Hello Nattiya
You could connect the switches in the method you mentioned as long as the loop between all three switches is created. There is no configuration rule that says you should connect port 1 on one switch to port 2 on another. However, there are two reasons why it’s a good idea to do the connections like that:
- It makes more logical sense, and it is easier to see how to create the ring topology. All connections are the same on all switches. Take a look at this diagram:
You can see that port 1 on each switch connects to the below switch, and port 2 on each switch connects to the above switch. - Stacking cable lengths are made so that the crossover method described above will give you the neatest cabling. It also requires the shortest cabling for a side by side stacking like so:
Yes you can do that if you like. Ultimately however, it is really up to you as to what is more convenient for you.
I hope this has been helpful!
Laz