How can I get the fastest transfer speeds over my network from one computer to another. I am needing to be able to use my full network speed (currently only 100mbit cards) when backing up my computer to another computer. When I use smb, I don't seem to get above 30mbit/sec according to networking tab on task man. And when I use ftp (serv-u server and flashfxp client) I only get up to 3mbytes/sec. I would like to be able to use smb because of it's speed in processing files, because none of my files are compressed, I usually transfer my whole desktop folder over. Right now I have WRT54G. Both computers plugged in via ethernet.

Don't ever expect full 100Mbit/sec bandwidth from 10/100. You can get higher than 30Mbit/sec using better quality switches, but if you truly want better bandwidth, your only real option is move to gigabit. That would involve a gigabit switch, and gigabit cards for each machine you require this speed. Also, keep in mind each machine must be fast enough to process traffic gigabit provides in order for it to be worth it. One last thing to consider, I noticed you mentioned... "I usually transfer my whole desktop folder over." Sounds like your files are all stored on local machines on which they were created. Why not deploy a file server and remap your home directories to that? Then, only small chunks of traffic is used at a time (when accessing or saving the file), and you only need to perform regular backups of that server locally instead of multiple computers remotely. "Milk was a bad choice!"

Also, keep in mind each machine must be fast enough to process traffic gigabit provides in order for it to be worth it. Most cards work sepratly from the computers processor

That's actually not true. Most don't. And regardless, your CPU still gets involved when storing it to the hard drive, etc. Please help survivors of Hurricane Katrina! www.redcross.org