too many network devices?

[Michael C]

I've got a cable modem that connects to a router. The router only has 4
ports so I've connected a 5 port switch to the router. I've also got a
seperate wireless access point. What I'm finding is if the access point is
connected to the switch then it doesn't work properly but does work when
connected to the router. When connected to the switch we get PC->Access
Point->Switch->Router->Modem->Internet. I remember reading something about
there being a max no of devices that can connect in sequence, have I
exceeded this limit? It's a bit of a hassle if I have because that means
most of the network points in my house can't have a switch added if I need
more than 1 machine in a room. Is there any way around this (assuming that's
the problem).

Thanks for listening
Mike

 

[Rod Speed]

I've got a cable modem that connects to a router. The router only has 4 ports so I've connected a
5 port switch to the router. I've also
got a seperate wireless access point. What I'm finding is if the
access point is connected to the switch then it doesn't work properly
but does work when connected to the router. When connected to the
switch we get PC->Access Point->Switch->Router->Modem->Internet. I remember reading something
about there being a max no of devices that can connect in sequence,

No there isnt in that sense.

have I exceeded this limit?
Nope.

It's a bit of a hassle if I have because that means most of the network points in my house can't
have a switch added if I need more than 1 machine in a room.

You can do that fine.

Is there any way around this (assuming that's the problem).

It isnt the problem.

Just connect the access point directly to the router and do what is convenient
with the other stuff that needs to connect to the router switch wise.

 

[kony]

I've got a cable modem that connects to a router. The router only has 4
ports so I've connected a 5 port switch to the router. I've also got a
seperate wireless access point. What I'm finding is if the access point is
connected to the switch then it doesn't work properly but does work when
connected to the router.

It should work fine connected to the switch. What exactly
does "doesn't work properly", mean? Also, if it works
connected directly to the router, why not just leave it
there? Does this place it where it is too far to get a
reliable connection? If so, are you sure the PCs aren't the
problem? Is it possible that it is the other way around
that the distance from the PCs (or something interfering
with the signal) is the issue when located in another area
attached to the switch instead of the router?

When connected to the switch we get PC->Access
Point->Switch->Router->Modem->Internet. I remember reading something about
there being a max no of devices that can connect in sequence, have I
exceeded this limit?
No.



It's a bit of a hassle if I have because that means
most of the network points in my house can't have a switch added if I need
more than 1 machine in a room. Is there any way around this (assuming that's
the problem).

You need to determine why the access point isn't working, as
it isn't because there is a switch. If it is a
proximity/signal strength issue, you might see if it works
properly with one of the PCs (temporarily?) located closer
to the access point.

 

[Mike Walsh]

When connecting two switches together you should use a bridge port on each device. It is common for commercial switches to have a port that can be configured for a bridge. I have never seen a consumer router with a bridge port.

 

[Gerard Bok]

I've got a cable modem that connects to a router. The router only has 4
ports so I've connected a 5 port switch to the router. I've also got a
seperate wireless access point. What I'm finding is if the access point is
connected to the switch then it doesn't work properly

Probably the most likely cause: Both your router and the AP have
DHCP enabled.

Switch of the DHCP-server in the AP
(If it asks to be a DHCP-client: no problem. Just don't let it be
a DHCP server)

 

[Rod Speed]

When connecting two switches together you should use a bridge port on
each device. It is common for commercial switches to have a port that
can be configured for a bridge. I have never seen a consumer router
with a bridge port.

There's plenty of consumer routers that auto detect a switch.

 

[DaveW]

You have overstessed the system. You should have an 8-Port router at the
initial site; not a 4-port router with a switch added. The need for the
DHCP server in the router to assign IP addresses to all the attached network
devices is being hampered.

 

[Rod Speed]

You have overstessed the system. You should have an 8-Port router at the initial site; not a
4-port router with a switch added. The need for the DHCP server in the router to assign IP
addresses to all the attached network devices is being hampered.

Wrong, as always.

 

[Michael C]

I've got a cable modem that connects to a router. The router only has 4
ports so I've connected a 5 port switch to the router. I've also got a
seperate wireless access point. What I'm finding is if the access point is
connected to the switch then it doesn't work properly but does work when
connected to the router. When connected to the switch we get PC->Access
Point->Switch->Router->Modem->Internet. I remember reading something about
there being a max no of devices that can connect in sequence, have I
exceeded this limit? It's a bit of a hassle if I have because that means
most of the network points in my house can't have a switch added if I need
more than 1 machine in a room. Is there any way around this (assuming
that's the problem).

Thanks for all the replies everyone. When I said it doesn't work properly it
won't keep a connection to the internet alive, it will start to check emails
say and then just timeout. It will connect to any other machine on the
network fine for windows file sharing but not the internet.

I have DHCP turned off on the access point and the machines are getting IP
addresses as they should. The interesting thing is if I connect a PC like I
mentioned or replace the access point with a switch then it fails in exactly
the same way, ie

PC->AccessPoint->Switch->Router->Modem->Internet
or
PC->Switch->Switch->Router->Modem->Internet

both fail but if I remove the switch from either config then it works fine.
I thought maybe that switch was faulty but it's been working for years.

 

[kony]

I have never seen a consumer router with a bridge port.

They all have either one that can bridge or it autodetects.

 

[kony]

Probably the most likely cause: Both your router and the AP have
DHCP enabled.

Switch of the DHCP-server in the AP
(If it asks to be a DHCP-client: no problem. Just don't let it be
a DHCP server)

Having two DHCP servers can be a problem but it shouldn't
change anything having the switch (or not).

 

[kony]

You have overstessed the system. You should have an 8-Port router at the
initial site; not a 4-port router with a switch added. The need for the
DHCP server in the router to assign IP addresses to all the attached network
devices is being hampered.

Completely wrong, nonsense.

 

[kony]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. When I said it doesn't work properly it
won't keep a connection to the internet alive, it will start to check emails
say and then just timeout. It will connect to any other machine on the
network fine for windows file sharing but not the internet.

I have DHCP turned off on the access point and the machines are getting IP
addresses as they should. The interesting thing is if I connect a PC like I
mentioned or replace the access point with a switch then it fails in exactly
the same way, ie

PC->AccessPoint->Switch->Router->Modem->Internet
or
PC->Switch->Switch->Router->Modem->Internet

both fail but if I remove the switch from either config then it works fine.
I thought maybe that switch was faulty but it's been working for years.

A lot of the passively cooled consumer networking gear has
an (unfortunately) short lifespan because they run hot. You
might open it and inspect the capacitors, leave it open and
see if that helps (though if the capacitors are shot, having
it cooler won't help at this point).

Since replacing the access point with a direct cable
connection to the switch has a similar failure in keeping
connection, it does tend to implicate either the switch or
the cabling.