Can I add a second uplink to 100 base network?

[LostBoy]

Here's what I have right now. An 8 port 10/100 switch with a 5 port 10/100 hub uplinked to it. I need to add a few more machines to the network.

Can I just uplink a second 8 port switch to the first one and still have a 100 base network? The reason I ask is that I seem to recall reading something that said 100Mbps network rules only allowed for on device to be uplinked. I reall don't want to buy a 16 port switch unless I have to. The ones I've seen are quite expensive. I can get another 8 port for $80-$100, but the 16 ports I was looking at are around $250-$300 (ouch!).

TIA for any help.

 

[bigshooter]

You should be able to uplink as many as you like. I've had 4 hooked up at once.

 

[spidey07]

If it is a 100 Base-T hub then you can't have more than one hub in line if it is a ClassI repeater. No more than two in line if it is a ClassII repeater (expensive). This is the definition and limitation of network diameter in 100 Base-Tx networks.

Now, when you add switches to the mix then the switch adds a collision domain boundary. So you can string together multiple switches and not have to worry about the network diameter specifications.

switch<--->hub<--->switch.....works fine, however the hub is a bottleneck.

switch<--->hub<--->hub...unless they are classII repeaters (doubtfull) then this exceeds maximum network diameter.

So in answer to your question:
with repeaters(hub) there is a limit of only one hub unless you use ClassII repeaters. With switches there is no limit because you have shrunk the collision domain.

hope this helps!
spidey

ps - No replie like &quot;well I hooked up 100 BaseT hubs together and it worked fine&quot; I'm just statiing the specifications which should always be followed if you want a network to perform at peak performance.

 

[todays]

I just hooked up an office with a Linksys 4 port switch/router and 4 - 12 port hubs. The 12 port hubs were existing and linked together to opperate as one hub. I made 4 crossover cables and went from each port on the router to each hub and removed the link between the hubs. This should cut down on collisions in theory. So you could just add a crossover cable and connect another hub or switch to your first switch in line. Bye the way, a 16 port SMC EZ-switch at Outpost.com is $149.95 with free shipping. I am installing two of these 16 port switches this week at an office.

 

[LostBoy]

Thanks alot for the info gang.