Right, got 2 of the 1900 cisco switches on here a while back and they are spot on and have them pretty much set up for what Im going to be using them for. I got in contact with someone I know and bought 4 x 1600 routers off him and he has kindly drawn me up some pretty diagrams with VLANs etc that I can set up. However, I would like to start with just a simple network to start with so I have planned on going router to switch to home computers.

I can understand most of it and like to learn from mistakes and balls ups like this but Ive hit a dead end and need a bit of help.

From what I can see off the diagram, the broadband router (in my case a ntl cable modem going into a belkin router) connects to one of the 1900 switches.

This switch is then connected via ethernet to a 1600 router which then connects to another router.

However, I am unable to sus out how to connect the devices.

Going off what the cisco site said to me, which was that the yellow ethernet port is for connecting to a LAN ; I have on the back of the 1600 router I have an ethernet 10baseT connection which I have connected the switch to, and Im presuming the 1600 router then needs connecting to get the incoming internet (from the belkin router) via a serial connection- but I cant sus out how this would work.

However, the lads diagram suggest it is opposite to this:confused:

The lad I got the routers off did mention that I would need some DTE/DCE back to back cables but when I have looked at the pics of these I cant see how they would connect as the only serial port on teh back of the router that I can see doesnt have enough pins to match up (its labled AUI).

Any ideas guys?

Ta, Mike

i'm confused a little, i dont understand why you need so many routers??? diagram would be handy!

the reason one of the switch ports is yellow is because the wiring is reversed, which is used to connect a hub or switch in a kind of daisy chain off of another hub or switch... otherwise you would need a 'special' cable with the pairs swtched over (reversed)

besides why do you need a router anyhow? i thought the ntl box had a router built in anyway which means all you'd need is a hub/switch to split that connection over more than one computer anyway

i'm confused a little, i dont understand why you need so many routers??? diagram would be handy!

the reason one of the switch ports is yellow is because the wiring is reversed, which is used to connect a hub or switch in a kind of daisy chain off of another hub or switch... otherwise you would need a 'special' cable with the pairs swtched over (reversed)

besides why do you need a router anyhow? i thought the ntl box had a router built in anyway which means all you'd need is a hub/switch to split that connection over more than one computer anyway

Setting up a few VLANs to simulate a headquarters with offices etc :P

Ill put the diagram on in a seccie, I would have done it last night but couldnt:O

Also, its not the switch port that is yellow, it is the port on the router which is yellow which can connect to any of the ports on the switch.

From the diagram it does look like it is a daisy chain set up but I shall upload it in a sec..