Switch and Router

[dantheman98]

I have a Toshiba cable modem and a 3Com 4port Switch. I want to add a router for security reasons. Can I hook the switch up to the Router and still be protected?

Thanks

[YeOldeStonecat]

Yes......well lets start with...most of the home market routers now have a built in 4 port 10/100 switch....on the LAN side. So if you have 1-4 computers on your LAN....all you need is 1) Your broadband modem, and 2) the router.

But if you have more computers than that, you can easily uplink another hub or switch to the LAN side of the router.

Modem==>Router==> Computers/Hub-or-switch/more computers.

[dantheman98]

Would the switch connect to the uplink port of the router or any port? Because I know that not all routers have uplinks, just WAN ports. And Thank You.

[YeOldeStonecat]

Uplink of router to standard port on switch
or
Standard port on router to uplink port on switch

Both the above with standard patch cables.

[zxc47]

dantheman98 I don't see why you would need a switch if you add a router . Most home routers have 4 or 8 switch built in . unless you have alot of computers.

[dantheman98]

Good question, I bought the 3com switch years ago, and it was expensive so I wanted it to "pay for itself". Also the switch has port 1 for computer1 port 2 for computer2 port3 empty and port4 for uplink to cable modem. I'm going to build a cheap computer in the very near future which would use port3 with no room for scalability.

[YeOldeStonecat]

Originally posted by dantheman98
Good question, I bought the 3com switch years ago, and it was expensive so I wanted it to "pay for itself". Also the switch has port 1 for computer1 port 2 for computer2 port3 empty and port4 for uplink to cable modem. I'm going to build a cheap computer in the very near future which would use port3 with no room for scalability.

I see your point there...looking over to my right....I have a 3COM SuperStack II which was probably around 800 dollars brand new. But at the moment, I only have 3x computers running in my house....so I'm just using the 4 port switch built into my Nexland router. Having a router, plus a switch...if you want to count your "cost of running".....only using a router will lessen your electricity bills...adding a switch running full time will increase your monthly electricity usage...and therefore bill.

Not by much...granted hubs and switches really don't use much electricity...

[TonyT]

dantheman98 seen at local computer shop buying 3'000' of cat5 cable and connectors...next seen stringing lines to neighbors' homes....plugs lines into switch...collect $ to pay for newly built computer.

[YeOldeStonecat]

Originally posted by TonyT
dantheman98 seen at local computer shop buying 3'000' of cat5 cable and connectors...next seen stringing lines to neighbors' homes....plugs lines into switch...collect $ to pay for newly built computer.

LOL