Simple Router Question

[Antonov]

Is every subnetted network require to connect to the router or switch then router?
For example, I have 6 subnet network ids. Each ids is given to 6 differentclassrooms. In order to share internet access, does the classrooms have to connect to the router directly or connect to the router via a switch?

Diagram A
Class 1---------------|
Class 2--------------||
Class 3-------------|||
Class 4------------ Router
Class 5--------------||
Class 6---------------|
or
Diagram B
Class 1-----------------|
Class 2----------------||
Class 3---------------|||
Class 4------------ Switch ------- Router
Class 5--------------||
Class 6---------------|
In Diagram B, can the whole connection be considered as a backbone network?

Any advice is welcomed....

I am a beginner in networking.

Jason

 

[axslinger]

Diagram B is typical. However, it will be necessary to configure the router for each local subnet (routing table entry).

Brian [sig][/sig]

 

[Buffman]

Hi Jason,

It would be a lot simpler to have your entire class on one network id. If each computer is plugged into its own port on the switch this will work extremely well because the computers wont compete with each other when they want to send/receive data on the network.

If on the other hand you decide to give each class their own network id, you're gonna have to create 6 virtual local area networks (vlans). You should be able to manage it through the software that shipped with your switch. After creating the different vlans, you will also have to create 6 subinterfaces on the router that correspond to the 6 different vlans.

If you need more assistance simply email sladewil@pilot.msu.edu.

God Bless, [sig][/sig]