what does 10/100MB networking really mean?

[JayP]

I setup a small LAN in my house. It consists of three computers (Server/Client setup). All NICs are 10/100MB cards but why is it that I never get close to 10MB transfer rates between any 3 computers? Is there some computer settings that I have to do in order to get the highest network transfer rates? I would realy love to know:)

[PolyPill]

Your hub or switch probably isn't 10/100mb.

[KaHNZa]

are you talking 10MegaBytes or Bits?

[JayP]

Originally posted by KaHNZa
are you talking 10MegaBytes or Bits?

...megabytes

[DJL]

ahhh....but your not talking megabytes.. you are talking megabits

Network speeds are measured in bits not bytes.

So 100Mb/s is only 12.5MB/s

and

10Mb/s is only 1.2MB/s

b = bits
B = bytes

Daniel

[Wa11y]

Are you using shielded CatV cable? How long are the cables? What hub/switch/router do you have? Do you have the latest drivers for your network cards? If you skip the hub and use a crossover cable, and have two computers right next to eachother, what speeds do you get?

[JayP]

10Mb okay... I guess that's right then. Network transfer rates at about 1.2Mb it what I'm getting then. 100Mb is what I want so I think I need to get a better hub (10/100Mb), or even better a 100Mb router.

I also think I should take a look at the drivers installed. Maybe I need to update them all?

My LAN setup:
Pc#1 (Server) - NIC#1 SOHOWARE 10/100Mb
- NIC#2 D-Link 530 10/100Mb
Pc#2 (Client) - NIC D-Link 538 10/100Mb
Pc#3 (Client) - NIC D-Link 530 10/100Mb
NetGear EN104tp 10Mb ethernet hub
***All cables are Cat5
...shielded?? not too sure? have to check on that.

[DJL]

If the cable is CAT5 then it will conform to Category 5 specifications and should be fine.

Updating drivers would be a good idea, may improve performance slightly.

I have a 100Mbps switch, I found it was a hudge improvement over 10Mbps. A hub should be fine though.

My setup - Using Netgear FS108
Server-pdc - Intel 10/100 (100Mbps switched = 200Mbps throughput)
Server-bdc - Intel 10/100 (100Mbps switched = 200Mbps throughput)
My desktop - Intel 10/100 (100Mbps switched = 200Mbps throughput)
My Laptop - 3COM 10/100 (100Mbps switched = 200Mbps throughput)
Mums Computer - Realtek 10/100 (100Mbps switched = 200Mbps throughput)
Test Machine - Realetk 10/100 (100Mbps switched = 200Mbps throughput)

[cjlax5]

ya, they can fool you with the advertising if you arent carefull, big diffrence between 100Mbit and 100Mbyte. same thing applies to T1 ect internet acess. T1 = 1.544Mbit/s = about 200Kilobytes/sec.

[rugby]

Don't get a hub, if you need to share an internet connection along with file transfer go get one of those 4-port router/switches. Otherwise just go get a 10/100 switch. Stay away from hubs if possible. They suck.

[Ghaz]

Yes hubs suck ass, I had so many issues until I converted to a router. It takes little to no configuration. Dont need internet connection sharing etc with broadband and dsl. Just say no to hubs!