This newly-redesigned Linksys 8-Port 10/100 Switch can significantly increase your network traffic's speed. A switch serves the same function as a hub in a network design -- tying your network equipment together. But unlike a simple-minded hub which divides the network's bandwidth among all the attached devices, a switch delivers full network speeds at each port. Installing this cost-effective 8-Port 10/100 Switch can potentially increase your network speed by eight times! It's the perfect way of integrating 10Mbps Ethernet and 100Mbps Fast Ethernet devices, too. All eight ports are auto speed negotiating, and have automatic MDI/MDI-X crossover detection, so you don't have to worry about the cable type. Each port independently negotiates for best speed and half- or full-duplex mode, for up to 200Mbps of bandwidth per port. Fast store-and-forward switching prevents damaged packets from being passed on into the network.