Quick router question...

[Mini-Me]

Hi.

This may seem obvious, but as I have never done this before...

- Can you daisy-chain two(or more) switch routers to provide more ports?

The concept is to share an ADSL Internet connection, but also have the PC's setup to share certain file, most likely just using the XP File-sharing wizard and the Shared Documents folder, so only what people want to share, gets shared, and not the rest of the PC.

Normally, I would just buy a switch with enough ports, but as I only need 9 ports, and you can get 8-port switches, but not ten-port(well, I'm sure they are available, but not easily here in NZ), as they jump from 8-port up to 16-port in one jump, which is too many, really, and is a 19" rack case, which is too big physically, and costs quite a lot more then 2x 8's.

SO, can I daisy-chain two 8's together, giving me a total of 13 ports?
(1st port on 1st switch coupled to ADSL, 8th port on 1st switch daisy-chained to 1st port on 2nd switch, providing 13 available ports between both switches)

Again, this may seem like a very obvious "Yes", however, I have not configured like this before, so would like to know the opinions of others, in case I am wrong! :p

[mjc]

Depending on the brand, there may be a port for this, but in general, yeah, it can be done. The specifics would depend on the brand/router.

[Variable]

Daisy chaining switches is pretty simple. Older switches had an uplink port that basically switched the port to a crossover. New switches do this without manual intervention. As long as your network is the same between switches it will work just fine. When you say "switch router" I am not sure what you mean.

[Mini-Me]

OK, thanks guys. :)
I said "Switch router", as sometimes people these days tend to refer to an ADSL modem with built in 4-port router incorrectly as a "Router", which is is, but they should call it a "Modem-router", but they don't!
:D

I wanted to make clear, that they are just plain router switches.

Yes, all on the same network, just wanted to gain a couple of extra ports.

[Rick]

A router with a built in switch and 4 ports is normal ( I have one)
followed by an 8 port switch
chained to another 8 port switch
chained to yet another 5 port switch and last a wireless access point

Note on this setup only ONE port on the router is in use
Connected to the number 1 port on the first switch (10/1001G)
chained to switch #2(10/100/1G) using port 8 on switch1 and port #1 on switch #2
Chained to switch #3 (10/100) from port #7 of switch #1 to port 1 of switch #3
Wireless access port chained to switch #2 port #8

Modem-router-switch-switch-wireless access- systems
.............................\switch-systems

It works flawlessly

Note the speeds.
1G-1G-10/100-10/54

fastest first and slower down the line
Slowest being last
Also note the limits set to cat5 cat5e cable in length from one switch to another

[jlreich]

It works flawlessly
Absolutely. Just adding a switch is plug and play. If you actually use another router you have to make sure you disable DHCP on the second router or you will have problems. But it would be cheaper to just get one router and one switch. Or if you have a modem/router already doing DHCP just get two switches, plug them in and you are good to go. :)

[Rick]

Absolutely. Just adding a switch is plug and play. If you actually use another router you have to make sure you disable DHCP on the second router or you will have problems. But it would be cheaper to just get one router and one switch. Or if you have a modem/router already doing DHCP just get two switches, plug them in and you are good to go. :)

Exactly
That is why I have a wireless access point and not a wifi router :)
Just let the original router do the work ( So long as it supports the max number added)

Also it is upgradeable .. Hence the 10/100 and 1G mix
The only thing I can't add to the Mix is the old Token ring cards

[jlreich]

I have a dedicated Linux firewall machine running DHCP > 1G 5-port switch > wireless router with DHCP turned off.

I looked at AP's but they seemed to cost more than routers, so I went with a router. And it doesn't hurt to have 4 extra ports around even though they are only 100Mb since I am am using all 5 ports on the switch. 3 wired system, the firewall machine, and the wireless router. Actually have recently thought about adding a new 8-port 1G switch. Maybe putting it were the 5 port is and putting the 5 port in the basement. :)