Uplink ports

[TechnoPro]

Some switches have them, some don't. My question is why? And when are they used? I always understand that the uplink port was used when conencting multiple switches together. Correct? So with a switch that has no uplink port, a crossover cable would be used instead? Very confused...

 

[Carp1812]

Correct! If your switch has no uplink port and you do not have auto-sensing ports (very nice btw), you must use a crossover cable to connect the switch to another network device (ie. switch, router, hub, etc.).

 

[TechnoPro]

Originally posted by: Carp1812
Correct! If your switch has no uplink port and you do not have auto-sensing ports (very nice btw), you must use a crossover cable to connect the switch to another network device (ie. switch, router, hub, etc.).

Thanks. This is what I thought. I encountered a NetGear 8 port switch yesterday that had no uplink port, at least none that was obviously marked as such. Plus, it had no switch to make the port an uplink as I've worked with before. Being cautious, I obtained the manual and it illustrated connecting that switch to another in an almost casual fashion - ie. no designated port or no crossover cable. I thought about the auto-sensing, but the literature didn't mention it. It must have been, though.