Which file transfer method will be faster?

[Imacflier]

Morning, all,

I want to transfer some large files between two computers. The are physically adjacent. Both are on my internal network, but...

Only one of the computers can be physically wired to the network...the other must connect via wifi.

So, which is going to be faster: files transfers via the network or disconnecting from the network and using a 'cross-over' cable to connect the two computers directly? Aside-yes, I am aware that in modern computers a regular Ethernet cable will work and a cross-over cable is no longer necessary.

So, all ye data transfer experts, which would be faster for me?

TIA,
Larry

 

[jfreggie2]

Is there a reason only 1 can be hard-wired to the network?

 

[therealduckofdeath]

File transfers over Wifi can be extremely slow because of huge data overhead over wifi, at least if you try to use network drive shares. I never use my wifi to transfer big files neither to my mobile or to a PC for that reason. For my phone I use a USB connection or just put the SD card in the PC and for my laptop/tablet I use a USB hard drive.

 

[Imacflier]

jfreggie2,

Of course there is a reason....in this case it is that the cable raceway simply cannot accept another cable.

Now: is there a better solution than this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DRG1SLO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

to switch one computer from the router to the second computer?

Larry

 

[therealduckofdeath]

That thing is a manual switch to share one port between two devices, only one at the time. I don't see how it would change anything for you? Unless I'm completely misunderstanding what you're trying to do? :-\
If you need more ports you'd need a small hub and connect it as a bridge to your main router. Make sure your ISP allows connecting a bridge and that the mini hub you buy has a bridge mode.

 

[Imacflier]

therealduckofdeath,

If I connect the RJ-45 port of the Wifi computer to the switch, and connect the connection to the router to another input to the switch, I think that will give me the ability to switch the non-Wifi computer between the router and the Wifi computer manually....without plugging and unplugging cables. Of course I will have to disable the Wifi to make use if its Ethernet port.

Make sense? And do you see any reason it will not work?

 

[therealduckofdeath]

I don't know what you mean. Is the switch you mention not the same as your Wifi? Is the Wifi PC a laptop or is there a particular reason it can't permanently use the cable connection?

 

[Imacflier]

Hmmm...I must be having another "OldTimer's" lapse in communication ability (I have earned it since I am 78!)

Let me try again:

I want to be able to switch the non-wifi computer between the router and the wifi computer using a short Ethernet cable. The mechanical switch should allow me to do this. The switch is acting as an A-B switch. By shutting off the wifi on the wifi computer it 'should' connect through the switch to the non-wifi computer and give me full speed file transfer capability.

If I had the physical space to run another Ethernet line through the raceway to the router I would simply do that. I hope this will let me set up a temporary network consisting of only the wifi computer and my server (the non-wifi computer).

Larry

A little more clear?

 

[jfreggie2]

You should just buy a cheap switch. Something like this:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127421

One link from your router to the switch and then both computers in to the switch.

 

[Imacflier]

Perhaps I do not understand its operation. Would not that solution send data to the switch, then to the router, then to the non-wifi computer? Would that not be always be slower than sending direct through a switch from computer A to computer B?

 

[USAFRet]

Perhaps I do not understand its operation. Would not that solution send data to the switch, then to the router, then to the non-wifi computer? Would that not be always be slower than sending direct through a switch from computer A to computer B?

2 systems connected to the same switch via ethernet....the data only traverses up to the switch and then back down to the other system.
It does NOT go all the way up to the router and then down through the switch again.

Of course, if one is connected ONLY via WiFi, then yes..it goes all the way up to the router.

Your issue is that the cable raceway can't hold another cable?

 

[Imacflier]

USAFRet,

"2 systems connected to the same switch via ethernet....the data only traverses up to the switch and then back down to the other system.
It does NOT go all the way up to the router and then down through the switch again.

Of course, if one is connected ONLY via WiFi, then yes..it goes all the way up to the router.

Your issue is that the cable raceway can't hold another cable?"

I think we have just said the same thing! In summary: From Comp A to a/b Switch to either router OR Comp B.

Is there any reason to NOT do it this way?

Larry

 

[USAFRet]

USAFRet,

"2 systems connected to the same switch via ethernet....the data only traverses up to the switch and then back down to the other system.
It does NOT go all the way up to the router and then down through the switch again.

Of course, if one is connected ONLY via WiFi, then yes..it goes all the way up to the router.

Your issue is that the cable raceway can't hold another cable?"

I think we have just said the same thing! In summary: From Comp A to a/b Switch to either router OR Comp B.

Is there any reason to NOT do it this way?

Larry

I think we are talking about two different kinds of "switches"

You say "a/b Switch"
I'm talking about an ethernet switch...5 or 8 port.
Like this one, $16
https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Ethernet-Optimization-Unmanaged-TL-SG105/dp/B00A128S24


The one you linked earlier is NOT what you want.

 

[The Paladin]

I suggest you use Zmodem its faster than Xmodem and Ymodem file transfer using a terminal application.

 

[USAFRet]

I suggest you use Zmodem its faster than Xmodem and Ymodem file transfer using a terminal application.

Let's get these things connected first, rather than worrying about which irrelevant protocol is used.

 

[Imacflier]

Damn! I just hate it when I simply do not have the knowledge to make my own decision. Ok, I will try the 'unmanaged' switch and see how it works!

Thank you all who tried to help a sometimes slow old fart!

Larry