A hub forms the core of a network segment (physical) and subnet
(logical).  A router typically joins two or more segments/subnets to
form an internetwork.  Hubs work primarily at layer 2, and routers
primarily at layer 3.
  With only three nodes, a router does seem like overkill.  You might
see some slight reduction in collisions -- and thus, improvement in
network throughput -- if the hub is replaced by a small switch, but
I'd be surprised if you actually see enough benefit to justify the
price.
  If your NICs are 10/100 Mbps, and your current hub only supports 10
Mbps, you may see worthwhile improvement for limited expenditure by
going to an affordable 10/100 hub instead.

David Gillett
A+, MCSE, CCNA


On 27 May 2001, at 23:48, jimx9 wrote:

> My brother and I are trying to upgrade our network system.  We have
> three computers hooked via a hub.  We mainly use the network for
> lan gaming.  I always thought a router was more for sharing a
> connection amongst the machines - like a cable modem connection or
> dsl; a hub was mainly for what we have set up now.  Which is better
> for our purpose - and which is faster?  Advantages vs.
> disadvantages...
> Thanks,
> James M. Esham

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