Different Brand Switch can create problem on LAN?

arshadmahmood · 30 Sep 2011

Dear Sir,

We are using CISCO CATALYST 24 PORT 2960G series switch & no more port available in this switch. We need more ports for few pc connections. I want to connect D-LINK FIBER MEDIA CONVERTER & 6/8 PORT SWITCH to extend more port but Our IT department person saying that D-LINK SWITCH can create problem in network so we should purchase one more CISCO 2960 24port switch which is very costly. Kindly inform us is it right that D-LINK switch can create problem? After your reply we will be able to make order for D-LINK or CISCO.

Kindly check our IT department person comments,

We are not agree to place the 8 port switch of D-Link, due to the security of the network and to prevent the disturbance of the smooth running network. It’s necessary to place a 12 or 24 port Cisco switch which will uplink already placed Cisco switch

arshadmahmood · 03 Oct 2011

REMINDER
Please help

seavixen32 · 03 Oct 2011

Hello Arshad. I'd be inclined to go along with the advice given by your IT department.

After all, they are the ones left to pick up the pieces if things go wrong and like most IT departments, they'll be wanting an easy life.

aem · 03 Oct 2011

If you mean to plug a stand alone switch into an existing network port so you can use the ports on that switch, then i'm afraid it's not as simple as that. Not sure how your network is configured at your work but at mine each port is a network port allowing only 1 IP to go through at a time. Plugging in a multiple switch to that port you will need the port to be turned into a "switching port" which enable more than one IP to go through, otherwise you won't be able to use more than one port on that new switch.

As for the D-Link switch i can only think of compatibility issues with the main switch being a cisco.