SWG Tales

I didn't start out with a router. I had only one PC when I got my CableNet. Now too many computers to mention later I'm on my second router. My first one was a siemans speedstream (2600 series?). It lasted maybe 2.5 - 3 years. I now use a Linksys deal with the vonage and wireless all built-in. I've had it about a year now.

Rule of thumb I would say is two years because that is about the time your warranty runs out.

PS - That is my experience with most stuff. Many times I replace things before they break because I notice performance dips. I don't remember why exactly I stopped using the other router.

You did say hub and I have never seen a hub go bad. But I hate hubs for various reasons and don't use them. Not sure which type of device you actually mean when you say "hub"

Also I keep this room fairly cool year round and try my damndest to keep the humidity out so that things don't get cooked. I have friends that don't and they are constantly replacing equipment.

I would imagine the lifespan of a hub is about that of a modem or a router. However, I don't recommend using a hub, especially if there are multiple computers connected to it.

Hub's are dumbed down version of routers. When information is sent across a hub, that information has the IP address of the destination computer tacked to it. The hub doesn't read this, so it just broadcasts the information across all its ports. Not a huge thing for most users, but I think it's stupid.

Also, I've never seen a hub come with any built in security features. If you spring for a router, they will usually come with a firewall and other filtering options such as MAC filtering and port forwarding. Most people are good with just the firewall.