Help with network setup

sevendaysand · November 17, 2014

I am limited in my networking knowledge, so please correct me if my assumptions are wrong.

I wanted to connect an 8-port, gigabit switch to my modem because I need all the ports. I couldn't find any routers with 8, one-gigabit, ports (are there any?)

I found out that I can't, and that I need to connect a router to the modem to be able to get multiple local ips. I am assuming because routers has DHCP built in and switches don't, am I correct?

The problem is that I am limited in space of where I can install the router or the switch. I could find a solution install both of them, but I want to be sure before that there are no other solutions.

The perfect solution is to have a device that I can connect directly to my modem. I do not care if this device has a wifi capability, but it is important to have at least 8, gigabit ports. Is there such a device, or will I have to do the modem>router>switch scheme.

d3sl91 · November 17, 2014

I am limited in my networking knowledge, so please correct me if my assumptions are wrong.

I wanted to connect an 8-port, gigabit switch to my modem because I need all the ports. I couldn't find any routers with 8, one-gigabit, ports (are there any?)

I found out that I can't, and that I need to connect a router to the modem to be able to get multiple local ips. I am assuming because routers has DHCP built in and switches don't, am I correct?

The problem is that I am limited in space of where I can install the router or the switch. I could find a solution install both of them, but I want to be sure before that there are no other solutions.

The perfect solution is to have a device that I can connect directly to my modem. I do not care if this device has a wifi capability, but it is important to have at least 8, gigabit ports. Is there such a device, or will I have to do the modem>router>switch scheme.

Correct, a router will provide DHCP for your LAN. However, it is very uncommon to have anything other than 4gigabit ports on a router. I have never seen one in a consumer variant.

Thankfully, switches are very small, but you may still have very limited space.

Altecice · November 17, 2014

Correct, a router will provide DHCP for your LAN. However, it is very uncommon to have anything other than 4gigabit ports on a router. I have never seen one in a consumer variant.

Thankfully, switches are very small, but you may still have very limited space.

Not quite correct Switches do have the ability to offer the DHCP service. But not for customer purposes.

OP wants just a normal consumer switch with enough Gb ports. DHCP is only stopped by the router but not inside a LAN so your router will still be able to offer DHCP service to your internal network.