Do I attach another switch to a switch or both the router?

Question

current topology:
modem->router->switch
I need more ports, so do I just tag another switch onto the switch, or go in parallel with the router?
Goal: max speed transfer.
The switches are gigabit, the router is megabit.

Answer 1

You can do it either way. If you want the maximum throughput among machines connected to the switches, hook the switches together:

modem > router > switch1 > switch2

If you hook both switches to the router, commumincation on hosts connected to different switches will be limited to the port speed of the router, typically 100Mbps.

Since your stated goal is max transfer speed you MUST hook the switches as outlined above.

Answer 2

I would say go with both switched hooked to the router however with the size difference Im not sure how that would work. Most would go with router hooked to both switched. Not Modem>router>switch>switch.

Answer 3

Don't stack the switches, you may run into problems.. go in parallel with the router.

Or you can just replace your current switch with one that has more capacity.

Answer 4

You can add another switch without any appreciable loss in connection quality, switches actually boost the signal to a small degree and give you best throughput . Add another switch connected to your first switch and all will be fine.

Answer 5

Do you have Cisco, Wifi,ADSL? Different setups for each one.copy and paste your question into Google. Take unnecessary words out and rephrase your question. Hope this helped you.