Gigabit Ethernet

Hi,

I want to setup gigabit ethernet between 2 of my PCs. I do a huge amount of copying back and forth and really want to speed it up as much as possible.

Can someone recommend some good (but cheapish) gigabit ethernet cards?

Do I have to have a switch/router or can I just connect them with a crossover cable?

I've heard I will need fibre for this, or will CAT6 be good enough?

Any information on the subject would be great.

Thanks

 

Gigabit ethernet over copper needs only Cat 5E not Cat 6

Fibre just makes the whole thing expensive !

I'd look at cards from 3Com, D-Link and, at a push, NetGear

The really cheap cards tend to be unreliable, in which case theyre no better than 100 Mbps that you probably already have

 

I have no direct experience with high speed stuff on other than fiber so can only say what my cable purchase would be.

Cat5e is supposed to carry Gb traffic OK but I think if your need is for speed, I'd spend a little extra and get the Cat6 cables. More twists per inch and should have less cross-talk/static/whatever to cause problems. It may be overkill but it is certainly cheap overkill so why not.

 

10-4 to that!

A lot cheaper than fiber (and a whole lot more durable)!

Get the Cat6.

Mike