I needed a 16-port 
switch.  Once I get another Gigabit capable system I'll get a Gigabit 
switch and plug it into the 10/100 switch.

			Zane

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| Zane H. Healy                    | UNIX Systems Administrator |
| healyzh at aracnet.com (primary)    | OpenVMS Enthusiast         |
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