Speeding up my network.

Soldato
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Hello, im a complete novice with networks so treat me like your explaining it to your mum :)

I was just wondering if my network is running at a normal speed between my two PCs(one is my laptop), theyre both connected via ethernet to my BT home hub. I get a maximum of 11MB/s transfering files, i only really transfer games/music from my main PC to my laptop for when im working away from home or if im gonna be taking my PC to bits which im about to do atm.

I have fibre so i might aswell just download the games again onto my laptop as it would probably work out quicker unless i can get this network speed a little faster.

Theyre both using standard onboard networks cards and ethernet cables so i guess one of them is the limiting factor.
 
Yeah 100mbps on both computers. I guess thats why its pretty slow, is that standard speed for an onboard network card?
 
my guess is your BT home hub is only 100mbit. You might get faster using a gigabit switch assuming your laptop nic and desktop nic is gigabit capable.
 
Would i be able to just put the ethernet cable between the 2 computers maybe and speed it up that way? Ill give that a go and see what happens :)
 
how would i go about doing that plz? I know very little about networks, i have always just plugged in my ethernet cable and let windows do the rest. :)

Ive got them both connected and the internet is been shared through them at 1gbit now, but i cant get either of the computers to see either of the shares or even join a homegroup. I started a homegroup on one of them, and the other one sees it and asks for the password but then just doesnt connect and after a while says it cant see the homegroup anymore.

Im guessing its down to these IP adresses you mention that need changing.
 
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BT Home hub has been gigabit for ages.
2 PC's directly connected will only be as good as the slowest network card, so probably not worth it.
To connect PC's together I think you'll need a different Ethernet cable with a crossover pair connected.
Best bet is to change network cards. Add one to the desktop and maybe a USB on the laptop although unless it's USB 3 it may still be slow.
Andi.

Just noticed, desktop will be gigabit (Z97 mobo) so problem will be the laptop - what is it?
 
Do you know which BT Hub you have?

Does it look like this (BT Hub 3):
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Or this? (BT Hub 4/5):
mz1cTHX.jpg
 
To connect PC's together I think you'll need a different Ethernet cable with a crossover pair connected.

These days most NICs can manage that themselves (except when you actually want that feature :s and typically find you have one that doesn't).

Simplest solution would be to buy a cheapy 4-5 port gigabit NIC and make sure the cables are cat5e or cat6 assuming both systems support gigabit speeds.
 
Yeah the Home Hub 3 only has one Gigabit port, so you basically need a separate switch if you want Gigabit speeds on your home network.
 
Yeah mine is the old one, both the cards are saying 1 gbit when I d/c them from the hub so I guess Im ok to just get a cheap switch or I might give bt a ring tomorrow and see if I can blag a new hub.

Cheers for the help guys.
 
or buy a 5 port gigabit switch. then connect that up with an ethernet cable to your router.

There won't be any configuration involved, it will just work.
 
or buy a 5 port gigabit switch. then connect that up with an ethernet cable to your router.

There won't be any configuration involved, it will just work.

This - About 15 quid for a gigabit switch - just wire your router to the switch, the pc to the switch and the laptop to the switch. It will just work out the box and assuming your laptop and pc have gigabit enternet these two will connect to each other at gigabit speeds
 
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