***Please Help*** Using Dell Powerconnect 2024 switch with Linksys router

Question

I have a 4 port router. I am using 3 ports for computers and the 4th port I have connected to a 24 port Dell switch. The 3 ports hooked directly to computers seem to work fine. I have a Cat5e cable hooked from the 4th port on my router to the 1st port on the switch and I have two orange lights lit up on the switch at the #1 location. No other ports have lights and there appears to be no activity. Do I have something setup incorrectly? Is there something I have to change in the router setup to have it recognize the switch? I am not an expert in this area so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jeff

Message Edited by jeffbags on 09-26-2007 03:42 PM

pjb3 · Answer

I'm a little confused but I'll try to help.  You don't mention what is hooked up to the switch besides being connected to the router.  Most switches have an uplink port for connection to other switches or hubs which is what your router is also.  The uplink port will autosense if you are using a regular or crossover cable and connect correctly.  I'm not sure about the Dell switch, but for a Linksys 8 port switch there are 9 ports.  The eighth port is associated to the uplink port and the only time I have ever had a problem with the switch is if someone plugs into both the 8th port and the uplink port at the same time.  On the Dell switch I would look for a port marked uplink and use that to connect to the router, if none is marked uplink I would use port 24 for the router and start all the other connections from port 1 on up.

jeffbags · Answer

Thanks for your input.  I will try your recommendation.  My switch has different items hooked to it, including dvd players, pre-processor, xbox, printer, etc.  You may have touched on something when you mention crossover cable.  I may run to the store and pick one up since they are inexpensive and this would be an easy check to see if that is the problem.  I will let you know if it works.  If not, I will try your recommendation to use port 24 to connect to my router.   Thanks,   Jeff

pjb3 · Answer

I don't think a crossover cable will help. I looked up the specs for the switch and it says:

Each port supports Auto MDI & MDI-X functionality. When cascading with other switches or hubs, each port can connect directly to a switch or hub with straight through twisted pair cable.

The manual show two switches connected using ports 1 & 3. The default IP address for a LInksys router is 192.168.1.1 so I would try connecting the computer to the switch and see if you car ping 19.168.1.1, you might also try a different cable in case it has been damaged. If I think of anything else I will let you know.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Please Help Using Dell Powerconnect 2024 switch with Linksys router

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