Understanding Bandwidth Allocation with Gigabit Switches

When setting up a home network, one common question is whether adding a second gigabit switch will affect the bandwidth available to devices connected to it. To address this concern, it's important to understand how gigabit switches work and how they handle network traffic.

How Gigabit Switches Work

A gigabit switch is a networking device that connects multiple devices together, allowing them to share internet bandwidth. Gigabit switches support a gigabit (1,000 Mbps) connection, which means they can handle data transfer rates up to 1,000 megabits per second (Mbps).

The key to understanding how gigabit switches work is recognizing that they do not halve the bandwidth when you add a second switch. Instead, the switches create a larger network topology that allows multiple devices to access the internet through the same connection. For instance, if you have a gigabit internet connection, devices connected to a gigabit switch will each have access to the full 1,000 Mbps, assuming no other devices are using the connection simultaneously.

Bandwidth Sharing in a Network

In a typical home network setup, the performance of your internet connection is the limiting factor when multiple devices are using the network simultaneously. If you have a gigabit internet connection and a gigabit switch, each device can theoretically use the full 1,000 Mbps of bandwidth when operating independently.

However, in scenarios where multiple devices are trying to use the internet at the same time, the available bandwidth is shared among the connected devices. This can lead to lower perceived performance as the devices compete for the available bandwidth. For example, if you are downloading a large file while streaming a video in another device, both activities will share the available bandwidth, potentially reducing the speed at which each activity can operate.

Adding a Second Gigabit Switch

Adding a second gigabit switch to your network can enhance the connectivity and flexibility of your setup. To address your specific scenario, let's break it down:

You have a fiber modem connected to a TP-Link Deco X60, which then goes to an 8-port gigabit switch. You plan to run 4 Ethernet cables to the living room and 4 to the master bedroom for gigabit speeds in each room. You have multiple devices to connect in each room and are considering placing a gigabit switch in each room to accommodate more devices.

By adding a second gigabit switch in each room, you are creating a hierarchical network topology. The primary gigabit switch (connected to the fiber modem) will still be the central hub, distributing the gigabit internet connection to the second switches.

Devices connected to the second gigabit switches will not be directly halved in bandwidth. Instead, they will share the bandwidth of their respective second switches. As long as the second switches are capable of handling the traffic, each device can access the full 1,000 Mbps of the internet connection, albeit with potential sharing of the bandwidth within the second switches.

Practical Considerations

While the theoretical understanding is clear, it's important to consider practical aspects such as network design and potential bottlenecks:

Network Design: Ensure that your network is well-designed for the number of devices you plan to connect. Consider the overall capacity of your network and the potential for future expansion. Device Capabilities: Not all devices handle network traffic equally. Equalize the network load by balancing the number of devices and their network needs across the switches. Switch Performance: Choose switches with robust performance and sufficient ports to handle the number of devices in each room. Look for switches with features such as quality of service (QoS) to prioritize critical network traffic.

In conclusion, adding a second gigabit switch in each room of your house can enhance your network's flexibility and capacity without halving the bandwidth. As long as the switches are properly configured and capable of handling the traffic, each device can maintain access to the full 1,000 Mbps of your internet connection.