@btm This switch is just a dummy switch and just plug it into the back of your netgear router and it will work. You devices will then get a DHCP ip address from your router.  check your cables to make sure they are 100%.  Would be nice if you had a cable tester...

@Doc2485 Thanks for the reply, I bought these cords from amazon for this, they are new, do you think there would be a problem with them?   The "Ethernet" shows up in all my settings, but the iOS devices and computer seem unable to use the internet in the apps.

Cat 6 Ethernet Cable 35 ft, Flat Internet Network LAN Patch Cord, Faster Than Cat 5E, Solid Cat6 High Speed Computer RJ45 wire for Modem, Router, PS4, Xbox, Switch, Camera, TV Box, Hub, Adapter, White

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FWGK8QC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I got various lengths of this brand.

Thanks again.

@btm I would say the new cables are fine.  Are any of the devices getting a IP address??

@Doc2485 Hi Doc, did some more experimenting and have more info to work with.    I was able to connect to the macbook pro, two chromebooks, and two iphone if I connected to the cable modem directly and reset the cable modem (off/on).     When I switch with the direct line from one device to the next, it seems to be self-assigning IP addresses that are unable to connect to the internet until I reset modem and, with a chromebook and mac, I had to reset the laptop as well.    

So it seems my cable modem is able to successfully assign one device at a time but unable to handle more than it detects when it first starts.    

So, if I use the switch, it, of course, only works with the first device it detects in the switch.

Does this mean I should call xfinity/comcast to figure this out or would I be able to control it with a managey d smart switch?  If so what would you recommend to be able to have 8 devices potentially online at once (2 iphones, 1 ipad, 3 laptops, 1 wifi router)>

Thank you!
Brook

@btm If its just a modem ONLY.... that wil only provide internet for 1 device.  You need a router to issues ip's and have more than one device.  Networking 101

@Doc2485 Yes, I never got to take Networking 101 which is why I am here.   Would a managed switch then be the solution for the cable modem set-up?  If so, what would you recommend?

@btm Oh sorry....I have 30 years + of network/hardware experience.  TPLink has routers to choose from but the cheaper smallers ones ONLY do 100mb... deal breaker for me.

I at least have to have 1g ports and 1gb WAN throughput.

https://www.tp-link.com/ae/business-networking/load-balance-router/tl-er5120/

Is the business type and then you just add AP's to it. 

@Doc2485 I have been heavily looking at this one too for all it will give you including 8 POE ports:

cisco rv345p

@Doc2485 Thanks Doc, that's helpful.   I forgot to mention that my current home internet plan has download speeds that max at 300 Mbps.   So wondering if that router would be more power than I need.  Thanks again for helping me on this!

@btm Where are you located?  I am near Kentucky area in US.