I need a 5th port on a 4-port modem

Question

I'm managing a big building, with a lot of services/vendors and I have a DMZ'd 4-port cable modem, Model: SMC8014, that has 4 separate networks branching off each of its 4 ports. Each network has its own equipment (Its own router/firewall). It's very difficult for me to mess with those networks.

I need to add yet another network that is directly on the WAN and normally I would just plug it into the extra slot on the modem. However, the modem is full. So I'm wondering... Would it mess anything up if I bought a switch to "add more ports" to my modem? I mean can I directly connect a switch to my modem, then from there attach X networks, all with their own routers?

Otherwise, plan B would be to buy a bigger modem, if they make them.

I'm assuming I'd have to get my ISP to give me another IP address for the extra networks as well.

You left out most of the pertinent information required to answer this question. A diagram, some background information, model numbers for all the equipment and the details of how all the different networks are setup would all be helpful. — , May 29 '13 at 16:27

score 7 · Accepted Answer · answered May 29 '13 at 13:52

7

Those four ports on the back of that modem are merely switch ports. You should be just fine adding another "dumb" switch to gain more WAN ports.

answered May 29 '13 at 13:52

EEAA

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Yeah I figured it was a stupid question lol. Thanks. – TheFrack May 29 '13 at 13:57
Unless they're not. I've seen Lancomm units that put each port on a seperate VLAN so you can have four segregated networks. If this is one of those setups... – Mark Henderson May 29 '13 at 21:50
@MarkHenderson - I have that exact model, so I spoke more strongly than I might have otherwise... – EEAA May 29 '13 at 23:03
Ah, fair enough – Mark Henderson May 30 '13 at 00:04

I need a 5th port on a 4-port modem

1 Answers1