Ethernet Cable Splitter?

Question

So I live in a dorm, and my friend and I both want to use the Ethernet port that is in the wall, but there is only one. Can I just buy a splitter at Walmart, where I plug that into the Ethernet port in the wall, and then we both plug our Ethernet cable into the splitter, and we both have internet connection at the same time?

If not, is there anything out there that will let us do this?

Answer 1

Not quite; it isn't that simple. If the dorm allows your port to directly support more than one device (i.e., it will assign separate IP addresses to different devices on whatever switch port is associated with your network drop), then all you need is a cheap network switch. You can get a 4-port or 6-port switch at places like Best Buy for somewhere in the $15-30 range.



However, if you're only allowed to have one IP address at a time, then you'll need a home router, which will perform network address translation to let multiple devices share a single IP address on the dorm's network, and also act as a firewall to help protect your devices from hacking. Those don't cost much more than switches and provide some useful additional functionality, so I'd go with the router instead even if it turns out that a switch would do the job.

Answer 2

You should consider buying a multi-port switch (if you only need wired/Ethernet cable connections), or a Wi-Fi router (if you need a combination of wired and wireless connections).



I should also remind you to check with the school's IT squad to make sure you are allowed to hook either of those devices up to the school's network. Safer to ask than to be hunted down, I say!



Good luck!



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Update: Nobody had answered your question when I started typing. But by the time I finished two others had answered with similar answers. Good job, folks!

Answer 3

An ethernet switch is what you need, not a splitter. As far as the effect on speed, if both of you are trying to download a big file, and are saturating the link, then you will see speed halved. But most of the time, you'll be browsing and will only occasionally see collisions.

Answer 4

A cable splitter is useless



A network switch ($20-$30) will allow both of you to connect if they allow multiple IP addresses.



If they don't allow multiple IP addresses then you will need a router

Answer 5

Yup,

you can buy a SWITCH(splitter) to use internet at the same time. But you have to compromise with the speed bcoz it will be half of the actual.