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Forum Discussion

nkkseattle's avatar
nkkseattle
Aspirant
Apr 26, 2021

Daisy chaining unmanaged switches

I just bought a GS316 unmanaged switch to replace my old GS208 and having trouble getting a connection.

I have a network with:

Cable Model > ORBI Mesh Network > Unmanaged Switch > GS316 unmanaged switch.

If I plug the input cable of the GS316 into a laptop I get an IP and a connection just fine

If I plug the input cable into the GS316 and then a cable from the GS316 into the laptop I do not get a connection.

The Ethernet Settings tool says "Identifying... No Internet"

Is there a configuration issue or is there some kind of reset of the GS316 that I don't know about

Thanks

Niels

3 Replies

  • plemans's avatar
    plemans
    Guru
    Apr 28, 2021

    There isn't any configuration with those devices.

    Usually I try to simplify as well as checking cables. I've had and seen others with cables that worked fine on older device, not work on newer ones. 

    So try a couple things. 

    1. move the switches to right where the router is. Then try daisying chaining them. this avoids wiring in the walls causing issues. And its easier to try step 2. 

    2. Try different cables. Like I've said, sketchy cables can cause issues. try several different ones. 

     

    • nkkseattle's avatar
      nkkseattle
      Aspirant
      May 09, 2021

      Thanks for the response.

      So cables can be the problem - my issue is that the potential troublesome cable runs in the walls/floor from the IT room to my office, meaning it would be very expensive to replace it.

      Is there any alternative - other switches that might work?

      My old switch worked (GS208) but it was failing - dropping the connection regularly - a 5 port TPLink switch works just fine but has only 5 ports. I was hoping paying the extra money for a Netgear GS316 would be a good investment, but now I don't know

      Thanks

      • antinode's avatar
        antinode
        Guru
        May 09, 2021

        > [...] I do not get a connection.

         

           Are there LED port-status indicators on these devices?  What do they
        indicate?

         

        > [...] other switches that might work?

         

           If you have a marginal cable or connector, then you might get lucky,
        and find a gizmo with better margins, but that's hardly a path to
        reliability.