Two cables between switches 1

[Xilllly]

If I connect two switches with two ethernet cables, will that cause the network to freeze up? This with a view to reduce packet collision and therefore maintain speed between switches.

 

[jimbopalmer]

If your switches as simple enough NOT to have Spanning Tree Protocol enabled, yes, two cables will cause a switching loop that will suck down all available bandwidth.

If the switches are classy enough to have Spanning Tree Protocol enabled, then one cable will be automatically disabled and the Network will function as before.

If these are high end switches with Link Aggregation correctly administered at both ends, then one can use two cables to double the bandwidth between the switches. (It is unlikely you have this scenario without noticing the thousands of dollars or hours of time spent on it)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanning_tree_protocol

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switching_loop

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Link_aggregation

I tried to remain child-like, all I acheived was childish.

 

[vipergg]

If you have switches they generally run in full duplex so there is no packet collision you have to worry about . The rest of what jimbo said is right on the money about spanning tree loops . Unless your switches are manageable and support etherchannel don't do it .