I have a 10/100/1000 24-port + 2 mini-GBIC ports switch which I have to link to other switches. Unfortunately, on the other switch all the mini-GBIC slots are taken up, so all I can do is link them together using a regular Ethernet port (which is also 1 Gbit/s) on the switch.
My question: does using a regular port instead of the uplink have disadvantages?
If I understand correctly, the only advantage of that mini-GBIC adapter is that it is fiber so you can link switches that are kilometers away.
Best Answer
If your switch isn't non-blocking then often the uplink ports are non-blocking, so they could have that benefit, otherwise I can't think of any other real differences between types of port.