Adding a switch to a router.

[Baitball Blogger]

I need a fifth plug for my router and I was told I should add a switch to increase the capacity for wired connections, because CISCO does not provide more than four. When I asked what a switch looked like, Cisco support referred me to their generic product website. I did searches but came out not the wiser for what a switch looked like nor how much it should cost. I will probably call again in the a.m. for more info. Meanwhile, I thought I would plug this question here to hopefully get some more information. I'm currently using an EA4500.

Thanks in advance.

[PoliticAverse]

1. Switches are fairly generic and can be pretty cheap (<$20). The only questions you need to answer

are do you need a gigabit switch or only a 100 megabit switch and how many things do you need to
plug into it (one of the ports one the switch will be used to connect to your router).

Example $10 8-port 100 megabit switch:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833166035

Example $15 5-port 1 gigabit switch:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833166057

Finally there's no software installation involved with these switches, you just plug it in (one wire goes
from the switch to your router [make sure you have an extra cable for this]) and plug the rest of your
computers into it.

[Baitball Blogger]

5. That's exciting!

I think it's smarter to go with the five port 1 gigabit switch for my needs.

So glad the fix is so easy.

Thanks!

[PoliticAverse]

9. Note (as I wrote in another post) adding a 5 port switch to a 4 port router will only add 3 extra

ports, since one port on the router will be needed to connect to one port on the switch.

[Baitball Blogger]

10. I'm okay with that.

[TreasonousBastard]

2. I've bought switches at Best Buy and other places for 20 bucks or so and...

they work perfectly well when I need 7 or 8 ports. Just be careful you don't accidentally buy a hub, which looks like a switch, but dumb and not that useful. I don't even know if they sell hubs any more, but if they do, don't get one.

You'll see fairly expensive "managed" switches on NewEgg and Tiger Direct-- don't get one. If the cost doesn't scare you off, the work you have to do to get them to work will. They're for larger installations with IT people who know what they're doing. The unmanaged switches are plug & play and work just fine at home or small office.

On the other hand, if you need a new router for any reason, many, like my Netgear router for under a hundred bucks, have five ports. Some other routers may have more.

[Baitball Blogger]

6. Thank you. I'll try the switch first.

It's good to know that I can also buy a netgear 5 port router if I need it.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

3. A recommendation

Your EA4500 operates at gigabit speed. Adding a switch that also operates at gigabit speed is the best choice. Therefore, the Rosewill switch recommended by PoliticAverse is a great choice.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833166057

Here is a youtube video on the setup:

Best of luck with your expansion.

[Baitball Blogger]

7. Thanks! That's were I was leaning.

[PoliticAverse]

4. One thing I should clarify...

Is if you add a 5 port switch to a router that has 4 ports you actually end up with 7 ports available
instead of 9 (5+4) since one port on the router must be connected to one port on the switch.

So when calculating how many extra ports you will get by adding a switch to a router always take the
number of ports on the switch and subtract 2.

A 5 port switch will give you 3 more ports, an 8 port switch will give you 6 more ports.

[Baitball Blogger]

8. Our guests rely on the wireless,

so I think I only really need just one more port. The second extra port is a benefit.