Linksys Router Question

[hodunwun]

Regarding the Linksys wire router for broadband model
BEFSR 41 four port: The description sounds like it switches the broadband instead of splittiing it to each computer. In this way each computer gets the full bandwidth. Am I understnding that right and how does it work out acutally in use? If two or more computers are accessiing at the same time, what happens? I will only be using it for two computers.
Thanks for your attention.
Doug

[gunrunnerjohn]

Nope, no way it could do that. If you have two computers connected and they're all downloading a large file, the bandwidth should be split among them, but you won't get more bandwidth than if a single computer was downloading the file, it's just divided among the computers requesting the bandwidth. There is no free lunch.

[hodunwun]

Gunrunner: Check this ad on buy.com for the router:

"Unlike a typical router which can only share 100Mbps over all its connections, the Linksys EtherFast Cable/DSL Router is equipped with a blazing 4-port EtherFast Switch, dedicating a breakneck 100Mbps to each and every connected PC.

If four PCs are simultaneously accessing a standard shared-band-width router, they will only run at one-quarter the speed of any number of PCs accessing the Instant Broadband Cable/DSL Router. Not only will all of your PCs now be able to enjoy your lightning-quick Broadband Internet connection, they will also be able to share internal network data at ten times the Broadband Internet speed. Add it all together and your small network will move along faster than you ever thought possible.unner, check this add from buy.com."

Confusing to me. Are they saying that each computer will get full bandwidth if no other computer is accessing the router?
Where with other routers each computer will only and always get a portion of the bandwidth? What do you think?

[-FalconFan-]

At work now so I don't have access to my specific numbers, but I'll say this...

I have the BEFSX41 (same thing but w/ NAT and SPI firewall) with 4 pc's using Win XP home all connected to one 1.5mb(rated) DSL connection.

I noticed a dip in bandwith one time, I had 3 pc's online and DL'ing files while I was using the 4th for online gaming and I had a slight slowdown.
Aside from that, I've had all 4 online browsing or DL'ing files and never noticed any problems.

I know it's not possible but I'd actually swear it increased my download rates on all 4 pc's. I used to get transfer rates of the mid to high 70's on any given pc, and now I've been getting anywhere from 95 to 120 on any given pc. DSLReports also shows I'm reaching 90% of my rated 1.5mb service where before I was lucky to get half that.
Take that all for what it's worth...




(edit: spelling)

[gunrunnerjohn]

Look closely at the statement in question. They're talking about internal network speeds between computers.

There really isn't a free lunch, you can't get blood from a stone! If you have a 1.5mbit connection and have four computers all doing a large download, you will NOT get four times the bandwidth.

One thing you might notice is that with four machines all making demands, that you may pick up some speed that would otherwise be wasted, since you have more threads demanding the bandwidth, thus potentially less latency and wasted downlink bandwidth.

OTOH, if you guys really believe you're getting more bandwidth, who am I to rain on your parade?

[hodunwun]

Thanks Gunrunner. I appreciate your info.
doug