Which hub can i use to make a LAN for 20 computers?

Question

i need the specific hub no which i can use for these type of network and i also want to know if i have 2 similar type of lan with same topology then how can i connect those 2 LAN .? which switch do i need??

Answer 1

Paul W - WRONG!

You only need to use a router when you want to connect to a wide area network (WAN) or if you need some special function such as DHCP from a bump on the network. A lot of different "things" can provide the ancillary services that a router can supply, such as a Windows 2003 server. The primary purpose of a router is to connect two different layer 3 (i.e. IP) networks together, usually changing the layer 2 (Ethernet to T1/E1 for example) topology in the process.

If all you want to do is connect 20 computers together on an Ethernet LAN, all using the same IP subnet (192.168.1.xxx), then you can do that with any number of Ethernet hub/switches on the market. Netgear has a 24 port unmanaged switch that will do the job of connecting 20 PCs together in a single IP domain - http://www.netgear.com/Products/Switches/UnmanagedSwitches/JFS524.aspx

Bottom line, there aren't any vendors out there making "hubs" anymore. You might be able to buy an old Cabletron or 3Com or BayNetworks hub off ebay for little money - but then a new switch from Netgear or Linksys or even Cisco probably isn't much more money.

The silicon used to make these devices are all "switched" now.

If you want your other network to be in a different IP subnet, then you need to use a router to connect them together. You can also use 802.1VLANs (layer 2 based VPNs) to segregate your traffic without messing with IP at all - in that case you will want a managed switch vs unmanaged.

Answer 2

Connecting up 20 computers to a hub is not recommeded.

The reason is that if a hub If the hub fails then everything connected to it is down. A hub is usally only for a star network.

A router is a better choice.

For joining two LANS of similar topology you can use a network bridge if the LANS are in the same location. Otherwise use a VPN tunnel if the two LANS you want to join are far away from each other.

Answer 3

you must use a switch not hub since switches are faster than hubs. you can have 2 switches for 2 LANS and these switches can be connected. but be sure to have the sufficient number of ports in your switch to accommodate hte PCs.

Answer 4

I think you must use the D-Link (if available in your area) 30 ports HUB.
it speeds at 100 mbps. it will work for you..

or alternately you can use for better performance the "Gigabit Lan" at 1000 mbps (bit expensive but worth in use)...

Answer 5

go for a 3com about 800 clams but really worth it