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The central connecting device of a solid home network is the hub or switch.

High-performance networking begins with this 5-port hub. Build either a 10 or 100 Mbps network to play games, share the Internet and more.

Taking your home network from 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps? Or building a blazing-fast 100BaseTX network? Then, the Linksys EtherFast 10/100 auto-sensing workgroup switch is a great addition. All five ports are able to automatically detect and negotiate speeds of 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps, and can transfer data at up to 200 Mbps if needed. Easy to set up and use, simply connect all of your systems and enjoy fast speeds of all applications from Internet to gaming. A great choice for making your home network faster, easier and more fun than ever.

Support Page For Hubs Ethernet, Fast Ethernet,
and 10/100 Hubs Setup & Troubleshooting
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Getting Started General Troubleshooting Tips 5-Port Workgroup Hub Notes Fast Ethernet, FEHUB model Hubs

PERSONAL PREFERENCES HERE, BUT THESE I PERSONALLY USE.

Notes---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
StackPro 100 16-port Workgroup Hub (Rackmount) Notes EtherFast 10/100
Auto-Sensing 8-Port Workgroup Hub Notes

Switches and Auto-Sensing hubs allow 10Mb and 100Mb to communicate with each other. 100Mb Requirements. Category 5 cabling must be used when running at 100Mb speed. The wiring has to be done properly (see below for wiring configuration).
When connecting a workstation to a hub, the maximum distance can't go over 100 meters (328 ft.). When connecting two hubs together, the cable length between the two hubs should not exceed 10 meters (32.8 ft.). This distance limitation is more stringent than that of 10 meters that is sometimes used for connecting two 100Mb hubs. Any auto-sensing hub can be connected together in a network segment. To connect more than two hubs or to extend the distance between the hubs, a switch or a repeater must be used.

Notes about Getting Started
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Follow the checklist to make sure your hardware is installed properly. If you have other ideas for setup tips & hints,
please let me know with email:> crucibus.

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General TroubleshootingTips
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Distance Limitations.
The distance from a node (PC, Print Server, etc) to a hub or switch running at 10Mbps or 100Mbps is maximum of 100 meters (328 feet). The maximum cable distance between two 100Mbps or 10/100 hubs without a switch is 10 meters (32.8 feet).
Only two 100Mbps or 10/100 hubs can be cascaded together, a switch is required for more than two hubs. The maximum cable distance from any node, hub or switch to a switch is 100 meters (328 feet). The maximum cable distance from any 10Mbps node, 10Mbps hub, or a 10/100 hub or switch to a 10Mbps hub is 100 meters (328 feet).

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Coiled cables a NO NO.
Verify that the network cabling isn't coiled or twisted up. Coiled cabling can create electromagnetic fields that may disrupt data transfers between nodes. Avoid interference. Network cabling can be run under floors, around offices dividers, or over dropped ceilings. When planning your wiring layout, try to keep cables away from power outlets, florescent lighting fixtures, uninterruptable power supplies, and other sources of strong electromagnetic interference. PC-to-Hub connections.

When connecting a PC to a hub, make sure that your RJ-45 cabling is straight-through. Pins 1, 2, 3, and 6 at the PC should line up pin-for-pin at the hub. And if the cabling is used with Fast Ethernet network segment, make sure it is Category 5 for best results

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Hubs
are a means of connectiong your many pc'cs together. This is basically a junction box really {HUB} Centrally located.
A HUB can have many ports all of which are used for you to connect your pc's to. [ 1 ] Important factor!

UPLINK PORT IN HUB IS ONLY USED TO CONNECT OTHER HUBS TO IT.
Contrary to a belief that if your Cable / Dsl Modem RJ-45 cable is connected to this you will be connected and things are dandy. WRONG! Yes it may work oddly enough, trust me this is NOT the RIGHT way to do things. Read find out below. Which is

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For more information about cabling, ask me with email:> crucibus  Hub-to-Hub connections.
When connecting two hubs together with RJ-45 cabling, be sure that the cabling is crossed over (if neither hub has an Uplink Port that can be utilized). Pins 1, 2, 3 and 6 at hub "A" should line up with pins 3, 6, 1, and 2 at hub "B", respectively.
For more information about cabling, ask me with email:> crucibus.
10Mb Hub VS. 100Mb Hub. A 10Mb hub can't communicate with a 100Mb hub unless a switch or auto-sensing hub is used to translate the packets between the two speeds.

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Switch VS. Hub.
Most Switches provide for Full-Duplex speed and cut down the traffic on the network by sending the packets only to the port on the workstation is to receive the information. The hubs only operate at Half-Duplex speed and they broad cast a packet to all the nodes on the network (the Auto- sensing hubs broadcast the 10Mb packets to the port that operate at 10Mb only and broadcast the 100Mb packets to the ports that operate at 100Mb only. 5-Port Workgroup Hub (EW5HUB)

Notes --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Status LED on a 5-Port Hub is for use with the hub's uplink port only. When a cable is plugged into the uplink port from another segment of the network, the status light will flash or flicker to indicate the positive status of the segment. However, since the uplink port is joined to port 5 inside of the hub, the status light may flicker randomly when a computer is attached to port 5. This flickering is normal, and doesn't represent anything.

The Activity lights (5 of them, one for each port), light up when there is a workstation or another hub connected to a hub, and they blink if there is any activity from that workstation or the hub. The collision indicator, lights up in the case of collision. The Power light, indicates if there is power getting to the hub.

Notes --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only hubs that can comunicate at 100mbps only can be uplinked to 100Mbps hubs, stackable 100Mbps hubs, switches and routers that can communicate at 100Mbps. StackPro 100 16-Port Workgroup Hub is one that I am in favour of.

Notes for All Auto-Sensing Hubs: ----------------------------------------------------
When connecting a computer to the hub, either the computer has to be powered off or the hub has to be powered off. You should not connect a computer that is already powered into the hub.
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This cable/DSL router won't just bring 4 ports to your network, it'll also act as a security blanket, thanks to its Web site monitoring features and NAT firewall protection.

If you have a cable or DSL modem, your home network needs the advantage of the EtherFast 4-Port Cable/DSL Router. It offers high-speed connections from every station on your system, all from the same static IP address. Most routers also include a built-in firewall, protecting you from outside intruders. No need to buy a hub with certain routers equipped with a 4-port switch that offers full-duplex speed for 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps connections. It's a great high-speed option for interactive gamers as well. If you already have a broadband Internet connection, make the most of it with a router.

EtherFast 1-Port Cable/DSL Router Built-In 10/100 Port!
Generally all support up to 253 users!

Most Instant Broadband EtherFast Cable/DSL Routers are the perfect option to connect multiple PCs to a high-speed Broadband Internet connection or to an Ethernet back-bone. Allowing up to 253 users, some with built-in NAT technology acts as a firewall protecting your internal network. SOME I SAY " SOME" Configurable as a DHCP server, the EtherFast Cable/DSL Router acts as the only externally recognized Internet device on your local area network (LAN).

The router can also be configured to block internal users' access to the Internet. Not only will all of your PCs now be able to enjoy your lightning-fast Broadband Internet connection, they will also be able to share internal network data. With the dual-function speed and power of   SOME EtherFast Cable/DSL Routers, your network will take off at speeds faster than you ever imagined possible.

Note here:-------------------------------------------------------------
Router unit requires an external cable or dsl modem with an Ethernet RJ-45 interface to work properly..

Features Connect to a Broadband Modem Or to An Ethernet Backbone Supports Dynamic and Static IP Addresses Supports PPPoE Connects All of Your PCs to the Internet With Only One Purchased IP Address SOME Create a Firewall to Protect Your PCs From Outside Intruders Configurable Through Any Networked PC's Web Browser SOME Can Act as Either a DHCP Server or Client Compatible with All Standard Internet Applications Administrators Can Block Specific Interior Users Internet Access.

Without the DHCP SERVER capability you CAN NOT have multiple PC'S connected. DOH. Gotta read before you buy.

Techi Jargon
Standard: IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u Certifications: FCC Class B #L2115639 Protocol: CSMA/CD Ports: 1 10BaseT/100BaseTX RJ-45 Port One 10BaseT/100BaseTX RJ-45 Uplink Port Cabling Type: 10BaseT: UTP/STP Category 3 or 5 100BaseTX: UTP/STP Category 5 or Better Topology: Star Speed: WAN Router: 10Mbps (10BaseT Ethernet) LAN: 10Mbps (10BaseT Ethernet) or 100Mbps (100BaseTX Fast Ethernet) LEDs: Power, Ready/Test, Link and Activity for both WAN and LAN port(s), Partition and Collision for LAN ports all this is standard for routers.

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Connect all of the computers in your home with an NIC card. Whether it's for a laptop or desktop, Just pop one in and voilà — that computer is now connected to your network.

With the Netgear FA311TX network card, getting connected is a simple affair. After a quick one-step installation, this card gives any computer a high-throughput transmission rate for either a 10Base-T or 100Base-TX network. It can operate either full or half-duplex and when combined with an auto-sensing RJ-45 interface, provides data transfer rates of either 10 or 100 Mbps. By using five at-a-glance LED indicators, you can know the status of your network connection at any time. If you need to get connected, this card makes your system ready for networking.

AGAIN YOU CAN USE ANY NIC, I REAPEAT ANY 10/100 NIC YOU WANT.
I TRUST AND USE - NetGear. Preferences ain't it a bitch.

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