Would I be gaining noticeable improvement if I use switches instead of hub?

Question

My office has a small network with 6 workstation, 1 main application server, 2 other computers, and 2 HP DirectJet for printers.
Network has one Linksys router, 3 hubs.
If I were to change the hubs to switches, would I see a noticeable jump in the speed when most of the workstations are communicating with either router for internet or the main server for application database?

Answer 1

If you're running a regular 100Mbit Cat. 5 ethernet LAN and you're experiencing lower-than-expected performance in an environment like that, then chances are that your hubs are responsible. Transmission-heavy networks using hubs can, even with as few as 10 nodes can be limited to as little as 40-50% of the rated throughput of the network due to collisions and excessive queuing.

If you microsegment your LAN using switches, you will definitely see smooth performance, though whether or not it would be smoother than you have now depends entirely on the load your network is under.

Answer 2

Switches don't get smarter and enterprise class routers aren't needed in someone's home.

Let's break it down to the very basics: A hub shares total bandwidth among devices on your network. A switch provides full bandwidth communication between 2 devices on your network. Hubs were once the more common of the two, but that largely had to do with the cost of switches initially.

Hubs also send their packets through every single port, which can cause packet collisions, thereby reducing the smooth traffic flow. A switch allows communication only through the target ports. Example: Packets sent to Port 3 from Port 5 only travel that way..3 to 5, 5 to 3 (not 3 to 1, 3 to 2, 3 to 4, etc.) This alone can greatly increase the network performance.

Chances are, you will experience some network performance by dumping all of the hubs and setting up switches, especially if you're transfering large files (Even when printing...spooled documents can get big fast). Plus, given that you have an application server you want and need to have the largest communication pipe available between your machines and the server at all times.

Answer 3

It depends upon the total network load. For internet access, you won't notice any difference at all. However if your application database is a bandwidth hog, and / or if you are sending lots of large print jobs to the printers you may notice a significant improvement even on a small network such as yours.

Please ignore the guy below me here -- he doesn't know what he's talking about. "Commerical grade" routers cost in the thousands -- and don't include lots of switch ports. Most only have one LAN port and leave it up to you to buy switches as needed.

Answer 4

It depends on the type of sharing and communication going on between those systems. The switch gets smarter over time because it doesn't blast the same packets to ports where it has learned over time aren't the right path for a given server. You might be really surprised on the speed difference, especially if you are using a 10Mb hub.

Answer 5

I would have to say get a commercial grade router! Forget the switches and hubs altogether! Sounds like your router simply doesnt have enough ports! You could also try a wireless router to get around these problems but this would definitely decrease your security.

Answer 6

I would stay with your regular router, once your business / office gets bigger (25 -?) computers then get some switches.