Internet connection speed reduced when router connected to hub

[DavidJH]

I had problems with my internet connection speed around Easter this year. After several months I finally got BT and Pipex to sort it out - no real explanation but normal speed was resumed after BT fiddled around at the local exchange.
Prior to this I had been running a network of 4 PC's connected via a hub and router to the internet.

Since this incident I can only run one PC at normal speed (I have a 1mb connection) if attached directly to the router, as soon as I plug 2 PC's into the hub the connection speed drops dramatically on both PC's, although there is still a connection to the internet.

It is just as if each PC is using a share of the line even if one PC is not accessing the internet at the same time as the other one!

I have tried 2 different routers and 3 different hubs in various combinations, but the result is the same. I did not knowingly change any network settings during the period I was trying to regain a decent connection speed.

Can anyone suggest a likely cause for this as I am unable to come up with anything, and BT/Pipex are not very helpful!

Thanks,

David

[Midknyte]

hubs split the bandwidth of the line. they are not "intelligent" like switches are. you should be using a switch instead. what kind of router do you have? many soho routers will have a 4 port switch built in.

http://www.industrialethernetu.com/courses/105_1.htm

[Sterling_Aug]

I know what a split Internet line is like. I used to share a 56k dial up line with 4 PCs on my network. Talk about a snails pace!

I always tell my clients to pay the extra few dollars for a 10/100 switch instead of the cheaper 10/100 hub. I have yet to have anyone complain after they see how much faster the Internet speeds are.

[DavidJH]

I have a Netgear DG632 modem router, I have also tried a AR11 modem router.

Why has this problem suddenly occurred?

Previously I had up to 6 PC's running through the hub, connected to the router and it was perfectly possible for every PC to be online at the same time with no degredation in performance!

Thanks for the advice.

I shall try and borrow a switch and see if it makes a difference.