Simplifying a 1711 w/4port witch

Question

I have a 1711-k9 router I am going to use for VPN.
I have configured Fastethernet0 (the WAN port) with no problem. Its just standard ethernet.
My problem is, that the LAN side is going through this WIC-4ESW switch.
I am sure it is a wonderful tool. But, I just need basic old fashioned LAN access. I understand that this is a higher level "layer3" type interface using VLANS.
But, I don't need it.
Obviously I am having difficulty getting it working.
I cannot seem to find any examples so far, as to how to set this up to just be a switch.
For some time I could not get any response on FASTETHERNET1 now I can get a response if I connect my laptop directly to the Fastethernet1.
But, I cannot get a response using the same laptop connected through a "dumb" switch/hub.
Can anyone direct me to some simplified examples of this used in a low security environment?
Any help would be appreciated.
Tony

Answer 1

I tried these commands on the 1711 with IOS 12.3
They would not work as shown.
I used the following:
interface range fa 1 - 4 vlan 2
This command failed; at the word "vlan".
Then I tried just;
interface range fa 1 -4
this brought me to;
config-if-range>
beneath this, the only things close were "vlan-id" and "vlan-range".
So, I could not get this to work.
What I have ended up doing is:
config> interface range fa 1 -4
config-if-range> switchport trunk native vlan 2
config-if-range> switchport mode trunk
This has allowed me access to all the ports on the switch as I would normally expect.
I would like to learn more about the Vlans and the differences between the switchport modes. So, I will read the link you supplied.
Thank you,