Simply put... Data flows through a hub at the rate of the slowest NIC 
(Network card). Data on a network with 10 Mb cards AND 100 Mb cards will 
flow at 10 Mb... With a switch, data will flow between the 100 Mb cards at 
100 Mb and between the 10 Mb cards at 10 Mb.

A switch actually does lots more, especially if it is a "manageble" switch, 
but it doesn't sound like you need (or want) to know about that right now. 
Why make your head hurt for nothing?

Brian D. McCarthy


>From: Greg Purvis <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Personal Computer Hardware discussion List              
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] AMBRA 486 Computer
>Date: Tue, 26 Sep 2006 14:32:50 -0400
>
>Hi
>
>I'm not sure I understand enough about the 'switch' you mentioned.
>
>I use a Netgear router, is that what you mean by a hub?  I think what 
>you're saying is that a switch is something other than a hub (maybe like 
>Laplink, computer-to-computer)?  Or is a switch found in certain types of 
>routers -- or is a switch some type of physical adaptor?
>
>I'm probably over-complicating things as usual.  Maybe you're simply 
>advising me that if I'm using a router, I can expect slower transfer speeds 
>between any other, newer, computer and the Ambra with the older and slower 
>ISA card.  (In that event, how might that transfer rate compare to that of 
>data moving to and from a 3.5 floppy drive?)
>
>Thanks again.
>
>Greg P.
>
>
>David Gillett wrote:
>>[snip]
>>
>>   Oh, also:  The ISA bus never had the bandwidth to support 100 Mbps 
>>Ethernet, so all ISA Ethernet cards will be 10 Mbps only.  If you have a 
>>*switch*, this shouldn't be an issue, but if you're trying to use a hub, 
>>this may require your other machines to only speak 10 Mbps as well.
>>
>>
>
>                         PCBUILD's List Owners:
>                      Bob Wright<[log in to unmask]>
>                       Drew Dunn<[log in to unmask]>

                         PCBUILD's List Owners:
                      Bob Wright<[log in to unmask]>
                       Drew Dunn<[log in to unmask]>