Any real differences b/t brands on a basic network?

[energy4life]

I'm upgrading a Linksys Enterprise Ethernet 10 base T 16 port hub that simply connects 15 workstations to a server (the svr connects to router/internet). Business need is for
- firewall
- add'l ports
- faster user authentication (a recent find)

Any key differences on the quality/reliability/life of Linksys vs 3Com vs Netgear vs Seimen's ? Any pointers on what to look for?

FYI, I'm shopping in the "under $400" range, and have found the following products:

1. Linksys StackProII 24 port Dual Speed Stackable Hub for $384 (features include "partition status" and "Unit ID" - which I'm clueless about)

2. Linksys Etherfast II 10/100 24 port Switch for $350

3. Seimen's/SMC Networks EZNET 24 port Ethernet/Fast Ethernet Dual speed switch for $299 (lifetime warranty, versus 5 yr on other brands)

 

[jimbopalmer]

just a comment, a dual speed hub is MUCH less capable than a switch, I stongly urge you to get a switch, not a hub.

in a hub one computer transmits to ALL the computers at once, so a single conversation can happen at once, with quite a lot of collisions between devices.

in a switch, each pair of computers in a conversaation can speak directly to each other, without impinging on other computers, and both may transmit at once (full duplex) rather than taking turns and colliding when they don't play well with others.

(in Honesty I have to admit if the other computers only ever send to the server, most of that is lost except the full duplex part) I tried to remain child-like, all I acheived was childish.