1 router 2 switches configuration

[Gamer]

Hi, I'm busy replacing all my old home network cabling and will also replace my very ancient 10/100 unmanaged switches with 10/100/1000 unmanaged switches.

This got me questioning which is the best configuration for 2 unmanaged switches with 1 router.

Is it option A or option B, and why please? Is there another option I don't know about?

Thanks

 

[Napalm2880]

Is this Jannie's house? Assuming 8 ports per switch and 4 in your router = 20 (-4) Ethernet ports in your house. :wtf:

Routers usually come with 4 Ethernet ports and that's enough for most people. If you own a double story or you're too lazy to run cable (me), ethernet over power-line connectors are a good alternative.

 

[bekdik]

If your router ethernet speed is not 1000, connect the router & switch 2 to switch 1 so that it doesn't slow down switch 1 to switch 2 traffic

 

[Gamer]

If your router ethernet speed is not 1000, connect the router & switch 2 to switch 1 so that it doesn't slow down switch 1 to switch 2 traffic

Thanks, AC68U, all ports are 1000.

 

[bin3]

How much traffic between switch 1 and 2 ?

If a lot of East/West traffic, then I would go for Option A.
If most traffic is North/South (internet bound) then I would go Option B

 

[sajunky]

Don't worry about traffic, other factors matter.
Why you go with unmanaged switches while a managed switch cost almost the same? Get TP-Link SG108E v3, you can set traffic limits on particular ports and setup VLAN's for your Internet thingy devices.

With A option you have better control what comes out of the switches.

 

[Thor]

I do ZyXell VDSL -> Ubiquiti USG -> 24 port Gigabit unifi switch -> ether plugs, PCs and Unifi APs

 

[Gamer]

Don't worry about traffic, other factors matter.
Why you go with unmanaged switches while a managed switch cost almost the same? Get TP-Link SG108E v3, you can set traffic limits on particular ports and setup VLAN's for your Internet thingy devices.

With A option you have better control what comes out of the switches.

Thanks, yes, I am now leaning towards managed switch. Which would offer more management, the TP Link you've suggested or Mikrotik switch with SwitchOS?

 

[sajunky]

Thanks, yes, I am now leaning towards managed switch. Which would offer more management, the TP Link you've suggested or Mikrotik switch with SwitchOS?

Mikrotik may do switch port management in software, it will slow down your local traffic. But check RB750r3 series, it use the same hardware as EdgeRouter X with a hardware switch ports. Be warned that once you enable more advanced option (like QoS) you will lose hardware offloading functions.

See my project how I deal with hardware limitations, there is also discussion of hardware offloading on such routers, I think it is a good starting point: https://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showth...ice-amp-home-network-project-feedback-welcome