managed switch and router

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ganeshmks

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Sep 17, 2015
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I'm moving into a new home and planning to setup wireless, wired connection to all rooms. Here is what I have so far
1) Netgear Nethawk router
2) Zyxel 24 port GS1900 managed switch
3) Cable modem

Due to my router and managed switch, I'm not sure which one will manage what and how to configure each one. Also who will act as firewall and DHCP and how the network will be managed? I would like to :

1) Connect modem to router for both wireless and wired connection to internet
2) Connect all four wired of ports from router into managed switch for bandwidth and proper internet for wired connections.
3) Connect all wired equipments directly to switch
4) Connect data connections to each room directly into switch. Each room will have a 8 port unmanaged switch.


 
Solution
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You have little option it must go modem---router---switch.

Just because the switch is managed does not mean it has all the features of a router. You have a layer2 managed switch which pretty much means the only big features it has over a unmanged one is that is supports vlans. You likely will see very little benefit to have a managed switch in your configuration. You will need to run all the function on your nethawk router.

You only want to plug a single cable between the router and the switch. Pretty much 1 of 2 things will happen. You will get a massive broadcast loop that takes everything down or the switch is smart and detects this loop and blocks 3 of the 4 ports.

Now lets assume the router would have the support...
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kanewolf

kanewolf

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Connecting more than one port from the router to the switch won't benefit you. It will be a gigabit link, and that will be greater than your WAN speed. Even with a managed switch, unless the router supports LAG groups, you will only cause problems.

Generally the router is your DHCP and firewall unless you choose to create a pfSense firewall or similar.

No configuration is REQUIRED on a managed switch with a factory config. It will act like a dumb switch.
 
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bill001g

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Aug 9, 2012
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You have little option it must go modem---router---switch.

Just because the switch is managed does not mean it has all the features of a router. You have a layer2 managed switch which pretty much means the only big features it has over a unmanged one is that is supports vlans. You likely will see very little benefit to have a managed switch in your configuration. You will need to run all the function on your nethawk router.

You only want to plug a single cable between the router and the switch. Pretty much 1 of 2 things will happen. You will get a massive broadcast loop that takes everything down or the switch is smart and detects this loop and blocks 3 of the 4 ports.

Now lets assume the router would have the support to bond ports. It will still only have a single 1g connection between the router and the modem and even then does the internet connection coming into the modem run even 1g.
 
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Solution
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ganeshmks

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Sep 17, 2015
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Thanks for the quick reply. If the switch is going to act dumb, can I still take advantage of QoS, monitoring, port mirroring etc.

Also the switch by default will act as DHCP and take over 192.168.1.1?




 
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bill001g

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You need to change the IP to something that does not conflict with your router. The IP is only used to manage the switch it does not have any DHCP ability or any ability to route.

You can use those features if you like. If you even need to think about QoS on a layer 2 switch you have a massive design issues. Almost all swtiches including most better layer3 switches run at what is called wirespeed. This means you should never have queues on ports.
 
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jfinkow

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Dec 31, 2007
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Just wanted to say thank you. Plus, that "...massive broadcast loop that takes everything down..." is so funny - and accurate at the same time. Thank you again.
 
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