Connecting switch to router ? - Adding more internet ports.

[Dave227]

Okay, I thought I understood how switches work, but apparently not.

I have a home network running from a cable modem to a netgear wireless N600 (WNDR3400) 4 port router. I need a way to plug five devices into it. I thought I could just plug a cable from one of the ports into a switch (Netgear FS605 fast 10/100 switch) and then plug in my two devices to that (a desktop computer and ps3). But when I do, I can't get anything plugged into it to access the internet. I e-mailed this to netgear, and they suggested the FVS models, which appear to be firewalls costing more than $100 more than the current switch. Do I really need that just to have internet to five plugged in devices?

This is extra annoying because I had a great setup before with a Linksys BEFW11S4 wireless-B router plugged into a very old netgear EN104tp hub, and it did just fine with all five devices having internet access. Unfortunately that router died, and the new netgear router does not seem to recognize the 10+ year hub. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[glynie]

I've seen this before. I'm pretty sure the problem is caused by the individual cable connections inside the socket, they're very sensitive and if they're not done right, it'll cause this.

 

[cbconsult]

I have a similar issue I am trying to resolve. We have a network that includes a modem >router >3 different switches > each of the switches has various computers, printers, etc on the switch.

Currently all 3 of the switches are operational.
However I am trying to change out 1 of the switches, as it is quite old (more than 8+ years) and I am worried it will fail - (as another of the switches on the network recently failed, but was able to be successfully replaced with 'simple plug and use'.)

On this particular switch where I am having the trouble in making a replacement, the current old switch is a Netgear gigabite switch, and as said it is functioning.

When I try to replace it however the replacement switch is not working.

I have now tried 3 different new switches and none of them will work. I have tried 2 separate TP-link switches and 1 D-link switch and had the same results with all 3 of them.

Initially I brought in a TP-link and tried it with no success. Talked to the Tp-link tech people and they felt it must be defective and said to return it. Then I brought in a D-link switch and the same results happened. Talked to D-link tech support and they also felt that their switch must be defective and said to return it.

Then I decided to take one of the working switches off the other end of the network and see if it would work- as I was know for sure it works on the other end of the network. It was another TP-link switch. But when I took it from one end of the network and put in the area where I was trying to replace out the old switch, it would not work either.

It did seem to make a connection (as the other returned switches also did) as evidenced by the show of green lights on the device. But it seemed to find a "unidentified network" and never could find my existing network.

At this point I am imagining that that since the issue was the same with all switches, even the one that I know for sure works on the network in another location, but will not work when moved - now I am imagining that the issue is not with the switches, even those the tech support people said were defective and to return.

In some of the info above, it is being suggested that the issue for a problem like this could be cable. But if the cable is working with the older switch that I want to replace wouldn't it stand to reason that the cable should work with another switch as well. With the old switch it works -- pull the cable --- plug in the cable -- new switch does not work. The cable is the same cable.

I wanted to get some more thoughts about this issue if possible before I try and tackle cable as in this case the cable that goes to the switch runs thru a wall connection and up into an attic for a long distance before it is dropped down to another wall connection and then with the cable into the router. (It will be a huge job replacing this cable.)

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[kdmedic]

Hello,
I had the same problem with several different btand switches, Linksys, Cisco (upgrade of Linksys), Netgear, D Link.....

I have a router (TP link Archer C7) to an 8 port switch then to my living room and three separate bed rooms. On the router from the 4 ports I feed my main computer, Magic Jack, the main 8 port switch and my 8 port switch next to the main computer. The extra wwitches all feed entertainment setups. Blueray players, cable boxes, smart TVs, and xbox, PS3, Will.
a 5 port in every room would do but for $5 more I go for 8.

So anyway getting this mess to work was finally resolved when I found a TRENDnet 8-Port Unmanaged Gigabit GREENnet Desktop Metal Housing Switch, TEG-S80g on amazon new at $19 3 years ago or so and I bought 3.

Let me tell you, I plugged them in, rebooted my router and main hub and blam its all working.
So I pulled the Cisco 5 port from my kids room (his never worked) put one in and it works. Now this is from router to main TN 8 port to his TN 8 port and then his xbox.
I was surprised it works.

So go to amazon and either get the 80G for $29 or the newest one, a 82G for $24.
If it doesn't work Amazon will take it back.