Hi, I've been asked to set up a network for a small office with 10 computers. I'm trying to figure out the best way to go about this. There will be a server and 10 workstations. I could just use 2 hubs, but I think I'd rather use a switch. I don't have much experience installing networks (just fixing them) so I want to know which configuration would be the best. 1. 2 x 8 port hubs connected to each other 2. 1 switch connected to 2 hubs and the server connected to the switch (I don't even know if this will actually work but it seems like the best one to me) 3. 2 or 3 switches connected to each other. These are some ideas I had, I want to know if #2 is possible because it seems like the best solution, any suggestions welcome. Thanks. Matt

Hi Matt, I would recommend using a switch rather than hubs with the server and the 10 PC's. I have a network with multiple switches and servers and it is far faster using switches and secondly minimise the number of hops improves the network performance. Get a 16 port switch and plug them all into it. If you need any further help then e-mail me: dave@dhenderson.co.uk

I hate to differ but realistically with a 10 client network you won't see any performance increases in a switch over a hub. I've tested both hubs and switches in large and small environments and the only real benefits of a switch over a hub are found in larger environments. Dave is right about using one hub/switch. With that small a network it makes no sense to use more than one hub/switch.

Curt, At what stage (no. of clients) would you recommend a switch instead of a hub?

When you hit the "saturation point". In english, when the number of clients and traffic they generate causes enough collisions to impair network bandwidth and slow things down on your network. Ideally there's no set point or number of computers. Mostly it depends on the amount of data going through your transmission media. 10 clients won't generate enough collisions to slow things down unless they're all transferring say, streaming video, 24 hr's a day. Regular client use of the network involves periodic bursts of traffic, so there's generally no major problem with network slow down until you have enough clients accessing the network at the same time to cause "too many" collisions and slow things down.

I agree, there will be no noticible performance increase from switching. I would however recommend that you purchase a single hub to handle your connections. You should be able to purchase a 12 of 16 port hub (100BaseT) for about $40 retail. Just check to ensure the NIC cards in the PC's support the fact ethernet standard or are at the very least marked "10/100". Hope this helps, Don

I set up our network as follows: 1 x 8 port hub connecting the server and a few machines to the network. 1 x 16 port hub on the other side of the office connected to the other hub with more machines connected, to minimise cabling, and to allow more leeway with the network. We currently have 14 machines connected up with no noticable loss of performance. Chances are the users wouldnt notice a difference if there was one.