Multiple unmanaged switches, single subnet, connected to Cisco 2960 or 2901?

[Chad Elder]

I have a vendor installing 32 IP cameras and 2 network video recorders.  All 34 devices are on the same subnet and connected across three 10/100 unmanaged switches.

I have an existing LAN including a Cisco 2960 switch and 2901 router.  I would like to connect each of the unmanaged switches to the existing LAN individually so that each unmanaged switch isn't tethered to the next with 10/100 throughput bottlenecks.

Can this be done between multiple unmanaged switches and my 2960 or perhaps my 2901 with a 4-port Ethernet switch EHWIC?

[Leo Laohoo]

Don't.  Just don't.  

There's a reason why the vendor connected the cameras to a separate LAN:  MULTICAST.  

There's a significant chance that once you migrate those cameras to a managed network, your cameras will go nuts.  

Be careful when you do this.  You need to closely research on the multicast requirements, QoS, etc.

[Chad Elder]

The IP camera network subnet could be segmented at layer 2 on our 2960 or both layers 2 and 3 on the 2901.  Would that not mitigate the multicast concern?