FireWire routers and FireWire patch bays can help speed up your business by increasing the number of FireWire connections to your computers. IEEE 1394, also known as FireWire, cables and connectors transmit data more than 30 times faster than USB. So linking your computers together through FireWire port routers can greatly reduce the time of sending information through your business. This is especially true if transmitting large-data files like video.

Once the majority of your computers have 1394 FireWire ports, FireWire routers can link up all your computers for much faster connections. When searching for an IEEE 1394 router you need to consider:

1. How many of your computers have FireWire connections?

2. Which will be more efficient, smaller FireWire routers or a FireWire patch bay?

3. Will you still need USB connections along with FireWire?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Link a few computers with router FireWire

If your business is small enough to use only a few computers, a single IEEE router should be all that you need. Most single 1394 routers connect six FireWire cables together, allowing you to connect up to six computers (fewer if any computers use more than one port). They also support speeds of 100, 200 or 400 megabytes per second.

I recommend: PCCables.com, Inc. has six-port FireWire routers as well as the cables to connect them. CrazyWireGuy.com also has six-port routers that are compatible for both Windows-based PCs and Macs.

Get a FireWire patch panel for several computers

If you own or work for a larger business that needs to link together numerous computers, you need a FireWire patch bay. A single patch bay with 24 ports works better than four routers of six ports, and for less money.

I recommend: SignVideo, Ltd. has a patch bay with 16 FireWire patch ports, including both six-pin and four-pin styles (six-pin is the larger, more standard version). If more ports are needed, ADC offers a FireWire patch panel with 24 available FireWire ports in a single unit.

Find FireWire routers with USB ports

Because older computers may not have FireWire ports, you may find yourself still needing standard USB connections for your computers along with FireWire. In this case, finding routers that have both FireWire and USB ports may save you time, money and hassles.

I recommend: TRENDnet manufactures and sells several routers with both USB 2.0 ports and IEEE 1394 FireWire ports. This 6-port router combines three USB 2.0 ports and three FireWire ports in one easy-to-install PCI card. Donlin Teleproduction Engineering sells the TRENDnet 7-port router with four USB 2.0 ports and three FireWire ports.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Avoid wasting time looking for a wireless FireWire router. They essentially don't exist. FireWire and wireless are two different functions.
• •  Look for USB-to-FireWire adapters as another way of adapting your computers without FireWire ports.