Typical 100Mbps speeds ?

I networked my laptop to my desktop using 10/100 Mbps adapters and a Cat. 5 crossover cable.
I'm using a program from PC magazine called NetPerSec to monitor my transfer speed. The best I can do is 9 Mbps (I was transferring a Drive Image image file...over 600 Meg). Does that indicate a 100Mbps network ?.The LED on my laptop adapter indicates that it is connected to a 100 Mbps network. I'm new to networking but I thought if I installed a 100 Mbps instead of a 10Mbps network that I would see speeds somewhere above 10 Mbps.
Do you need a hub to go above 10 Mbps ?
What range of speeds should I see with a 100 Mbps network?
I would appreciate any help.

1. RE: Typical 100Mbps speeds ?
lbyard Feb-19-01 08:52 PM
In response to message 0

That’s a wee bit slower than my benchmarks at http://duxcw.com/digest/Reviews/Network/dlink/dhn910/dhn910-4.htm. Network protocols use a lot overhead bits etc. and can’t transfer data faster than the computers/hard disks are sending data to it. A hub or switch (http://duxcw.com/faq/network/hubsw.htm) is not faster than a crossover cable. Depending on the situation, a crossover cable may in fact be faster than a hub, as it operates in a full duplex mode like a switch. Larry