Does the number of connections to an ethernet switch slow down the speed of computers connection?

[The Newb]

Take for example I had an ethernet switch and I connected 3 computers to it would the LAN and Internet speed be lower for the 3 computers than if they were connected to the LAN\internet by 3 seperate ethernet connections to the internet?

Thanks a lot

 

[yoji]

Depends..

A decent switch will be able to maintain max throughput on all of its interfaces simultaneously. But clearly.. if you have an 8 port switch.. if one connection was to a 1 GB internet connection.. and 3 were 1GB connections to 3 PCs.. if all PCs were trying to pull info from internet.. they would be throttled. as they have to compete for the 1GB of info coming in on the internet connection..

Clear?
Cheers.

 

[BackwoodsTech]

Agree with yoji. Also keep in mind its "kinda" irrelevant if all three are hooked up to the same internet connection or separate connections for the same reason he stated, at the end of the day you will have three computers competing for finite throughput.

 

[The Newb]

Thanks I thought it might do that.