Slow Windows Networking

Hi,

This is my first post

I have 5 computers connected to my home network using a Linksys Router. A network harddrive is also on the same network. Every night, every computer will do a automatic backup of important documents. However, sometimes the backup is not successful because either the hard drive is not found or the connection is dropped while backup up data.

So, is it the Router that slows down my network, or it's just Windows?

Should I buy a switch and then connect an uplink from the switch to the Router?

Thanks

 

Welcome to WindowsBBS.

In your situation I would start by doing three things:

First, set the backup schedule so that 5 computers back up at different times through the night.

Second, use software that only copies to the network hard disk files that have changed since the last back up.

Third, be selective on what you back up. Back up documents and data daily. Operating system and applications only need to be backed up if something major changes on your system. Don't forget that it is your documents and data that can't easily be reproduced. Operating systems and applications can always be reinstalled from source disks if all else fails.

If you are trying to do full backups of everything on five computers at the same time, I'd be surprised if you didn't get errors.

 

oh, i am already doing the things you said

the backup software only updates documents that have been updated

 

Linksys model number?

Most are true 4-port routers, with the fifth port an uplink port. You cannot reliably use five ports at the same time.