Linking multiple network switches together

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QuackPipe

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#236302 27-May-2018 21:36

We've got a house that was networked cabled before we moved in and the way it has been done is basically 3 Cat6 cables running back to a central point in the garage.

Cable 1 goes to lounge area (Left side of house)

Cable 2 goes to study (centre of house)

Cable 3 goes to master bedroom (Right side of house)

Can I plug network switches into each location to service multiple devices for those areas?

a rough mock up of what I'm trying to achieve. Is the switch going to the router overkill? seeing as its a 4 port router can I just run all 3 back to the router?

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'That VDSL Cat'
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#2023610 27-May-2018 21:38

Absolutely.

Just remember where the point of failure is in the loop :)

If possible stick to 1G for the uplinks atleast as that pushes out the chance of any sort of backhaul congestion.

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QuackPipe

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#2023612 27-May-2018 21:43

Awesome! thanks @hio77

Am I right thinking the switch back into the router is unnecessary?

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hio77

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#2023614 27-May-2018 21:45

QuackPipe:

Awesome! thanks @hio77

Am I right thinking the switch back into the router is unnecessary?

Completely depends on your setup tbh.

If there is no gain by it going throgh the switch, then yeah i'd do it straight from the modem.

But if say, your modem has say; 100Mbit ports, then a switch would be a better idea.

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QuackPipe

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#2023630 27-May-2018 21:59

Gotcha, they are all gigabit ports. Thanks, really appreciate the help

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richms

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#2023665 27-May-2018 22:17

Some routers take each port into the CPU rather than use the hardware switch for what its best at, so you may see a performance hit between ports. Also if its the netcomm with the not admitted to but widely experianced problems with the switch in it stopping learning where things are you may find weird things happen where some devices stop seeing each other. For what a small gigabit switch costs I would just stick one in everywhere.

Richard rich.ms

QuackPipe

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#2023667 27-May-2018 22:25

richms:

Some routers take each port into the CPU rather than use the hardware switch for what its best at, so you may see a performance hit between ports. Also if its the netcomm with the not admitted to but widely experianced problems with the switch in it stopping learning where things are you may find weird things happen where some devices stop seeing each other. For what a small gigabit switch costs I would just stick one in everywhere.

Yep, ISP supplied Netcomm NF15ACV.

Looking to replace with an Edgerouter, might be worth doing at the same time.

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hio77

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#2023668 27-May-2018 22:26

QuackPipe:

richms:

Some routers take each port into the CPU rather than use the hardware switch for what its best at, so you may see a performance hit between ports. Also if its the netcomm with the not admitted to but widely experianced problems with the switch in it stopping learning where things are you may find weird things happen where some devices stop seeing each other. For what a small gigabit switch costs I would just stick one in everywhere.

Yep, ISP supplied Netcomm NF15ACV.

Looking to replace with an Edgerouter, might be worth doing at the same time.

Yeah, i'd replace that trustpower thing ;)

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

QuackPipe

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#2023670 27-May-2018 22:28

hio77:

QuackPipe:

richms:

Some routers take each port into the CPU rather than use the hardware switch for what its best at, so you may see a performance hit between ports. Also if its the netcomm with the not admitted to but widely experianced problems with the switch in it stopping learning where things are you may find weird things happen where some devices stop seeing each other. For what a small gigabit switch costs I would just stick one in everywhere.

Yep, ISP supplied Netcomm NF15ACV.

Looking to replace with an Edgerouter, might be worth doing at the same time.

Yeah, i'd replace that trustpower thing ;)

And Trustpower too :-)

Bear attack tip #6

If attacked by a bear, play dead....

It will be good practice for when you die a couple minutes later.

Tinkerisk

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#2023690 28-May-2018 03:19

If all four switches support LAG (Link aggregation) you could further multiple the throughput within your internal network between the clients.

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cyril7

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#2023696 28-May-2018 06:26

Tinkerisk:

If all four switches support LAG (Link aggregation) you could further multiple the throughput within your internal network between the clients.

Hi, good idea, but I think the OP said only had one cat6 to each location, so that stuffs that.

To the OP, as Hio77 has stated your idea is the best for the situation, just be aware that loops (ie one of the ports of one switch can be plugged back into another) is a potential issue, but I am guessing without very long fly leads its not going to happen. Use Gig switches to ensure this backbone is as fast as it can go.

Cyril

freakngeek

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#2023699 28-May-2018 07:13

How many devices round the house would come to using any where near 1gbps?
Even 1Gbps UFB with a heap of users all round the house can't exceed 1Gbps total

Unless you have a server with many users accessing it at once transferring files and totaling over 1Gbps will you notice anything
How you've drawn setup looks good

I'd be more worried about Wifi, and how you set that up, as most devices are wireless these days

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#2023716 28-May-2018 08:35

freakngeek:

How many devices round the house would come to using any where near 1gbps?
Even 1Gbps UFB with a heap of users all round the house can't exceed 1Gbps total

Unless you have a server with many users accessing it at once transferring files and totaling over 1Gbps will you notice anything
How you've drawn setup looks good

I'd be more worried about Wifi, and how you set that up, as most devices are wireless these days

Yup. We're on VDSL that tops out around 40Mb/sec so haven't bothered with more expensive gigabit or managed switches, and have implemented an almost identical topology to that desired by the OP with a few $20 10/100 unmanaged switches from pbtech. Just plugged them in and it just works.

All I need is that the devices would get the internet and be able to stream music and HD video - I don't need to move large data files around the house.

antoniosk

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#2023722 28-May-2018 09:10

QuackPipe:

Hi

We've got a house that was networked cabled before we moved in and the way it has been done is basically 3 Cat6 cables running back to a central point in the garage.

Can I plug network switches into each location to service multiple devices for those areas?

a rough mock up of what I'm trying to achieve. Is the switch going to the router overkill? seeing as its a 4 port router can I just run all 3 back to the router?

"Can I plug network switches into each location to service multiple devices for those areas?"

Absolutely. You should also check your cat6 cables are giving you 1gbps throughput as well (a LAN tester app is always useful - it's not what the ports handshake on, it's what actually happens that matters)

"Is the switch going to the router overkill? seeing as its a 4 port router can I just run all 3 back to the router?"

Technically the 4 ports are a built-in switch with your router, for convenience and aesthetics... but as others have mentioned, how the electronics are integrated and how packets flow can always. Imagine traffic going from device on switch 1 to device on switch 3.... good switching is to just let traffic flow... but $5 chips restrict many things.

I have a bunch of consumer electronic gear from which hang Wireless AP's, streaming boxes, NAS drives and so on... it's quite satisfying to do a little tracing and see where your choke points are, a little like building irrigation for the garden and having to distribute water with equal pressure all over your garden, from just one tap!

________

Antoniosk

QuackPipe

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#2023728 28-May-2018 09:23

freakngeek:

How many devices round the house would come to using any where near 1gbps?
Even 1Gbps UFB with a heap of users all round the house can't exceed 1Gbps total

Unless you have a server with many users accessing it at once transferring files and totaling over 1Gbps will you notice anything
How you've drawn setup looks good

I'd be more worried about Wifi, and how you set that up, as most devices are wireless these days

None. Most of the devices are streaming devices like ATV, Smart TV's, a couple gaming consoles and a couple PC's all hardwired

The only Wifi devices are, an iPad, phones and a laptop (which is hardwired most times)

For Wifi I'm thinking I'll start with an AP centralized and if that isn't enough I'll grab another and go left and right.

Currently, I'm bridging another router down to the other end of the house which works great but it was only for the interim.

Bear attack tip #6

If attacked by a bear, play dead....

It will be good practice for when you die a couple minutes later.

Tinkerisk

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#2023983 28-May-2018 14:53

cyril7:

Tinkerisk:

If all four switches support LAG (Link aggregation) you could further multiple the throughput within your internal network between the clients.

Hi, good idea, but I think the OP said only had one cat6 to each location, so that stuffs that.

True when he has no conduits running through the house to add wires easily.

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