Question about expanding network

[Joe Mc]

We currently have a router connected to an 8-port Link-Sys switch. We want to use the Uplink port on the Link-Sys switch to connect it to a Netgear 16-port Fast Ethernet switch in order to allow others to connect (by cable, not wireless) to the network. I understand that there is a limit on the cable length (328 feet) between the PC/server and the switch. My question is, if we do connect the 16-port switch via Uplink to the 8-port switch, does that allow us to then extend that cable length limitation another 328 feet from the 16-port switch to the new users we want to add to the network?

[tomkear2006]

We currently have a router connected to an 8-port Link-Sys switch. We want to use the Uplink port on the Link-Sys switch to connect it to a Netgear 16-port Fast Ethernet switch in order to allow others to connect (by cable, not wireless) to the network. I understand that there is a limit on the cable length (328 feet) between the PC/server and the switch. My question is, if we do connect the 16-port switch via Uplink to the 8-port switch, does that allow us to then extend that cable length limitation another 328 feet from the 16-port switch to the new users we want to add to the network?

I think the answer is yes. The signal should be boosted inside the switch!

[mojo]

The answer is definitely yes. Every time you have a switch in the network it repeats the signal.

[bailey]

the limit of cable (cat-5 ) is 100 meters not feet, that would be about 300 feet limit between devices

[mojo]

Cat 5e cable does not enable longer cable distances for Ethernet networks: horizontal cables are still limited to a maximum of 90m (295ft) in length.

It's ~300 feet or ~100 meters.:)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category_5_cable

[bailey]

that is correct, for horizontal run, which allows enough feet for the drops, to end up with the total limit.

[tomkear2006]

If you plan to go further than 100 meters then you need to consider switches with fibre optic interfaces or using media converters at each location.

[glc]

If you need to run farther than 100 meters, use an intermediate switch as a repeater. We've done that and it works fine. The limit is 100 meters on a single unbroken cable.

[mojo]

bailey is a ninja editor!!!!

[bailey]

bailey is a ninja editor!!!!

he has brain farts too
LOL

[klick81]

the specification for cat5 is 100 meters. HOWEVER, if you had to extend past that, if you have good quality cat5e cables, it is possible to run it farther. I wouldn't recommend it, because it -can- cause problems if you go too far, plus it takes forever to run a 500ft cable and to have it not work when its done would be a pain in the you know what. i have personally seen cat5e ethernet cables work over a gigabit network at 580ft without any drop in quality. now that that is said, heh..

if you are racking this stuff in a central location (building computer/server room) and both the 8-port and 16-port switch are going to be in this room, then no it will not add another 300ft to the limit. if you have the 8 port in the computer room and run a 300 foot cable out to the 16 port switch 300 ft away then you will have an extra 300ft on the other side of the 16port.