Can Routers be daisy chained?

FireDancer · 30th June 2004

Hey all,

I was just curious about my linksys router, can it be daisy chained to add more computers? Currently am running a 4 port router and want to try to chain a second one so that I can run more machines. Would this slow the other machines speed wise if it is possible?

Regards,
FireDancer

MinnesotaMike · 30th June 2004

Firedancer,

According to this page, you can daisy link another router to your existing one. I went with the model I had to see if it was possible. Not sure if there will be a decrease in speed, but I wouldn't think it would be noticable, if at all.

Mike

FireDancer · 30th June 2004

Thanks for the link.. I did a bit of research of my own which I should of done in the first place.. LOL

who woulda thought huh? anyways I see that I can dasiy chain but it could affect speed connection wise depending on how many machines are acssesing the net at the same time. At this poiint I have one open space on my Linksys BEFSR41 now but need to add at least 2 more machines for my business.

The other alternitive would to go with a T1 line but thats so darn spendy each month

. Maybe I will give it a whirl and see what happens, worst case senario I have a back up router

. Have a good night Mike and thanks again for the reply.

Very Best Regards,
FireDancer

**Dennis L** · 30th June 2004

Will let you do the research / homework ... but if your going to buy, consider a 6 or 8 connection router. Could possible be an easier install / configure. Keep your old one for backup, sell it, give it to a needy friend. Gosh, it's fun spending someone else's money.

MinnesotaMike · 30th June 2004

Firedancer,

You're welcome. I can say that I haven't noticed any change in speed when I have all 3 of my systems on the net at the same time. Could be different with more though. Dennis has a good suggestion about a router with more ports. At least you wouldn't have to find a place for the second router. Having just one may even help with the speed issue. Just a guess there.

Mike

**Dennis L** · 30th June 2004

I can say that I haven't noticed any change in speed when I have all 3 of my systems on the net at the same time.

Recently some fine folks introduced me to WinMX. I soon learned my cable bandwidth could be devoured if I allowed it... using just my computer. When the kids ask why "there" computer was running slow on Internet (router shared), I just smiled. My lesson, not how many computers, it's what any "1" computer is demanding in bandwidth.

**Rockster2U** · 30th June 2004

That seems kind of ridiculous when you can just add a switch. I'm running an 8 port linksys router with an 8 port linksys switch and two linksys print servers, both of which include four port switches. All work just fine through the single router. Also have a wireless access point plugged in with a signal booster for our laptops. Why try to use a second router when a switch is what you really want? No, I don't have 24 machines on line.

FireDancer · 30th June 2004

Quote:

My lesson, not how many computers, it's what any "1" computer is demanding in bandwidth

Quote:

I don't have 24 machines on line.

Well to be honest 1st off I own a small business and it demands all lot of on line time not only on my machine but on at least 2 others for the time being and possibly 10 more at the rate my business is growing, I have a phone appointment today with my ISP to see if it would to my advantage to leave the connection I have in place for my personal machines (kids included,shared router) and add a business line (T1) out to my office I just had built on my property.

I am just affraid that a new faster connection is going to be costly and the one thing that I believe is making my business grow the way it is, is that I have been very cost consious about everything. Will post again for anyone who is interested in the cost once my meeting is over with.

BTW...

Quote:

Gosh, it's fun spending someone else's money.

I have to aggree with you and so would my wife and my kids

Regardss to all,
FireDancer

MinnesotaMike · 30th June 2004

Quote:

Will post again for anyone who is interested in the cost

I'd be curious as to the cost of T1 service. Sounds like you business is going pretty good. I would definitely plan for the future and get a router/switch with a bunch of ports. A little extra now will save you having to do this agian down the road.

I was reading about Linksys 16 port switch and ran across this statement regarding speed, "In addition to full duplex transfer, your 10/100 Workgroup Switch surges your network with dedicated bandwidth to each node, devoting 100Mbps to every device and multiplying your bandwidth for each added node. For instance, if you connect sixteen computers to your EtherFast 10/100 Switch, then each computer will get a dedicated bandwidth of 100Mbps at full duplex transfer. If you run sixteen computers from a 100Mbps hub, then each computer would only share a part of the 100Mbps bandwidth." If I read that correctly, you shouldn't have a decrease in speed. But I've been wrong before.

Mike

**Scott Smith** · 30th June 2004

In most small corporate enviroments the Router/Firewall only has one port and you feed a switch with that one port.
There would be no reason ever to "Daisy Chain" routers in a common SOHO enviroment.

ruger44 · 2nd July 2004

I have ran two routers several times. I set up alot of them for friends and family, and it is easier to program or test them here at home, instead of at their house. I have not noticed any speed between them, or any ill effects. I don't usually leave them hooked up for very long, though. A switch will work just as good, adn is cheaper than most decent routers. Make sure you get a switch, and not a hub. You might be able to shut down some bandwidth on the non business PC's during working hours, and then throttle it back up at night. If your kids are like mine, all they are doing is chatting, and that takes little bandwidth.

Craig

**ReggieB** · 3rd July 2004

Just to clarify some points.

A router is used to connect networks together. For most small networks there is a single router that connects the network to the internet (which is in effect another network)

A switch (or hub which is another device that does the same job) connects computers together on the network.

Many modern routers incoporate a small switch (often four port). That is they are both a router and a switch.

In the arrangement being discussed one device is being used as a router and a switch, the other as a switch (the routing function being redundant). Nothing to stop you doing this, but as previously pointed out, it is cheaper to get a dedicated switch.

Also if you start daisy-chaining 4 port switches (which is basically what you are doing) the network performance will suffer significant latency as network packets pass over each switch. Also notice that the links between switches will be bottle necks. Get a switch large enough to support the number of PC you have (in you have less that 20 computers). The network will be simpler and perform better. Over 20 users and you will probably need two switches (though there are now plenty of 30+ port switches about), and deciding how to connect them probably justifies a new thread on its own.