Need Network Solution

I have used both expensive (a few years ago) and cheap switches (LinkSys, DLink, etc).

Switches have come way down in cost and I encourage you to stick with a very well known manufacturer like 3Com, Cisco, or Bay. These switches are more robust, have better technical support, and outperform their competitors.

Also, you'll find that 3rd party management and monitoring software is more likely to support these switches than others.

While moving to switches is always a good move, and 3com, Cisco, and HP make some
good ones relatively inexpensive, the problem
may not be in your hubs at all, but in the
router.

You might want to have an expert come in and
look at how yourRouter is configured, and
how it is set to handle SLP, Multi-cast, and
other High Bandwitdh processes.

Location of the Router in your Hub Chain may
also be an issue. Do you go Hub to Hub to Hub, or do you have 2 hubs off 1 hub in a
pyramid configuration. Putting the router on
the single hub may improve things.

One model that was not mentioned was Allied Telesyn. I have had outstanding luck with their switches. There are in expensive and the best part is there tech support is FREE>>>>>>>> and that is forever.

Make sure that what ever switch solution you go with you get the uplink modules between the devices....

Mike

Well, I have netgear Switch and it's been about 8 months, so far so good.
I have not check the internal bandwidth, but when I copy a file(200MB) from server, it takes about a minute.

Netgear is quite chip and it does what it should do. Some one says you will get what you pay for.

Router would be considerable. You may want to go for CISCO because of tech support. They are very fast at tech support. I have 1720 CISCO and not many(?) problem.

If you need more detail, please post more details.

While I respect the advice given here, a very important aspect was totally overlooked - design. Having a very similar network problem as you describe I have direct experience what what you are talking about. Don't let the fundamentals of good network design escape you. Remember the "pyramid rule". What this means lower bandwidth goes to higher bandwidth. You only need one single switch. Keep your hubs, as long as they have a 100mb Full duplex uplink port. Each of the hubs should plug into a port on your switch, the clients should each be running 10 MB Half Duplex connections to the hubs. Now have your hub to switch connections running 100 MB Full Duplex. It kinda perverts common logic and makes you go "why have 10 mb half duplex workstation connections"...all I can say are two things "Trust me - it works" and if you really did the math calculations you'll find that you have more efficient throughput using this method than using all 100mb connecitons.

Buying all switches for such a small network is a waste. I know, I was in your boat before I learned better. ;) Cisco is king of switches and routers - don't let anyone tell you different..but they suck at hubs. Btw, Dlink is a great hub, so is 3COM (but too pricey IMHO) and IBM. Netgear isn't my first choice either.

Finally, I need more details to be further help. Also - a switched network in your land won't help your Internet traffic by any significant margin - not at your size. Just so you know. If you are talking straight net traffice that is router related and has to do with your Internet provider. You should seek their advice and assistance.

Again, just all experience talking. Take care.

-later.