Folks,

I'm using the RB1100 AH as a 10 port switch with Eth1 being the Masquaraded Default Gw and DHCP server interface across all 10 ports. Eth1 is masqueraded behind a PPPoE DSL modem connected to port 12.

I've cross-connected via a 5 cm Cat5 jumper, port 5 to port 6 to make pots 1 to 10 a single bridging domain.

Is this the intended way of creating a 10 port switch ?

F.

If I am understanding you correctly, I would say it would be more useful to:
-set ports 2-5 having master port 1 (probably already done)
-set ports 7-10 having master port 6 (probably already done)
-create a new bridge
-add ports 1 and 6 to this bridge

as right now it sounds like you are losing 2 ports (5 and 6) with the "up-link" cable.

The bridge is software in this case ...

What is the line rate ?

If I'm good with an 8 port switch, won't I get more performance out of this setup ?

F.

To go back to your original question, I am not sure if your method is intended but yes it should be faster for many situations as you can easily hit bottlenecks with either the CPU or its two links it has to the switches for ports 1-5 and 6-10. I have ran into CPU bottlenecks with the RB1100AH's so I can see your concern. Upgrading RouterBoot and setting it to 1000mhz has helped a bit.

FYI, there is a limit on how short patch cords should be, although I am not sure how short it is (I think 3ft). Many people I know have success with really short cables including myself as I do have 3x 10cm patch cords that I have been using on one RB1100AH since it first came out without an issue (no dropped packets/disconnects/etc).

Edit: I am pretty sure the line-rate between the switches & CPU is still gigabit, it should be in the block diagram although it is not linked correctly on the website at the moment (it has the RB2011 on the page). Someone else might be able to chime in with a better answer.

Are you saying that the Cat5 jumpers should be of a minimal length ?

F.

yes, cat5/6 patch cords should be at least 1m (3 feet) long, but only if operated in half duplex mode or ring topology.
in full duplex and star topology, there is no minimum limit on length, but 2 other limits still correlate with it. first there is a bend radius limit which can be easily broken on ultra short patches. And there is noise, em-noise and your cable is 4 antennas parallel to each other. to get rid of noise the cable uses twisted pairs (40 - 60 twists per 1m) and by having ultra short cables, there is a possible chance to pick up more noise as there aren`t that many twist.

stick to 1m and you are safe.