2 switches and a Router

[Andrew911tt]

So I have 12 Cat6 cables that are run to my closet. I have 2 8 port gigabit switches and a D-link 655 router.

Question 1 When transferring a file from one computer to another attached to the same switch do the packets make it back to the router?

Question 2 What is the best way to attach everything.

modem -- router -- switch1 -- switch2

modem -- router -- switch1

|------ switch2​

I will be streaming video from a computer to multiple end points (not at the same time)

Thanks for any help
Andrew

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Question 1...generally...no, besides possibly a quick DNS lookup at first (varies based on age of cache on the local machine). But once the heavy transfer starts...it should be port to port on the switch.

Questoin 2...ideally, when you have many switches...you want to distribute evenly, and utilize a "head switch". Other switches uplink into that head switch.
Ideally you want to avoid cascading switches..meaning..you don't want a switch to uplink to another switch which itself uplinks to another switch which itself....

You want one switch at the top
Into it....other switches uplink to it. And on business networks...or heavy traffic SOHO offices that have a server(s)..we'll uplink those directly into the head switch also. And we'll uplink the router to this switch.

Into those other switches (at the next level)..direct links to nodes on the network like PCs, network printers, etc.

This way...the heaviest traffic nodes..(servers, router)...at fed directly to the head switch. And this head switch should be your most powerful, rock solid, fastest switch.

So to look at your examples in question 2...."drawing 2" would be the best approach. If you had a NAS box or "server" that tends to be accessed the most...I'd probably plug that into one of your routers LAN ports also.

UNLESS...you had a main switch that was much better than the built in switch of your router. Say a honkin HP ProCurve ...I'd treat that as your head switch....and uplink your router to that also.

 

[thiggins]

How To Add Ports To A Router