How to Set Up a Linksys Switch After a Router

An Ethernet switch is an easy way to expand your local network. Linksys offers several low-cost switches that allow you to add five to 16 computers or other devices such as network printers to your small home/office network. Unlike a simple hub, a switch is an "intelligent" device that routes data only to the appropriate hardware address. This makes your network very efficient by eliminating "collisions" of data on the network. Switches are easy to install and require no configuration or maintenance.

Things You'll Need

• Ethernet cable
• Router
• Switch

Instructions

1. 

   Ethernet cable

   Take a moment to plan. The switch should be placed somewhere near the router, and you will need a short "straight through" Ethernet cable to connect the switch to the router. You will also need one or more longer Ethernet cables to connect your computers to the switch. Consider the lengths and number of cables you need for your network, and buy them.

2. 

   switch

   Connect a cable from the uplink port on the back of the switch to one of the numbered LAN ports on the back of the router. Any free LAN port on the router may be used, but not the ports labeled "WAN" or "Uplink."

3. 

   Ethernet port

   Connect your computers or other devices to the numbered ports on the back of the switch using Ethernet cables. The Ethernet ports on the back of the computers look just like the ones on the switch, and should be fairly easy to find.

4. Check that the router has a live connection to the Internet. If everything is connected correctly, the switch will learn what it needs to know automatically from the router, without any additional configuration, and your network should be active.

Tips & Warnings

• A switch requires external power, so make sure the switch is placed near a power outlet.

References

• ATPM: How to Become a Network Guru
• Networkbits: Local Area Network (LAN) Basic Components
• Linksys: Connecting Devices on a Switch