Adding switch to network

[admin_2]

The below design started as a star but SW3

was added to SW2 because Switch 1 only had

2 fiber ports.

I need to add another switch and my options

are:

I either add another switch on top of SW1 with

fiber ports, of which none of the copper ports

are used. And add my new switch to the other

side

Or Add 5 directly to 3.

Will adding 5 to 3 work or do I need to

look at an alternative?

All the Switches are connected via fiber and

All Hubs and switches are populated with computers.

I'm concerned that adding SW5 to SW3 will

violate the 5-4-3 rule. Does it?

(Switch 1 is the main switch)

Hub1--->|SWITCH1|<---Switch4

Hub2--->|_______|<---Switch2<--Switch3(<--SW5?)

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

[smif101]

If you have an issue with the switches not having enough fiber ports just buy a fiber optic transceiver.

[#3]

Would using a fiber transceiver connected to a RJ45 port be the same as connecting Switch to Switch via the Switch fiber port or would there be a decrease in performance?

Also, I really just want to know if it is OK to connect 5 to 3 or should I go back to 1? (I'm talking about @5 connections on 5)

Thanks.

[jamey]

You're not violating the 5-4-3 rule by add switch 5 to switch 3 because the switches negate the rule. Here's a good URL outlining this:

http://www.tencorp.com/SALESTIP.NSF/0/5b465b14bfaee6c985256c52006e36a2?OpenDocument

I would connect switch5 closest to where the traffic from the hosts on switch5 is going. E.g. if most traffic is going from switch5 to servers on switch3, connect switch5 to switch3, etc...