Resolved Ethernet Splitter Question

Hi all,

Can I use this simple device to network two computers together, and let them both surf the web at the same time?

http://www.google.com/products/cata...og_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CEIQ8wIwAg#

I did a lot of searching on the subject last night, but I could not come to a definite answer.

I don't have two computers of my own, but sometimes I get calls to repair them, and it is cumbersome plugging and unplugging ethernet cables just to go online...and I have been using USB drives to transfer data between the machines as well.

Thanks.

 

Notice you have to use a splitter at each end.
Doubt it’d work with 2 devices at the same time else what's the purpose of a switch?

So why not use a switch instead.
Something like a D-Link DES-1105
$20.00 at Newegg (incl ship) – unless you catch it on sale for $15.

Only have to plug in 1 end.
Also have to plug in the ac though.

ps
And thanks to nifty ad at top of windowsbbs page guess newegg also has a TRENDnet TE100-S5 for $16

 

Not sure if I follow you here. How would you setup two splitters on one modem to two computers?

I talked to someone at Office Depot today, and they were telling me that a switch had to be plugged into a router or else it would not work. A Radio Shack rep seemed to differ, though, and said the router is not needed.

So, you're saying I *can* use a switch without a router?

Sorry, I can work on PCs, but my networking experience is about nil.

 

No idea how to use that device in pairs but this is from description of item in link you gave.
"This item must be used in pairs for each installation, one on each end of the cable. "


Can I use a switch without a router?

Yes and no – which is why you got 2 different answers.

Quick basic description.

At some point there has to be a router if you want more then 1 computer to be on the internet at the same time.
Your ISP assigns you 1 internet IP address to use. That's your ‘Public’ IP address. A router makes it possible to share that address among other computers.

A switch just connects computers and other ethernet devices together.

Most routers are also switches. That’s the 4 LAN ports on the back.
You can hook up another switch to 1 of those ports.

So – your case.
You can use a switch to hook up another computer to yours. Plug the cable going to ‘original’ computer into the switch (if switch has uplink port – plug it there else any port will do). Then plug both computers into the switch.

And you set.

If other end of cable that was in ‘original’ computer ends up at a router then everyone can get on internet at same time.
If it just goes to a modem (not a modem router combo) then only 1 at a time but computers can still merrily talk to each other.

Numerous good sites online to explain networking at various levels but don’t have them available right now.

In motel room, on laptop, headphones and music and think just set record for my longest post.

 

So, I'm assuming I can connect a switch after the modem, and then connect each computer to an ethernet port on the switch?

Each computer has a single cable to the switch, and one cable connecting switch & modem together? (I don't think my Westell Wirespeed modem [B90-210030-04S2] has router capabilities, but it does have NAT settings)

 

All comments are welcome here.

 

A simple Router will do it about $40.- to $50.- (wired)
I use a 4 port Router and that allows me 4 PC's to be on the net at the same time.
You can have 2 port, 4 port, 8 port, but I would recommend 4 port.
You also have to consider if you want wired or wireless the wired version is cheaper and very simple to install.

 

this is the first time I've spotted this kind of product.

guess having a router and a switch is much better than this looking for a bigger picture.

 

Just so there are no misconceptions about the link in the first post let me explain what that product is for.

A piece of cat5 cable has four pairs of wires in it. White-Blue/Blue, White-Orange/Orange, White-Green/Green White-Brown/Brown.

Network traffic from one device to another uses the Orange and Green pairs. That leaves the Blue and Brown pairs unused.

When a situation arises where you only have one cat5 cable and 2 devices need a cable the splitter above is an option.
An example would be if your Internet Source and router were in your home office and you needed to connect your TV and Satellite Receiver to the internet but only had one cable installed. You would use two of the splitters above, one on each end of your existing cat5 cable which allows you to use the Orange and Green pairs for one device and the Blue Brown pairs for the other device. The splitter is basically a breakout module where it makes one cable 2. The device in no way "Splits" the network traffic or "shares" the connection. It simply allows you to get 2 cables out of one.

I hope that clears that misconception up.

 

Found this.

Click on the video in this link.

http://cableorganizer.com/rj45-splitter/image-video-viewer.html?utm_medium=image-viewer

 

Scott, thanks for video...that cleared things up quite a bit.

 

I've got to do some research on this Tony.

You say my modem has router capabilities? I thought a router had more than one port.

 

A router with a built in switch has more than one port.

I know plenty of Routers with one port.

If your Westel is giving you a private IP (192.xxx.xxx.x or 10.x.x.x) its a router.

Depends on your ISP. Some of them have the DHCP scope limited to one IP.

 

Here is some info I retrieved from the modem's web page...


Connection Information

DSL - Up

Connection - Up

User ID
xxxxxxxxxxxx@att.net

IP Address - 74.235.42.x

IP Gateway - 74.235.42.1

Primary DNS - 205.152.150.23
dns.bna.bellsouth.net

Secondary DNS - 205.152.32.23
old-news.rdu.bellsouth.net

Local Network

Modem IP Address - 192.168.1.254

Ethernet - connected

USB - locked


According to the pasted info above, it looks like I do have the combo mentioned by TonyT. If so, then I guess I'll be looking for a 4 port switch instead of a router...or would a router/switch combo work too, or is that overkill?

Note: I hope I didn't reveal too much here. Delete some of it if I did, please.

 

Fixed it for ya.

The only question is what is the DHCP policy for this router.

 

Thanks!

Not sure if I follow you here, but the DHCP server configuration has a lease time of one day.

The "DHCP server is enabled" box is check too.

Let me know if I answered your question.

 

Here is a link to the modem PDF file in case you need it...

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...uOWLBw&usg=AFQjCNGchSf0B6nnNnXR5K1W2niTB8LEug

 

Under Expert Mode DHCP Server configuration make sure your Starting IP and ending IP have more than enough addresses to cover your needs.

I would make a starting IP of 192.168.1.100 and an ending IP of 192.168.1.250.

 

The start address is 192.168.1.x

The ending address is 192.168.1.2xx

I would have posted the entire addressees, but I'm not sure if it's wise to do so.

I am looking at some choices here at Newegg...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...400030 4093&bop=And&Order=REVIEWS&PageSize=20

Scroll down to the $11.99 Rosewill. Maybe I should spend more on something else, but the Rosewill remarks looked rather promising.

Edit: Asus has a few models too, although I didn't know that company was involved with networking gear.