Is it wise to use multiple Ethernet connections from router to switch?

I just rewired my house using Cat 6 and installed a patch panel and a D-Link DGS-1024D 10/100/1000 24 port switch. I have a Netgear WNDR3700 Router connected to a ATT DSL bridge. I am upgrading to U-verse and a 12Mbps internet connection. My question is; I have a 4 port switch on my router which I presently have one ethernet cable connected to the 24 port switch, would I gain any advantage or disadvantage to connecting another Ethernet line between the router and switch or even all four ports? I have 6 open ports on my switch.

I know my internet connection is way slower than the single connection as is, but my son loves his x-box live gaming and I like to watch Hulu/Netflix at the same time. Would there be any advantage at all? I personally think the only advantage would be redundancy, but could it cause a delay of some kind?

Thanks Robert

I haven't really heard of this, but I would not advise connecting more than one cable from the router to the switch. This would avoid possible "confusion" of DHCP assignments.

Also, since the traffic will only flow through that single cable when it is going to the internet, the amount of traffic would not bottleneck a Cat 6 cable (your internet connection is the bottleneck). Hence the heavier and speedier traffic between your LAN computers will flow only through the switch.

Thank you, that is what I thought. I was in the middle of my 110 punch downs on my patch panel and thought I would ask just to make sure. Thanks again.