What is the best way to speed up file transfers between two computers networked?

[dxkj]

I have two computers networked and i transfer files from one 80GB 5400 rpm HD to antother in one of hte computers its networked with. They go through a hub .


When copying about 8gb worth of files windows comes up with 120-150 mins to copy, is there anyway to speed this up? isnt theoretically 10mbps which is 10-15 mins for 8gb?

 

[her209]

Originally posted by: dxkj
I have two computers networked and i transfer files from one 80GB 5400 rpm HD to antother in one of hte computers its networked with. They go through a hub .


When copying about 8gb worth of files windows comes up with 120-150 mins to copy, is there anyway to speed this up? isnt theoretically 10mbps which is 10-15 mins for 8gb?

Theoretically speaking, if you have a 10Mbps connection between the two computers:

10Mbps = 1.25MBps

8GB * 1024MB = 8192MB

8192MB / 1.25MBps = 6553.6 s = 109.2266 mins

However, due to overhead you wont get the full 10Mbps.

My suggestion is to upgrade anything that is 10Mbps to 100Mbps or even 1Gbps (if you do a lot of transfers).

 

[dxkj]

thanks

 

[mboy]

Yeah, just buy a switch. hey are cheap nowadays!

 

[dxkj]

a switch? dont i need to upgrade the network cards?

 

[Panlion]

Get a 100mbps switch that'll do. a hub is half duplexed and can receive collision, while most switches these days are full duplex. If you have a 100Mbps switch, you should receive close to 90Mbps of output. If you don't, then a better network card is needed. Also you can check the CPU utilization when you do the transfer, if they are at 100% and you are still net getting 90Mbps, then you want to try a better network card such as Intel Pro or 3Com.

If 90Mbps is not enough, than I suggest a Gig switch.

Remember Mbps is Megabits.

 

[mboy]

Originally posted by: dxkj
a switch? dont i need to upgrade the network cards?

do u have 10/100 cards now?

 

[dxkj]

Yeah I have 10/100 cards, sorry guys Im a moron about network stuff, I havnt dealt with it much recently... but I guess thats how you learn, by asking


so getting a 100 Mbps switch would up me from a max of 10 (on my hub) to a max of 100

if I wanted to get 1000 I would have to go to new network cards, and a 1000 switch, right?


What if I just used a crossover cable instead of a switch?



Also, are my hard drives going to be limiting the speed on these anyway? 80GB 5400 rpm (Im going to go look up their max speeD)


thanks

 

[mboy]

Switch is fine. If you have broad band internet, then u coudl get a router to share it and have the 100mb bandwidth between them
You could use a crossover if you wanted, but a 5 port switch is dirt cheap now and would make your life easier.

BTW, askin is the only way to learn

 

[dxkj]

is a switch the same thing as a hub? and If not does anyone have a link to an article explaining all this obvious stuff


ty,
bryan

 

[JackMDS]

AnandTech - FAQ. Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...?

 

[dxkj]

thanks!!

 

[BarryAZ]

A hub looks exactly like a switch -- these days you get 100M for the same as 10M pretty much.

Also, you can run full duplex instead of half duplex -- but for two workstations talking to each other that won't matter.

To an earlier query -- you *could* simply hook up the two systems using a crossover cable.

 

[Goosemaster]

Using a crossover cable bettwen to 1000Mbps Cards is a good idea as you mentioned.

The crossover cable is used for DIRECT PC TO PC connection so you will not need a Switch. Of course if you want to use DSL or cable, you will need to do two things.

1. The pc with internet access will need an extra NIC to have connected to the interent

2. That same pc, if a windows one, will need to have Internet Connection sharing (ICS) enabled.


Also, 100/1000 cards go from a reasonable $45-150 so it is pretty cheap.


Than again you can just get a $10 switch to repalce your hub and you're set with a very fast connection mind you.

 

[StraightPipe]

crossover cable is the quickest if you dont want to share internet connection. if you do get a router or a second NIC to use in your gateway PC

 

[TW2002]

Agreed a switch...

however have you checked to see that the links are negtiated correctly? ie 10full/half/auto? (on the network card configuration) You need to make sure they are matching to maximize the link.