Adding a switch to Ignite modem

[Risquee]

Just "upgraded" to Ignite and I'm not much of a fan of it yet. My biggest issue is there are only two ethernet ports on the back of the modem. I need at least 4 to 6. So can I just plug a gigabit switch into one of these modem ports and will that work or do I have to have a router too and "bridge" the modem. 

The tech who installed this basically just left my other ethernet cables dangling and didn't tell me there were no extra ports. They hype up the wireless aspect but hey guess what - not EVERYTHING is wireless. 

[Datalink · Accepted solution]

@Risquee you shouldn't have any problems in adding a gigabit switch. 

[Risquee]

Thanks I will give it a try.

[rookie8155]

Sorry, I am reading this message late but I think if you add a switch direct to Ignite modem, it will be getting Rogers IP and will be exposed to outside world with no protection?

I would add a router (may be as AP) behind Ignite box to shield my LAN.

[Risquee]

Well that is not what I want. Can anyone confirm this?

[Pauly]

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@rookie8155 wrote:

Sorry, I am reading this message late but I think if you add a switch direct to Ignite modem, it will be getting Rogers IP and will be exposed to outside world with no protection?

I would add a router (may be as AP) behind Ignite box to shield my LAN.

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Your Ignite modem already has a router built in, no one gets an external IP, its an internal IP, unless you specify Demilitarized Zone in the settings, but since it already has a router, you simply need a switch to add more ports, cus that is what switches do they add more ports.  hope this clears up the misinformation

[rookie8155]

Thanks..

[Risquee]

Thank you! That makes sense.

[reed935]

I am not understanding why they left it like this.  I was told by the Rogers store that the installer would install a switch if needed during the install, at no cost.  The installer told me I would need to by a gigabit switch and I corrected him and said he should be installing one for me.  He then went out to his truck and installed a 4-port switch.  All is good.

[Risquee]

Well just another reason I  hate Roger's. I was never offered this. Nor was I contacted by the "personal concierge" that I was promised so they could make arrangements to pick up the old equipment, and answer any questions I might have about the Ignite system. Another poor job by Roger's. But my bill showed up on time of course.

[-G-]

@Risquee  In fairness to the techs, I that think the LAN switches were a very recent addition to the "standard equipment" that they carried in their trucks... and they can still only offer what they have on hand.  The techs won't give these switches out to everybody but if you need one as part of your install and they can offer one to you at no charge, you'll get one.  If you still require a switch and ask nicely, I'm sure that you'll be able to get one as well the next time that a tech gets dispatched to your home.

[Risquee]

The tech was the one who suggested I buy a switch. That was a couple of weeks ago. And as I have already done that the free one is redundant. I have never gotten anything from Roger's by asking nicely. I have been with them for over 35 years ONLY because of the high speed internet. If Bell put fibe in my neighbourhood I'd switch in a heartbeat.
I am liking the Ignite service better than the old broadband service but there are still hiccups and issues that will take time to iron out as with all Roger's equipment.

[rookie8155]

I am using Rogers internet for the last three years and it has been pretty smooth.  Now I got Ignite bundle and everything is working fine. I tweaked it as per my requirements and it works fine.. 

[Sony71]

Is it must be gigabit network switch or non gigabit normal switch can do as well?

[Biollw]

Gigabit is best then you can be ensured of getting your expected speed. Although a 10/100 will do you will only get 100 max.

So gigabit or better.

[Datalink]

@Sony71 this is an old thread, and now, the Comcast XB6, XB7, and XB8s are in use by Rogers.  Don't remember if the XB6 modems have only gigabit ethernet ports on them. 

Here are the current modems in use:

Internet Self-Install - Help and Support - Rogers

From left to right:  the XB8, XB7 and XB6

The XB7 and XB8 have one port, port 4 which is a multi-gig port.  That is the port on the lower right hand side as you look at the rear end of the modem.  That port is capable of running 2.5 Gb/s.  The other ports (1 to 3) only run 1 Gb/s max.  

In the case of the XB8, that modem is used for both coax and fibre installations.  In the case of a fibre installation, the Optical Network Terminal connects with the XB8 via ethernet to the XB8's port 4.  That port is a dual WAN / LAN port.  When used in a fibre installation, port 4 is a firewall port.  It is the only firewalled port for the XB8 and it must be used for fibre installations.

So, if you're asking about which switch to purchase, it depends on what you're trying to accomplish.  If you have a coax installation with an XB7 or XB8 modem, then you can use a normal gigabit switch connected to ports 1 to 3, as those ports are limited to 1 Gb/s.  If you're looking to run anything up to 2.5 Gb/s out of the modem, then you would need to buy a multi-gigabit switch, which can support a minimum of 2.5 Gb/s.  There are various models of multi-gig switches which range in capability from 2.5 Gb/s maximum, up to 10 Gb/s maximum, with a variety of ports in some cases, mixed 2.5 and 5 or 10 Gb/s.  

If you have a fibre installation, where port 4 is occupied by the ONT, then you can only use a gigabit switch connected to ports 1 to 3.

If you have a fibre installation and are looking to run up to 2.5 Gb/s beyond the modem, then you need to replace the modem with a router that has multi-gig WAN and LAN ports.  And, depending on the number of devices that you might want to run 2.5 Gb/s to, you might need to purchase a multi-gig switch to connect to the routers 2.5 Gb/s LAN port, and then connect to the downstream devices.  

Hope this answers what you're looking for.