Hi, I am thinking of buying a router but I would like quite a few access points around the house. The router I'm looking at has a built in switch which only has 4 ports so I was wondering how I would go about extending this with a switch. I was wondering if someone could explain to me how I would attach a switch to a router for example do you just plug one into the other with a network cable. The network at the moment has 3 PC's connected via a 5 port switch. Could I just attach the switch to the router from an ethernet socket in the router to an ethernet socket in the switch? Thanks, Jon

Yes you can do that

The switch should have an uplink port. Make sure you plug the router into that. If the switch does not have an uplink port, most do though, you will need a crossover cable to connect. Some switches have a port that can be switched from a standard port to an uplink port. Make sure its switched to uplink. Some switches will auto detect what is plugged into it, either a computer or another network device like a router and adjust themselves automatically. A five port switch suggests to me that you have four standard ports and an uplink port. Check the manual. Stuart

The most definitive explanation I've seen in the net is at: http://www.linksys.com/edu/networkbasics/Linksys%20Networking%20Basics_files/frame.htm You may want to check it out. I don't have any connection to Linksys and there may be others as good as or better than this one.

Thank you for your replies and clarifying things for me. I'm not sure if the switch has got an uplink port or not. It never came with a manual. I will try and find the box it came with but as long as it will work either with an uplink or network cable then that's OK. I am looking at this modem/router at the moment from AOL- http://www.aol.dslshop.co.uk/product_details.asp?idProduct=100 Thanks, Jon

I think this is the switch I have- http://www.mri.co.uk/products/networking/sw5sm.htm

it doesn't look like you have an uplink port. see if the ports are numbered. if there is a "upl" wording or an "X" on it, then that port acts as an uplink. you could always try to see if a straight through cable will work...i doubt it...but worth a try. As Stuart says, you will need a crossover cable. There are a number of ways of getting one: 1. Go you your local computer store. 2. Make one yourself. (Kinda tough if you don't have the right equipment). 3. Ask your friends...comp support guy at work might do you a favor.