Product Reviews

If there's anyone still out there running their network on LocalTalk cabling, it's almost certainly time to upgrade to Ethernet. However, linking together Macs using Ethernet is slightly more complex than plugging in a LocalTalk cable, and if you have more than a few machines you are going to have to invest in an Ethernet hub. A hub acts as the central linking point for all of the Macs connected to the network, like the hub at the centre of a bicycle wheel, routing all information sent from one machine to another.

CNET's catchily named PowerSWITCH CNSH-160T is aimed at users setting up an Ethernet for the first time,

In use, the 160T was fast and simple to configure. Each port has dedicated bandwidth, so each Mac can operate at its maximum throughput no matter how busy other Macs are. Ports can also be set to operate in full duplex mode, allowing a maximum throughput of 20Mbits/sec, although built-in Mac Ethernet ports won't support this at present.

The PowerSWITCH CNSH-2160 is aimed at more established Ethernet installations, and particularly those moving from 10Base-T to 100Base-T. It combines 16 10Base-T ports with two 100Base-T ports, allowing you to link both faster and slower machines together. Each port acts as a separate network segment, rather than a branch of the same network, increasing efficiency. The hub will auto-negotiate between Macs to achieve the highest possible transfer rate.

The CNSH-2160 is as simple to configure as its lower-end sibling, and worked as well as expected in tests. The ease of use of both these products makes them perfect for medium-sized Mac offices that are either installing Ethernet for the first time, or beginning to upgrade to 100Base-T, and offer good value for money.