以前,我们在以太网和快速以太网设备之间共享资源的唯一方法是加入交换机。但是其高昂的成本使很多小公司望而却步,对于它们来说,简简单单的升级到快速以太网看来是毫无指望了。 但是,新近上市的自适应10/100集线器向交换机发起了挑战。这些集线器可以连接以太网和快速以太网设备,还能够在不同速率的端口间传输数据,因而不必再使用交换机。这些集线器可以借助内置交换芯片进行速率协商。平均每端口的价格大约是35美元, In the past, the only way we shared resources between Ethernet and Fast Ethernet devices was to join the switch. However, the high cost has kept many small businesses out of control, and for them it seems hopeless to simply upgrade to Fast Ethernet. However, the newly introduced adaptive 10/100 hubs have challenged switches. These hubs can connect Ethernet and Fast Ethernet devices, and can also transfer data between ports at different speeds, eliminating the need to use switches. These hubs can negotiate rates with built-in switching chips. The average price per port is about 35 US dollars,