Should I use a network hub or network switch?

Question

I want to put a networking device on an Ethernet connection between 2 digital devices. The communication will be 1-to-1; there will only be 2 devices connected through the networking device. And I wont need DHCP or firewalling (for now).

I've already got a network hub, but I've heard that a switch is better, since using a hub means risking packet collisions.

Can I use a network hub to connect my 2 devices, or will I need to use a network switch if I want to avoid collisions? And will a hub give me other trouble that are prevented with a switch?

Solution 1

With just two devices, a hub is sufficient.

When you have just two machines to connect, why the network device? go point-to-point.
I am guessing you want to connect more devices later.
Collisions will matter at that time then (and you cannot go PtP then either).

These days switches and hubs do not have a lot of cost differential.
You might in fact get a switch faster and for about the same price.
Anyway, you have the answer.

Solution 2

I think with just two devices, a cable is sufficient. If none of the devices has Auto-MDIX you'll need a crossover cable.

Solution 3

If you've only got two devices, why not just use a crossover cable? Some ports will even auto-switch Rx & Tx in hardware, meaning you could just use a plain old CAT-5 cable. It's worth trying that first; you may not need to buy anything.

Solution 4

People are correct in saying a hub is sufficient, but give the minor cost difference I would go with a switch. Switches are more efficient when you have multiple device on the network. You might not see any difference now, but it could help in future.

Solution 5

Aight, so the problem here is not "use a box vs. use a crossover cable", it's switch vs. hub, and the answer is always switch when you can afford it. A Hub is always half-duplex, and simply acts as a repeater. The resulting packet collisions, even with only 2 devices, will make it slower than simply using a cable, whereas a switch intelligently directs traffic based on the Ethernet address, and is full duplex, resulting in full speed between any devices on the network at the same time.

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Comments

[raspi]

Where you can even find hubs nowadays? :)

[Admin]

@raspi - I think you can only find new ones if they are surplus. For the most part, the cost to make a switch dropped so much that hubs aren't being made any more. However, that said, if you have one sitting around, why not use it and save the money?

[Martin Bøgelund]

@raspi, I found one in a box in my shed :-)

[Martin Bøgelund]

Yes, you are right in that I might want to connect other devices later. I have the opportunity to get some none-trivial wiring done for free in my house. Splitting it all up with a hub will mean less new wiring at full price in the future, if I choose to extend my network. Thanks for your answer!

[MotoWilliams]

The catch is that it depends upon which direction the traffic is flowing. If you are primary going from A to B then the hub should be fine, even when moving big files. If you are going back and forth between A and B for larger files then the switch is going to save some headaches in terms of the slow network speeds.

[hyperslug]

Auto-MDIX link broken, remove final slash.

[jyoseph]

@Martin as long as you place the hub in a good location, you should be able to upgrade to a switch at a later date.

[jyoseph]

What I find interesting is I have a Linsys switch that apparently supports that, but still has an uplink port.

[jyoseph]

I've seen it where if the connection is in half-duplex, that some protocols don't even seem to work.

[Martin Bøgelund]

I don't need to buy anything if a hub is sufficient, since I've already got an old one lying around.