Can you plug one router into another router to expand to more ports. Will it effect the speed?

Answer 1

I'm assuming you are talking about SOHO routers, and yes you can. If you plug one switch port into another switch port of the second router (not the WAN port) it will allow you to use the other ports. By doing this you aren't using the routing function at all, merely using it as a layer 2 switch.

Really what you probably want is a small switch though to provide you the additional ports.

Answer 2

Yes and no - and it depends on the router. If you plug a router into a router - Its going to try and give an IP address to the other.

Which wont fly.

You *CAN* do this if your router has the ability to turn into a switch (or bridged mode) its pretty much just a daisy chain at that point, and really wont effect the speed (none that youll see) unless you have tons of traffic over it.

The easiest way is to just get a small switch (linksys sells small switches for about 40 bucks for an 8 port) and plug port 4 (or whatever the last port on your router is) into the switch, then have all your extra computers/printers attached to the switch.

Therefore you have the switch hooked to the router, and the computers can still talk to the router, and gain IP addresses/gain internet access.

Answer 3

Yes, your router should have one port labels uplink. Use that port to connect it to another router, but you'll need a crossover cable. This will not affect the speed noticeably.

Answer 4

Yes, you can, though you don't need a router, you could just buy a cheap hub.

But if you've got it already, you can, but you'll have to log onto the "hub" one and turn off things like DHCP service, and firewall, so only one does the routing, and the other one just functions like a hub.

Answer 5

You just need a switch or a hub, not a router.