hi i have 1 router and 2 switches with no uplink ports. switch 1 has 16x Ports switch 2 has 5x Ports the router is connected directly to (switch 1)and switch 2 is connected to switch 1 using X-Over cable to normal ports on both ends. the machines that connected to switch 1 can access the internet at high speed (download rate 215KB Sec) no problems.. the machines that connected to switch 2 can access the internet but at a very low speed (download rate is 3KB Sec) even when i try to download files from any computer that is connected to switch 1 locally is very very very slow.. both switches are different make... both switches are about 10M away from each other. i have tried straight and X-Over cables to connect both switches together with same result. what is it that iam doing wrong.. Thanx for your help Saleh

router to switch = patch cable switch to switch [without MDIX] = crossover

If your router has more than 1 port, try connecting both switches directly into your router. This may reduce some collisions and increase speed. Wizard ICT. Microsoft Certified Professional

i have replaced the second switch with a netgear switch and it's working fine!!! but what i don't understand is why didn't it work with the other one...and what is MDIX.. thanx alot for your help Saleh