Impact of NICs on the network

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RonRide

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Dec 29, 2013
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My network has some 100Mbps and some 1000Mbps NICs. I have heard that the network will run only as fast as the slowest network device. Is that true?
 
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COLGeek
When communicating between mixed speed devices, the lower speed is the effective speed. So when a PC with a 1000Mbps wired ethernet connection is communicating with a printer (or other PC) with a 100Mbps connection, the effective speed of the communications is 100Mbps.

When only communicating to the router/switch, the highest supported speed is what you have per each individual port.

Think of it a connecting pipes of different sizes together. The smaller pipe can only pass so much water through it, even if connected to a larger diameter pipe (and vice versa).
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COLGeek

COLGeek

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When transferring data between different speed devices, the least common speed sets the rate. So, if your router/switch ports support 10/100/1000Mbps devices and you are sharing files between a 100Mbps and 1000Mbps device, then 100Mbps is the effective speed of the transfer.

This also holds true of the router/switch only supports 10/100Mbps ports.

For many users, the limitation is the level of internet service you are subscribed to.
 
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RonRide

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Dec 29, 2013
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RonRide

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Dec 29, 2013
35
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10,530


 
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RonRide

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Dec 29, 2013
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So if the network has a mix of nics - some at 100Mbps and some at 1000Mbps then the 1000Mbps nics will only run at 100Mbps...the switch and the router support 10/100/1000...but 2 computers and a network printer are 100Mbps.
 
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COLGeek

COLGeek

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When communicating between mixed speed devices, the lower speed is the effective speed. So when a PC with a 1000Mbps wired ethernet connection is communicating with a printer (or other PC) with a 100Mbps connection, the effective speed of the communications is 100Mbps.

When only communicating to the router/switch, the highest supported speed is what you have per each individual port.

Think of it a connecting pipes of different sizes together. The smaller pipe can only pass so much water through it, even if connected to a larger diameter pipe (and vice versa).
 
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