Router WAN through switch

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Chief1203

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Jun 28, 2017
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I need some help! I just purchased a TP Link Gigabit JetStream Smart Switch and need some help. My house is wired with Cat 6 all the ports are terminated and the cable modem is in the basement. Unfortunately, if the router (Apple Time Capsule) is in the basement the wifi signal is horrible upstairs.

I currently have the system wired as follows:

Modem SB6183>TPLink Switch>Time Capsule. By connecting the time capsule through the switch I can then move that router out of the basement to improve my wifi signal without purchasing additional wireless equipment. In addition I am concerned that if I do modem>time capsule>switch I won't get the advantage of gigabit since the time capsule is 10/100 only.

Although I can get my wireless devices to connect to the Time Capsule wifi network it does not have any internet connection. The time capsule is currently set to bridge mode.

I am hoping you all can help me out!
 
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You would still need a new router no matter what...you could get one that can supports vlans.

Even if your current router would support vlan tags it is still a bottleneck and it makes it even worse. The cable between the switch and the router is still only 100m. Now the traffic would go over the virtual wan link eating part of the 100m and then go back over the same cable on a different vlan eating even more of the 100m. You pretty much doubled the traffic.

Your main problem is a switch can not do the nat function. Even very advanced switches do not do nat that is a function only a router can do. Your traffic must always pass though the router no matter what fancy cabling you have done.
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Chief1203

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Jun 28, 2017
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Thanks for the info. Just a quick followup to make sure I am understanding.

My Time Capsule router must go between my modem and my switch. In doing that, all hosts connected to the switch will be maxed at 10/100 as the Time Capsule is only 10/100.

To get the hosts to be able to run at 10/100/1000 I need a gigabit router. I can acheive that two ways 1) Modem & Router combo or 2) Gigabit router.

Do you recommend one of the two approaches? Also, any specific product you would recommend for your chosen approach?
 
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bill001g

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Aug 9, 2012
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You are always better off with a separate modem and router. Normally this is a cost question for some people since 2 device cost more than 1. In your case you have a perfectly good modem so you might as well just buy a router. I think the modem you have is the one of the recommended ones for use on the so called 300m or faster connections.

It to a point depends why you want a switch in your basement. If that is where all your lan jacks to your house terminate then you need to place modem,router and switch in the basement. You can then place another route/ap in a remote room to provide better wifi coverage.

There is another fancy solution using smart switches and vlans so you can physically do modem-switch-router but it is not cost effective and is used when you very special requirements.
 
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Chief1203

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Bill, this is the switch I purchased: http://www.tp-link.com/us/products/details/cat-40_T1600G-28PS.html. Isn't that a smart switch, if it is, then shouldn't I be able to do Modem>Switch>Router?
 
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bill001g

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Maybe I should not have added that last comment since now it more or less makes things even more complex. Your switch must support vlan tagging 802.1q. You would then also need a second device on the far end either your router if it supports it or another switch. What you are doing in effect is running 2 cable between the router and the switch. First one goes Modem---vlanA--router wan port. Second one goes router lan port---vlanB--rest of ports on switch. Both vlans are on the same cable.

This is a rather advanced concept if you have never done it before.

Logically the cabling is still modem---router---switch even though your traffic will pass though switch 2 times.
 
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Chief1203

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My router says the following: Support 802.1p CoS/DSCP priority

So I assume I can actually do what yo say. Sadly, I have no clue how!
 
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bill001g

Titan
Aug 9, 2012
28,277
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125,640
You would still need a new router no matter what...you could get one that can supports vlans.

Even if your current router would support vlan tags it is still a bottleneck and it makes it even worse. The cable between the switch and the router is still only 100m. Now the traffic would go over the virtual wan link eating part of the 100m and then go back over the same cable on a different vlan eating even more of the 100m. You pretty much doubled the traffic.

Your main problem is a switch can not do the nat function. Even very advanced switches do not do nat that is a function only a router can do. Your traffic must always pass though the router no matter what fancy cabling you have done.
 
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