Linksys EFAH24 EtherFast 10/100 Auto-Sensing 24-Port Hub

Build a network with the ultimate in 10/100 flexibility! The EtherFast 10/100 Auto-Sensing Hubs from Linksys are the fastest, most economical way to build or extend an enterprise 100Mbps network! Available in 8, 16, and 24-port desktop and rack mountable models, these blazing performers let you connect computers, workstations, servers, or other nodes together in seconds. Every port of every hub automatically adjusts to either 10Mbps or 100Mbps speeds, allowing you to mix 10BaseT and 100BaseTX hardware together any way you like--all on the same hub! Combine low-cost 10Mbps computers with high-speed Fast Ethernet workstations--save thousands of dollars by putting 100Mbps hardware only where you need it most!

The EtherFast 10/100 Auto-Sensing Hubs from Linksys provide a fast and economical way to build or extend an enterprise 100 Mbps network. Available in a sturdy, 24-port, rack-mountable model, this blazing performer lets you connect computers, workstations, servers, or other nodes together in seconds. Every port of every hub automatically adjusts to either 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps speeds, allowing you to mix 10BaseT and 100BaseTX hardware together any way you like--all on the same hub. Combine low-cost 10 Mbps computers with high-speed Fast Ethernet workstations, and save money by putting 100 Mbps hardware only where you need it most.

1 A network professional's choice for home use.
.

Ok, I am a little strange. How many people have 24 port full duplex 10/100 hubs in their homes? I do, because that is what I did for a living for many years, and I still mess around with computers on a daily basis.

I commonly backed up data across my network. I wasn't happy with slow file transfers between my three servers. 10BaseT speeds didn't cut it.

I also use computer games to benchmark the performance on my network. With my 10BaseT network, I found some games started to slow down. I finally realized my network was functioning optimally, but the hardware was the bottleneck. It was time for a new hub.

Being in the industry, I have plenty of opportunities to pick up older hardware at bargain basement prices--like a 16 port 10baseT hub. But, with the recent price drops on 10/100 products, I finally decided it was time to upgrade my home system. I've had this new Linksys 24 port hub running in my home without a hiccup for 3 months.

I picked this hub because it was full duplex and had lots of jacks. Full duplex means it can operate at 100 Mbps in both directions at the same time. That's like 200Mbps bandwidth. That's twice as fast as half duplex 100BaseT hubs.

If you are shopping around, compare apples with apples. Full duplex is a two way street, half duplex is a one way street with a traffic cop controlling who gets to go in what direction.

One caution. You cannot hook-up two of these hubs if they are spaced more than ten meters apart and get full speed out of them unless you add on modules or know a few tricks.

Linksys makes an add-on module that will increase this to 100 meters. They also make another hub, that if, and only if, every port is operating at 100Mbps, it will connect to this hub over a 100-meter distance.

There is also another fiberoptic module that you can install to get fast interconnect speeds between hub separated by more than 10 meters.

Note these interconnect characteristics are common to all 100BaseT hubs--not just Linksys.

All in all I studied the industry, called manufacturers to confirm information and this is what I decided to purchase.

I'm very happy with it. I think it is an ideal hub for a small business. It can be expanded to support larger businesses.

Coupled with full duplex Linksys network cards, you can have a blazing fast, reliable, and inexpensive network.

Buy one and you won't regret it.