how nas can you go

Skatedude

Since nas drives are connected by a network cable, can you use a simple network hub to connect multiple nas drives?
for example, a lot of pc's come with 2 ethernet ports, could you use one to connect to a five way hub, then connect up to 5 nas?

I would think so , but looking for clarifation before spending

humaxf1

Although hubs may look the same, switches are newer technology...hubs are old technology.

Best way to go about multiple NAS and PCs on the same network is to get a switch with enough ports for all the network cables plus a few extra.

Switches normally come in 4, 5, 8, 16, 24, 32 port variety. Get more ports than you need right now because you may want to expand in the future.

(some people use the term hub, when they mean a switch. bit like saying a hoover or vaccum cleaner, where hoover is a manufacturer)

Stephen

It may be worth getting a small gigabit switch if you're going to be using it for NAS. Any PC built in the last couple of years should have a gigabit network interface and hopefully so should the NAS boxes.

Naikon

Don't go with a hub if you are setting up a NAS system.
A hub passively sends network traffic on a broadcast collision domain, it's up to each individual NIC card to "listen" for the packets destined for a particular device.

So a hub with 8 computers, will only give about 12.5 Mbit/s each, whereas with an 8 port switch, the full 800 Mbit/s will be divided among each and every individual port in a switch.
Go with a Switch:)

Skatedude

Cheers for the info, A switch it is