router/switch
 

i have a dsl modem with a 4 port router build in. And i wanna be able to get net to like 10 computers with it. And i have 2 8 ports switches...is it possable to hook a router into a switch? i know i could use Net connection sharing and just do that but id rather not. But if i must i will hehe

Yeah, it should work fine. Make sure DHCP is enabled and the router should provide IP's to any computer on the switches. Just plug the two switches into two of the ports on the router and you're good to go!

-Lasereth

will i need cross over cables or normal cat5 work?

You will need to use a crossover to connect the switches to the ports on the router

Nope just use a normal cable....no need for crossover

it depends
my switch is an 8 port one but has an extra port which you can directly connect to another switch with just a normal cat5

else i'm pretty sure you'll need a crossover to connect it using just a normal port

well my switches have auto-mdi/mdix which i have been told makes it so u dont need crossover. But im not sure cuz my router may require crossovers

Now, i'm probably wrong, but you most likely don't need a crossover cable. I have a hub from over 5 years ago that doesn't need a crossover and it can also use crossovers, so if they can do it 5 years ago on a hub of all things, then I bet a switch/router can too.

Try it with normal cat 5 and if that doesn't work try it with a crossover cable.

If you have auto-MDI/MDX, it doesn't matter what you use - just go for what you have, or what's cheapest (straight).

Yeah, just grab a couple spare cables from the closet and wire her up--its not hard at all. Done it about 10 times, never had a problem.

problem im having is dang sbc takes to long to activate it !~! hehe presky sbc

huh?

just joking around that sbc is taken forever to activeate my dsl hehe

plug the cables in, if they light up, it works, and if it doesn't work, move one end from the "uplink" port to a normal port.

Auto-mdi/mdix is also referred to as Auto Cross. Which means that it automatically crosses the connection over if it's needed, or leaves it straight-through. You won't need crossover cables when connecting to an auto-mdi/mdix switch but you if you have them it won't matter either -- the MDI/MDIX Auto Cross ports will automatically fix any errors. But it's designed to normally use a straight-thru patch cable. It's a badass feature!


On a related note for you folks in general, keep in mind that any Gigabit Ethernet port is automatically MDI/MDIX Auto Cross by default -- it's part of the specification.