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Network Switch configuration

I are getting a new phone system that will have two 24 port PoE switches. Each port on these switches will run a phone and a computer. I will also have two additional regular 24 port switches which will run other devices like servers and other networked devices.

Here are the standard switches I was looking into. https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-ProSAFE-JGS524NA-24-Port-Rackmount/dp/B0002CWPW2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480977260&sr=8-1&keywords=netgear++24+port+switch#Ask

What would be the best way to connect these switches together and connect to the internet routers (we have two)? We use a SonicWall that has a port configured for internet connection 1 and another port for Internet Connection 2.

Would it be best to connect the POE switches together, then run another from each switch to both regular routers? I will call them P1 P2 and S1 and S2 (p=poe and s=standard switch)

P1 to P2
P1 to S1
P1 to S2
P2 to S2
P2 to S1
S1 to S2

Then connect P1 to Internet Connection 1
and S1 to Internet connection 2

Thanks in advance!
Dan

Albert Maine

A switch just repeats the data it receives onto every port. When you chain them together, the port that sends data to another switch will work fine, but you will saturate that one port with the entire data set from the connected switch. I recommend doing them in a tree structure as opposed to a chain structure. You'd also want to make sure your switch is connected to the highest available port. You don't want to limit a switch to 100Mb, when you have 1Gb available.

filtrationproducts

ASKER

I am not sure I agree. Switches don't repeat data onto every port, that would be a hub. Also, if I configure them as a tree, and the switch at the top fails, all my switches below will loose connectivity to the internet.

SIM50

I don't see these switches supporting STP. If you will interconnect them like that, you will create a loop which will bring your network down.

filtrationproducts

ASKER

So if I use the current switch, i just need to plug them into each other like this:

P1 to P2
P2 to S1
S1 to S2

Otherwise I would need a switch that has spanning tree? Are these only available in managed switches? I would like to stay away from programming a switch if I could.

Thanks,
Dan

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

SIM50

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Leigh Kalbli

You may want to look at Cisco meraki switches. They are extremely easy to work with for managed switches, can be configured from outside the office and monitored via mobile app and have really good support. Analytics on them is pretty good too. Thing is it has annual licensing just like the Sonicwall has. I have 4 Sonicwall 2400's 12 meraki switches as well. One thing you may want to consider, if warranted for your size is a voice vlan and data vlan. With the unmanaged switches you most likely won't have that option to assign the ports for voice or data traffic. You can create the clans within your NSA yes but if you can't assign port type such as trunk or access and or the vlan port Id then it's a moot point.

SIM50

I don't agree with the chosen solution as the very first line of that post is false. If you don't want to accept other experts answers then just delete your question as it will be a disservice for the people who will be looking for a solution to similar problem in the future.

filtrationproducts

ASKER

Accepting that answer was a mistake. It should have been ID: 41938973.