Is using 1 router port ok

[Jeneraljoe]

Hi and Thanks for viewing
I have a small home network using ASUS Black Diamond Dual-Band Wireless-N 600 Router (RT-N56U) This router sits on my desk on main floor of house, I drilled a hole to basement and connected cat6 cable to 5 port switch. I then use the 4 other ports to expand network througout house. I have 3 other switches down that same line.
HERE IS MY QUESTION

Does it matter that I run all my connections from this switch (all ports used and signal also split 3 more times with switches) to just one port on router?

I'm assuming it's ok but you know what they say about assuming

Joe

 

[Nerre]

You router has a built in switch, using the built in switch or an external switch should not matter. Note though that if you have more switches you might get situations where two connection need to share the same link.

Say you have 3 switches, A, B and C.

Switch A is you mains switch, switch B is connected to port 1 on switch A and switch C is connected to port 2.

Then you have devices connected to both switch B and C. Traffic from a device on switch B communicating with a device on switch C will pass switch B, switch A port 1, switch A port 2 and switch C. Now, if TWO devices on switch C are connecting to TWO devices on switch C both these connections will share the bandwidth of ports 1 and 2 on switch A. So that link becomes a bottleneck.

This doesn't have anything to do with your router though It's just how you need to think when using more than one switch. Which connections will have to be shared by several devices?

If switch A for example is a gigbit switch and switches B and C have a gigibit uplink port but the devices are only 100 Mbit you will have not problems since the gigabit links will handle 10 100 Mbit conenctions.

 

[Pain]

To add to the above, If I have to use multiple switches, which is common, I always try to keep all servers and shared resources on one switch, the core.

From the core you can go to other switches, but avoid daisy chaining switches, i.e. going from the core to switch B, then from B to C. Always plug every other switch into the core switch, if at all possible.

 

[Jeneraljoe]

Thanks

Thanks for reply
Ok to clarify how my network is used, basically everything is for streaming videos, playing xbox or computer games.

Is it a best practice to use all the ports on router (which means I have to run more cables to basement) or can I use the one cable that runs to basement and still get "best" streaming/gaming speed.?

 

[CaptainSTX]

Every switch/router on an active network adds some latency to the response time. That being said I would certainly try your proposed setup and if it works great. You can always run the additional cables later if you have problems.

If you are streaming video from online sources your Internet connection will probably be the bottle neck. If you are streaming from a server on your LAN then how it is setup will be the bottle neck.