Setting up a switch (ZyXEL ES1100-16)

[Ragnarb]

I'm setting up an unmanaged switch (ZyXEL ES1100-16). The first thing I did was to connect it to power, and then I inserted a CAT-5e cable into port 1 on the Switch, and the other end of that same cable I inserted into the router. The LNK/ACT light for port 1 on the switch then began to blink, indicating that this was working.

In that same room, there is a panel that is connected to a box that connects to the wall. On the panel are marked a fair bit of names for sockets in the walls, and some of them are unconnected. So I took a CAT-5e cable and connected it to one of the unconnected ports, and the other end I connected to the switch. This produced no light on the switch, and it didn't make any difference when I connected my computer to the socket I (thought) I had just connected.

Does anyone have an idea of what I might be doing wrong here?

 

[ch33zw1z]

If you can, pictures of the panel, box, and room would help.

 

[Ragnarb]

If you can, pictures of the panel, box, and room would help.

I can provide that if needed, I just realized something else though: The router has a built-in switch, which means that I'm really connecting a switch to a switch, which I believe means that I'll need a crossover cable?

 

[Ragnarb]

Another tidbit of information that might or might not be useful: I see no port on the switch labelled auto mdix, so I think the crossover cable requirement stands.

Edit: Seems I was wrong, every port may have that feature, still need to verify.

Second edit: The switch supports auto-mdix, so my crossover statement is rendered moot I believe. The Cisco 890 router's switch also supports it. I will provide images in a bit.

 

[ch33zw1z]

All newer switches will have auto-MDI/X ports on them. What I'm trying to see is what you're trying to connect to the zyxel. It may just be a patch panel, so you would not get a link light. But, the pictures will help.

 

[Ragnarb]

All newer switches will have auto-MDI/X ports on them. What I'm trying to see is what you're trying to connect to the zyxel. It may just be a patch panel, so you would not get a link light. But, the pictures will help.

Blue: Router
Green: Bridge
Yellow: Switch
Orange: Switch
Red: Some panel
Pink: A box of some sort, that is connected to the panel with a fiber cable, and is also connected to the bridge.

Regarding the connections: It seems to be a faulty connection, somewhere. I connected it to a port on the panel that was labelled T3.5, which connected T3.6 in the wall. T3.6 on the panel didn't work at all however.

Then there was one labelled T3.13 which appeared like it was connected, but I couldn't get a connection on it. I managed to connect another 3 that worked fine. Though I'm still somewhat unclear on what the bridge (green)/box (pink)/panel (red) do.

I'm guessing that the box somehow connects us to the internet itself, and the bridge seems to be the mediator. And the panel is wired with the sockets in the wall, and to the.. other networking closet, somehow. Which only has a panel and a switch.

 

[ch33zw1z]

That's a bit of a mess. It appears the pink box would be the internet drop, like you said, although it's not clear. The green circle looks to be a fiber to copper converter, or "bridge".

You have some trial and error work to do to figure out where the ports on the patch panel (red) actually go to. If you have a laptop, that would be best, but a loopback adapter would work as well.

For now, you have a link light on the yellow switch. that goes to the router, correct? take a ethernet patch cable and plug it into the yellow sswitch on port 2 (or any other port) and plug it into port on the patch panel that you aren't sure where it goes. If you don't get a link light right away on the switch, then you know there's no device on the other end.

Now take a laptop, or loopback adapter and go start checking ports. If the in-wall cabling is good, then eventually, through trial and error, you'll get a link light on that port on the yellow switch.

Pain in the butt, yes, make sure as you go and determine what's what..you label everything.


edit: model numbers off the devices would help determine the physical and logical topology.

 

[Ragnarb]

Ahh - but what if a device is connected to the port but isn't turned on, would I still get a link light?

As I said though I did get some extra ports working with the new switch. Now I'm going to take all the ones that are connected to the old switch and connect them to the new one.

One thing I'm curious about though: We have another closet with a patch panel. On hat patch panel there are 4 ports labelled T3.1, T3.2, T3.3, and T3.4. Those same ports are also on this patch panel, and I believe they are just used to connect the closets in some way, am I wrong? There are no T3.1, T3.2, T3.3 and T3.4 ports in the walls. Also I'll add the model numbers in a few.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Ahh - but what if a device is connected to the port but isn't turned on, would I still get a link light?

Depends on the device. That's just part of the trial and error while determining what's is going where. Either turn all the devices on while you troubleshoot, or turn them off and disconnect them from the ports and test with the same process as the rest. IE, laptop/loopback/LAN tester if you have one.

Kinda pricey, I use one of these to test links on ports: http://www.amazon.com/Psiber-Link-Te.../dp/B001F7Q74K

A laptop works just as well for what you need.

One thing I'm curious about though: We have another closet with a patch panel. On hat patch panel there are 4 ports labelled T3.1, T3.2, T3.3, and T3.4. Those same ports are also on this patch panel, and I believe they are just used to connect the closets in some way, am I wrong? There are no T3.1, T3.2, T3.3 and T3.4 ports in the walls. Also I'll add the model numbers in a few.

Very likely if the ports are labeled like that on both sides that those are used to connect the room. Connect a switch port to the T3.1, then go to the other side and plug in something and see if it lights up.

Document everything.

 

[Ragnarb]

Depends on the device. That's just part of the trial and error while determining what's is going where. Either turn all the devices on while you troubleshoot, or turn them off and disconnect them from the ports and test with the same process as the rest. IE, laptop/loopback/LAN tester if you have one.

Kinda pricey, I use one of these to test links on ports: http://www.amazon.com/Psiber-Link-Te.../dp/B001F7Q74K

A laptop works just as well for what you need.



Very likely if the ports are labeled like that on both sides that those are used to connect the room. Connect a switch port to the T3.1, then go to the other side and plug in something and see if it lights up.

Document everything.

Thanks for helping me out. I've been going around with the laptop all day (half-empty office thankfully) and most of the ports seem to be correctly connected. I've also documented every single change I've made, what was where and where I put it, out of fear of ruining something.

 

[ch33zw1z]

:thumbsup: good deal. happy to help!