Do I Need to Use a Network Switch / How to Configure

[Arun Khan]

On Tue, Nov 19, 2024 at 4:38 PM Keith Smith via PLUG-discuss <
plug-discuss at lists.phxlinux.org> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I home office and have a home office Internet connection which allows me
> to run servers.
>

Are these servers internal to your LAN only?
If you plan to expose them to the Internet, then consider defining a DMZ
and keeping the servers in the DMZ.
Read up your router doc for details

>
> I am using a consumer grade router that has WIFI and 4 RJ11 ports.
> Currently I need 6 RJ11 connects.  Not everything is turned on all the
> time.
>

Minor correction - RJ45 is for LAN wiring (4 pairs); RJ11 (2 pairs) is for
regular telephone wiring.

>
> My research suggests I add a network switch to the mix.


You are correct, you need a switch to expand the RJ45 ports in your router.

I assume I would keep the connection to the modem to the router and
> connect one of the RJ11 ports to a switch and connect all my devices to
> the switch, leaving the other 3 RJ11 ports on my router not connected.
>

Yes!

>
> If this is actuate, any suggestions on a "consumer" grade 10 ports
> switch?  Or would a more commercial switch be better?
>

Given your scenario (all other devices are consumer grade) I would say a
"consumer" grade Gigabit switch would be sufficient. I suggest you get
yourself a fanless 16-port switch.
Commercial (Enterprise) grade switches are more expensive. They are
typically "managed" switches with "enterprise" features e.g. VLAN, DHCP, L3
routing, etc., -- an overkill for your use case.
I buy used stuff on eBay at less than half the price of a new one.
Sometimes, you can find new equipment (liquidation of overstock).

--
Arun Khan
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