Quick Networking Question

[xane]

My current home LAN setup has a 5-port switch connected via the "uplink" to a 4-port hub, giving me seven connections.

However, I want to network in two computers from another room, and rather than run two separate CAT5 cables I was thinking of buying another switch, then using the "uplink" to connect via a single cable to my existing switch and then connecting the two computers to this new switch.

Will it work ? What problems can I get from having a switch uplinked to another switch (seems to work fine with a switch/hub) ?

P.S. I believe the "uplink" is a special port that effectively converts a normal CAT5 cable into a crossove, thereby allowing two similar devices to talk to each other.

 

[Covenant]

My current home LAN setup has a 5-port switch connected via the "uplink" to a 4-port hub, giving me seven connections.

However, I want to network in two computers from another room, and rather than run two separate CAT5 cables I was thinking of buying another switch, then using the "uplink" to connect via a single cable to my existing switch and then connecting the two computers to this new switch.

Will it work ? What problems can I get from having a switch uplinked to another switch (seems to work fine with a switch/hub) ?

It should work fine - a lot of places cascade switches and hubs like this for expanded connectivity.

It may be an idea to get a crossover cable to go between the switches, rather than relying upon the MDI/X switch, just in case there's some odd firmware on the hardware that prevents it from uplinking more than one port in that fashion.

There are, of course, switches that auto-uplink, like the NetGear FS605 (ugly as sin, tho - I preferred the blue NetGear design )

 

[Insane]

within network schematics you can only ever have up to 4 hubs daisy-chained together before the collisions become too much.

switches your fine with up till 6, then you loose the natural heirarchy from them, then you need to go layer 3 managed.

you'll be fine to add another switch, just set it up so both the hub and switch connects into the same switch (i.e. port 4 and port 5 on the 5port)
as long as one port is uplink and the other is normal on the uplink cable, you wont have any problems..

just dont uplink two auto-detect switches together, or it'll auto-negotiate for ages when it looses power

 

[xane]

I saw an FS605 in the "bargain bin" at PC World, it was still priced higher than an online store !

A quick check online and I can get a "value" 5-port switch for around £10 !

 

[Insane]

I saw an FS605 in the "bargain bin" at PC World, it was still priced higher than an online store !

A quick check online and I can get a "value" 5-port switch for around £10 !

never bother with PC World

and the bargain bins are always 2nd hand kit with 10% off their retail price.

what you could do is buy two wireless cards and a wireless bridge if you feel daring enough means no need for a network cable going 1/2 way across the house

 

[xane]

what you could do is buy two wireless cards and a wireless bridge if you feel daring enough means no need for a network cable going 1/2 way across the house

At some point I want to get a wireless access point, for a "concept" PC I've been thing of doing.

But for this setup I'll stick to wired, mainly for cost, security and performance, but also because one of the PCs has an Asus A7N8X mobo which has already got two built-in LAN devices !

Out of interest, I can see CAT5 cables up to 15m long, is that about the limit for them, would that still work with 100Mbit ?

 

[Insane]

cat5e can run up to 100m easily with good signal, i've seen cat5 at over 600m with no severe problems, it was a bit patchy during long operations but it worked...

the 600m was running up a cable gangway suspended 40ft in the air in a factory floor with those road cranes 'n all that in it, so there was a LOT of interference with power 'n what not in it.

most shops only sell 15m cables as thats the longest most people will need, to get longer you need to go to specialist shops, or make your own.

 

[Covenant]

Out of interest, I can see CAT5 cables up to 15m long, is that about the limit for them, would that still work with 100Mbit ?

Maximum length for a Cat5e cable is 100m before signal attenuation, at which point you'll need a repeater to "boost" the signal strength.

15m is about the general length of a fly lead for sale - anything longer is normally home made.

Wireless is good for this, but you need to be aware of the security issues inherent in the 802.11x standard.

 

[RandomBastard]

Belkin sell 25m ones i have one at home.

 

[Mellow]

Maximum length for a Cat5e cable is 100m before signal attenuation, at which point you'll need a repeater to "boost" the signal strength.

If you use this route you'll need to remember that repeaters repeat line noise as well as data packets.