Gigabit ethernet vs USB - connecting two computers

Whiffle

Whiffle

Whiffle

Associate
Joined
27 Jul 2009
Posts
386
Hello,

I have got my main computer and my server in the same room next to each other, connected by ay a 100Mbps router.

The problem is that this is a bit slow for my needs - I run iTunes on my main computer but the library and metadata is all stored on my server, so things are a bit sluggish.

Ultimately, I need to speed up the potential connection speed between the two computers and have, I see it, a number of options:

1. Upgrade to a gigabit router
2. Use a USB 2.0 crossover cable (or even a USB3.0 if they exist) - if I do this can I use Ethernet as well? For example will the computer be able to realise that it should use the USB connection for transferring files between the computers rather than over ethernet.
3. Put an extra Gigabit Ethernet Card in each card and connet them directly with a crossover ethernet cable (in addition to having them connected to the router).

Thanks a lot.
 
How about a gigabit switch, bought my last cheap 5 port gigabit for just over £20 recently. You can put it in front of the router- save buying a more expensive router?
 
2x1gb ethernet cards = £30
small cheap gb switch = £30

router plugs into gb switch, both PC's plug into the switch

job done...
 
if you mean cross over cable, that would work,

the machines will not magicly just talk to each other over the GB wire, you will need to give both ends a IP address and stick in a hosts entry to ensure X talks to Y over the GB cable and not over the 100 line... infact the cards may well jsut work it out and there will be no need for xover
 
As long as your 2 computers have already got gigabit connections, just buy a gigabit switch and connect all your stuff together on the same switch.
 
sedmonds said:
As long as your 2 computers have already got gigabit connections, just buy a gigabit switch and connect all your stuff together on the same switch.
Click to expand...

+1

Depending on the onboard LAN, they may already have gigabit ports. Just connect them to a new gigabit switch, then connect the switch to the router.
 
Thanks very much for your replies.

Apologies for the crossover esata suggestion - stupid suggestion that does not, of course, exist.

It does seem, therefore that the obvious choice, given both computers have onboard gigabit ethernet, is to go with a gigabit switch.

I suppose that even though a separate Swich and router is going to use a little bit more power (though not much) this is going to be more than made up by the cost of not having to buy a new router.

Could anyone possibly suggest a decen switch please? Sedmonds, what have you got old chap?

Thanks.
 
Thanks for that.

I am tempted to go for the 8-way, just in case, but the descriptions for each router seem to give the 5-port switch better specs - e.g. Green Technology.

Are the switches completely identical but for the number of ports or are there other differences as well?

BTW - I believe that you are only as old as the version of Windows you are using!
 
One other quick thing - how easy are Switches to set up generally?

Is it a case of plug and play or do you have to set it up like a router?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom