100-base-T is 100 megabits/second versus 10mb/sec for 10-base-T.
That is, it is potientially 10 times as fast. In practical
terms, over 100baseT your network disappears. Almost - there
are still negotiation delays and the TCP/IP or Netbeui protocol
overheads that add their share. Probably invisible on
todays screamers, but not on my old junk <G>.
What you want to watch out for is mixing 10 and 100 cards.
The true switching hubs (technically bridging hubs) are
pricier than the 10/100 hubs which are all one way or
all the other.
You can get a genuine switching hub (8 port) for around
$400. YOu can find hubs with (say) two 10 and 4 100 ports
for about $100 less. You can get 4-port 10 or 100 hubs
(either way, but not both together) for about $80 if you
watch the sales.
Netgear has a 4-port 10/100 which I bought for $79, took
home, and discovered as we have now learned it was AC or
DC but no swinger.
I just saw an 8-port Netgear genuine bridging 10/100 hub
(stackable 5 deep, meaning you can stack 5 together
and go up to 40 ports total) for $399 from PC Connection
(800-800-5555 - www.pcconnection.com). I have not personally
dealt with them, but I've just read in three disparate
places that they are tops in customer service and satisfaction
(PC World, PC Mag, and Inc. Magazine). Netgear and Linksys
to my mind are the best solid values on the market - both
these companies make good stuff. Lot's of others do too
(3Com, Intel, for instance),
but pricier for features and performance, or so I read.
If you're putting it all together from scratch, you can get
away with 100 base-T, BUT you have to be able to bridge
withing your computer system for network connections.
You can't flow a 10-base-T eithernet link through a
100 MB hub. So if you have (say) a printer with a
10-base-T card you have to have a bridging 10/100 hub.
(For printers there are also other hubs alternatives -
this is just a general statement.)
Linksys sells a kit with a 100mb hub and two PCI 100-base-T
cards for about $180, I think. Last I checked. These prices
are dropping like mad too.
Spots
PS. I said 100baseT above, but the current protocol is
100baseTX, which is NOT wire-to-wire compatible with the older
100baseT. However, if you go buy cards (instead of being like
me and already own them) you will only find TX nowadays. |
