BNC vs. RJ45

[JP]

What's better? A BNC network or an RJ45 network? If you are going to have more than two systems on the network, then BNC is cheeper because you don't need a hub. But is it just as reliable? What about speed? I have heard that RJ45 is faster, but by how much? Is the difference anything noticable or significant? Please let me know what you think. Thanks!

[Josh]

For a small home network RJ45 is better because you can get cables that are already made for you, usually in lengths of 6',10',14',25'. It is difficult to find any computer store that sells pre-made BNC network cables, which may leave you with making your own cables which is 1. not easy 2.you have to buy tools. With the price of a 8-port hub averaging around 50 dollars and patch cables averaging about 7 dollars, there is not much of a difference in price between the two. RJ45 is the easier of the two to implement for a small network. There is a speed advantage with RJ45 if you invest money into a 100mb hub and 100mb network cards. there is about a 10x speed increase with 100mbit/sec versus 10mbit/sec. it works like this BNC=10mbit/sec RJ45=10mbit/sec or 100mbit/sec w/more expensive hardware. I personally recommend RJ45


[This message has been edited by Josh (edited 02-13-99).]