linking switches

[ShadowBlade]

Is it possible to link together two network switches and have all computers on it be on the same network? If so would you need a crossover cable to link them?

 

[networkman]

First answer: Yes

Second answer: Yes, *if* niether of the switches has an "uplink" port; if there is an uplink port on one of them, you'd hook a regular network cable into that port on the one switch and put the other end in a regular network port on the other. 🙂

 

[ShadowBlade]

so i have two routers w/ built in 4-port switches, i could link them with a crossover cable for a total of 6 ports?

 

[networkman]

Assuming that you've disabled the router portion of at least one of the units, yes, it should work.

 

[Devistater]

Yeah, 2 routers on same network is bad stuff. They will screw each other over. Unless you disable all routing functions on one of them. Try a crossover cable and see if the little lights light up to show a link when you plug it in. If that doesn't work, try a straight through to connect them and see if the link light lights up. I would expect you to need a crossover for this to work though.

 

[nweaver]

Some SOHO routers have "auto sensing" features, so a crossover may not be required. I actually use a crossover to connect temp boxes to my network, as It's out already and I'm too lazy to drag another one out and plug it in.