Can somebody explain why my Linksys router works in this configuration?

[Jurs]

I have a Motorola Surfboard cable modem connected to the WAN input of my Linksys cable router/4 port switch combo. According to Linksys, the uplink connection is only used for daisy chaining additional switches or routers and up to 4 PC ethernet connections can be used simultaneously without the uplink connection since port 1 and the uplink are shared. I'm simply trying to share 2 ports with my PC's in the house but if I plug them into ports 1-4 with no uplink connection, only 1 of them will work. If I put one of them in the uplink connection and the other in any port, they both work fine. What gives?

 

[ronach]

Bump, I would like to know the answer to this one myself.

 

[Abix]

Originally posted by: ronach
Bump, I would like to know the answer to this one myself.

 

[ktwebb]

Don't know about your device since you didn't specify the model but most contemporary switches are auto detect MDI/MDI-X. So it wouldn't matter, they would all be uplink ports. You also didn't specify which port (s) your using. You may have a bad port on the switch.

 

[Dennis Travis]

It sounds like the Cable to the machine you have to plug into the Uplink port is a crossover cable or wired wrong. The older Linksys routers did not have auto sensing ports and used a separate Uplink port. If you have to connect to the uplink port to a PC unless your NIC card is messed up, it has to be a Crossover cable. You need Straight through cables from the Router's Switch to the PC's.

 

[Jurs]

I'll have to check which configuration I made the plugs, straight through or crossover but I'm pretty sure I made crossover connections.

 

[Jurs]

BTW, I have a Linksys BEFSR41, about 2 years old. It doesn't matter which ports I use with the 2 PC ethernet connections, only 1 will work without the Uplink connection.

 

[Dennis Travis]

Crossover cables will not work with Routers or Switches that do not support Auto Sensing. Those all have an Uplink port. I have that same router. You need Straight through cables. Both ends should be wired the same. If you made them yourself did you use one of the two standard color codes when you wired them? There is 568-A and 568B. Most cables you find in the computer stores are teh 568-B and orange/white is at 1, Orange at 2 and so on.

There are many sites that show the wiring but here is one.

Cat5 Wiring

Hope this helps you.

 

[Jurs]

I checked the canle ends on the router and one is in the T-568A configuration (purchased) and the other is in the T-568B (I made). I'll check the other ends when I get a chance but I think you've nailed it with the crossover/straight through description. Thanks a lot for your help and time!!

 

[Kelemvor]

It doesn't matter what type the cables are as long as the same cable has the same kinds on each end. That will make it match up from the router to the PC. 568A and 568B are interchangable provided one cable has both types and not one of each. If it does, then that would explain what's going on.

As I think about it more, my NetGear router is the one that you do NOT use the uplink port for daisy chaining but my Linksys Hub I DO use the uplink port for daisy chaining. Guess it just depends on the hardware.

Ah well. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[Jurs]

I suspect that's what's going on. I wired the jacks according to the instructions on the back of the package without consideration for how I wired my cables. Its very likely that they are different but I'll have to check that tonight. But as you said, if it ain't broke.......... just like to understand what happened and learn something new. Thanks!!

 

[Dennis Travis]

Franky Junior, I never once stated that 568A and 568B was the problem. Just showed him the 2 standards of wiring so he could check and see if he has straight through or crossover.