Uplinks-when to use

[L8CS]

Now I'm really lost.

Why can't I plug two different hubs or combo hub/switches into individual ports on a multi-port 10/100 Cable/Dsl Router? I'm under the impression that I have to run the hubs in series via their uplink ports until I reach the router. Logistically, it doesn't make since. Please show me the light.

 

[ScottMac]

The uplink ports are used instead of a crossover cable. So, if you're using regular port-to-regular port, use a crossover. If you want to cascade to ONE other switch/hub, then go from the regular port of the additional to the uplink port of the "root" switch/hub/router.

You could have four other switches/hubs connect back to your root switch/router...you could fill every port with a connection to another hub/switch if you wanted to....but the cabling has to be right for the type of connection.

Standard port to standard port : crossover
Standard port to uplink port: straight through (a standard, normal Cat5-ish kinda cable)

Also be aware that many hubs/switches with uplink ports will share a transceiver with the port next to it: that means, you can use one or the other, but not both at the same time (there will always be one unused hole in the switch).

I'm not talking about the "WAN" port on the router...that's a separate issue of the same flavor.

Good Luck

Scott

 

[Nutz]

Scott,

Whats the most Switches you can cascade? I know hubs need to follow the 5-4-3 rule, but with switches its a whole new ballgame. As far as I know, as long as you don't go over the max bit times spec'd for 10BaseT or 100BaseT you should be alright.

 

[spidey07]

using default spanning-tree settings you can have a maximum of 7 switches in any one path. Also called network diameter. Some switches allow you to change spanning tree parameters to get around this, but if you have 7 switches in a single path you have other design issues to deal with first and changing spanningtree should be your last resort.

This is also why when you start hooking many switches together you need to really pay attention to it. Another reason why I don't like stacking 4 or 8 switches togeter in a closet - if you need that many ports buy a chassis.

the max diameter of 7 is off the top of my head so there is no guarantee written or implied regarding the information presented in this post pursuant to "cover your a$$" article 12.5.6-a of the spidey rules.

 

[L8CS]

<<The uplink ports are used instead of a crossover cable>>

Fantastic,
Now it all makes since and the crossover cabling issue makes it so much easier on the installation. Now I can use the "star"configuration and run the two workgroup cables directly to the router location. I can mount one switch next to the router and use a "crossover" patch cord plugging that into a regular port on the router. I can then use a standard "straight" cord from my other switch which runs a seperate workgroup in another room, and hook that into the router via the uplink port.

That was the biggest hangup because I couldn't chose a router untill I knew how many ports I would need. Now I can get a four port Cable/Dsl Router like a Netgear RT314 and be off and running.

Thanks ScottMac

 

[JackMDS]

CAT5 Straight, Crossover. What is CAT5, which one should I Use?

 

[ScottMac]

No problem, glad It was helpful.

"Service is my life"


FWIW

Scott