Newbie needs network hardware advice

[zoniguana]

Been eyeballing a Linksys "Starter Kit" for networks. Anybody have any ideas? Also eyeballing the Belkin 10Mbps hub for home network. Any feedback on whether or not it's worth it or even compatible with a Linux Server/ Windows workstation setup would be a big help... Thanks!!

[Dagda]

The linksys cards should work with Linux. As for the hub buy a 10/100 switch instead its just a few bucks more and the performance is much better

[SpinyNorman]

Since you're mentioning the hub separately, I hope you aren't talking about the Homelink Phoneline starter kit. That setup runs on regular phone wire, not professional data-grade twisted-pair wiring like CAT 5. You'll never get more than 10Mbps.
http://www.stevewolfonline.com/Downloads/DMR/Visuals/sick.gif

My advice: Go pro.
Network cards capable of 100Mbs start at about $15, and 10/100Mbps hubs/switches start at around $70. There's really no reason to be stuck at 10Mbps these days, unless your home's layout makes it physically impossible to run the CAT 5 wiring.

BTW:
As far as Linux compatibility goes, you only have to worry about the Ethernet cards; Linux doesn't care about the kind ofswitch or hub you use.

[ 20 March 2002: Message edited by: SpinyNorman ]

[liquidfx13]

I have to say that i agree with SpinyNorman. Definitely go pro. you will be so much happier with the performance of your network it's not funny.

if ya need some really good info on the basics of networking (not necessarily with linux) one site that i totally recommend for some good hardware info is www.practicallynetworked.com (http://www.practicallynetworked.com) or www.tomshardware.com (http://www.tomshardware.com) both of those will give you some good information