Networking – No connection on D-Link DGS-1008A switch

ethernetnetworkingswitch

Recently I moved and set up a new Ethernet network for my home. I have a router feeding into a 16-port gigabit switch, which splits up to the different rooms in the house. In one of the rooms there's a need for multiple ports so I have the mentioned 8-port D-Link switch.

Before the move it worked just fine, but now when I plug a cable from the wall (meaning from the 16-port main switch) to the secondary switch, it does not recognize the connection at all (no light). When I plug a computer to said switch, an orange light lights up (LAN connection, no internet). The connection to the main switch is working – when I plug a computer directly to it I have a perfectly working connection.

I should mention that the network in the walls is a CAT6 type, but it doesn't work when I use CAT6 or CAT5 cables with the secondary switch, and I have tried a power cycle with the secondary switch.

Thanks for any help.

EDIT: I did a bit of tinkering, and found out that the secondary switch works when:

  • Connected directly to the main switch
  • Connected the wall port through a third switch

This is getting weird. This implies some issue in the connection of the switch to the wall port, but I know both are working (and switching cables didn't help…)

EDIT 2: As I continue to mess around, I thought the problem is simply with the wall port, but using a PoE injector (with no DC voltage) as a middleman between the port and the switch did not work.

Best Answer

DGS-1008a is a Fast Ethernet Switch. Fast Ethernet does not have Auto-MDIX, which would swap pins if a crossover cable would be needed where a straight cable is installed, or vice versa.

If the other switch also hasn't Auto-MDIX, they cannot connect if the wrong cable is used, or the cable is falsely connected to the sockets in your wall installed in your wall.

Your computer very likely has a GBE port. The have become standard years ago. Your computer is therefore able to switch pins if needed.

What is the 16port switch? It is a GBE switch, thus it should have Auto-MDIX, but maybe it doesn't.

Try a crossover cable between wall socket and DGS switch.

Related Question