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It is much better if you do not cascade. There is a limit of intermediate devices allowed between two endpoints, so you should e.g. use one switch as the connecting one for the router, and plug all other switches in there. Even better is if you can build a stack, using a particular uplink cable (proprietary to the device brand), because then all switches act as a single one.
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It is much better if you do not cascade. There is a limit of intermediate devices allowed between two endpoints, so you should e.g. use one switch as the connecting one for the router, and plug all other switches in there. Even better is if you can build a stack, using a particular uplink cable (proprietary to the device brand), because then all switches act as a single one.

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So for example, switch A to the router, and switches B,C,D in to switch A ?
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So for example, switch A to the router, and switches B,C,D in to switch A ?

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Clearly I have to start typing faster :-).
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Clearly I have to start typing faster :-).

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Yeah they are managed switches. HP Procurve.
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Yeah they are managed switches. HP Procurve.

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When installing switches with gigabit ports, for example, let's say I have 4 x 24 port switches, do i just link them up via each gigabit port i.e switch A gigabit port to switch B gigabit port, B to C, C to D, D to router ?
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When installing switches with gigabit ports, for example, let's say I have 4 x 24 port switches, do i just link them up via each gigabit port i.e switch A gigabit port to switch B gigabit port, B to C, C to D, D to router ?

Switches

A switch is a device that filters and forwards packets of data between LAN segments. Switches operate at the data link layer or the network layer of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model and therefore support any packet protocol. LANs that use switches to join segments are called switched LANs or, in the case of Ethernet networks, switched Ethernet LANs. A hub is a connection point for devices in a network. Hubs are commonly used to connect segments of a LAN. A hub contains multiple ports; when a packet arrives at one port, it is copied to the other ports so that all segments of the LAN can see all packets.

Switches / Hubs

Networking hardware includes the physical devices facilitating the use of a computer network. Typically, networking hardware includes gateways, routers, network bridges, modems, wireless access points, networking cables, line drivers, switches, hubs, and repeaters. But it also includes hybrid network devices such as multilayer switches, protocol converters, bridge routers, proxy servers, firewalls, network address translators, multiplexers, network interface controllers, wireless network interface controllers, ISDN terminal adapters and other related hardware.