[NTLUG:Discuss] New findings on cable modem issue

[Kenneth Loafman]

> Patrick Parks wrote:
> 
> On 17 Aug 2001 11:48:56 +0000, Kenneth Loafman wrote:
> 
> > Here's one thing to try.  Some hubs/switches are not compatible with
> > all NIC's.  Surprise, but its true.
> 
> Ok, I am willind to  go tet a 10/100 Sitch or hub, I have been
> wanting to upgrade my hub anyway. I am a little confused, which
> should I get,a switch or hub? Whats  the difference between the two?
> I went to Comp USA page, and there is a 5 port switch, and there is
> also a 5 port hub, and they are around the same price. I did not
> notice if the switch had a uplink port for my cable modem, doe this
> matter? Thanks.

A hub will operate at the lowest common speed, so if you have a 10mbs
cable modem and a couple of 100mbs computers, the hub will slow things
down to 10mbs (if the cable modem is active at the time).  A switch
operates at the best speed possible, so your two 100mbs computers will
talk back and forth at 100mbs, while the cable modem will still only
talk at 10mbs.

...Ken