What is the best way to connect switch1 (ports 1-5) and switch2 (ports 6-10) in RB2011UiAS-RM?

Question

Computer networks

The end goal is to get only internet (not LAN) on ports eth6-eth10. As an option, at least combine with eth2. The Internet comes to eth1 and is distributed on eth2-eth5. Googling offers several options:
1. Connect switch1 and switch2 via a patch cord. I do not like the concept itself, and the ports are consumed, but if there is no better solution, you will have to do it.
2. Make a bridge. I don’t like the fact that you have to reconfigure everything (or a lot), which you really don’t want to. In addition, they write that such a solution is not too fast and reliable.
What do you advise?

Answer 1

Ummm, you want something strange =)
This device has two groups of ports that can be combined through a switch chip with wired speed. If you need to combine ports from different switch groups, you need to use a bridge, the speed will be lower - not insignificant, especially considering the fast (fasttrack, fastpath) switching technology support that has appeared in the latest versions.
Patchcord in this situation is generally a strange idea =)
Make a bridge, change it in your rules and you will be happy, predictable and fast switching, at a speed of about wired.

Answer 2

bridge is bad only because it goes through the CPU, and not through the switch chip.
you want to make WAN ports - eth6-eth10?

Answer 3

Well, don't worry about the reliability of the bridge, the whole Mikrotik is built on it. So make a bridge, and add fa1 and fa6 to it, and make fa2..fa5 and fa7..fa10 slaves with masters, respectively, fa1 and fa7.