Ethernet hub

[tom3458]

NetGear EN108TP 8-Port Ethernet Hub : This is the hub i have recently bought off of ebay for roughly �12. i wanted it so i can play Xbox live on my 360 whilst not having to disconnect the pc from the net. Will the model of hub(ie the one i have bought) have any effect on how well my xbox plays on live? i assumede it was jus like an extension lead and acted as just another port for connection? someone PLEASEshed some light on it for.thanks!

[vehelpfulguy]

I think you should have bought a router not a hub.

[tom3458]

uumm . . . im not sure but i dont think so, i already have a modem and all that i just want to be able to plug multiple ethernet cables into the broadband modem.

[fo3nix]

A hub is like a device to split the wires up to more ports, much like those things you can get for your portable music player so that two people can listen with headphones at the same time, etc.

The problem with this is packet collision: if both of you try and use the line at the same time, collision of data can occur, and while the protocols are made to tolerate this, it can slow your data transfer rate down.

A switch solves this, by having fast electronic switching to alleviate the problem. A switch is what's in a router too (and a router typically has more detailed configurations -- router tables, etc.).

Having said all that, while a switch or router would really be better, for just a few devices, a hub should be fine. If there is any differences in your gameplay, it should really only be a slightly higher ping rate, if at all.