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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.

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    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.
    – user62491
    May 29, 2013 at 16:27

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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.

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  • Yeah I figured it was a stupid question lol. Thanks.
    – TheFrack
    May 29, 2013 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... May 29, 2013 at 21:50
  • @MarkHenderson - I have that exact model, so I spoke more strongly than I might have otherwise...
    – EEAA
    May 29, 2013 at 23:03
  • Ah, fair enough May 30, 2013 at 0:04

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