i have an ES2251 modem. and a Spectrum router. It only has 4 ports and theyre all being used. In one room, I want to use a computer and I want to watch Netflix on the the tv, which has an RJ45 port. Do I get a router with more ports , or do something else?
Can an Ethernet cable be shared with a TV and computer?
- Thread starter daves66nova
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Get yourself a network switch. 4-5 port models are inexpensive.
Yes, a switch to expand your Ethernet connections.
Neither your computer or TV have WiFi?
Neither your computer or TV have WiFi?
Wow, never knew they got so inexpensive
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And to clarify, since I know you're not real computer savvy, the kind of 'switch' everyone's referring to is not some gadget with a button to switch between two inputs or whatever. 'switch' refers to how it moves data around internally. You don't need to know how it works, just that it does.
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$13 for a 5-port gigabit switch from a mid-tier known-ish brand. You will need two Ethernet patch cables to make one work, though.
It's completely incorrect and inaccurate to say, but to the layperson a network switch (or hub) is effectively a 'splitter'. Makes one connection -> many connections.
I was going to describe it as that but figured someone would "correct" me
I guess it is a "smart splitter", yeah ?
$15 for one with a metal chassis if that's more appealing that plastic, but plastic works fine.
More or less-ish. lolI was going to describe it as that but figured someone would "correct" me
Back in the day when switches were expensive they used to sell hubs which were dumb splitters.
I was going to describe it as that but figured someone would "correct" me
Smart hub.
Network hubs predate switches. What makes them smart is the ability to keep a MAC Address Table of devices connected in its onboard memory so it sends the addressed data packets to the addressed device.
Which is still functionally different from a router which is a Level 3 device on the OSI model where a switch is a Level 2 device.
Trying not to let my Cisco CCNA knowledge get to waste lol.
I've been using this exact splitter in my living room setup for going on three years now. I've never once had to touch it. Almost forgot I have it.
I thought that hubs were "dumb" and allowed network "collisions" to occur, which would sort themselves out if throughput was under a certain percentage of max. I haven't seen one for sale since around 2001.
To further confuse OP, whatever second device he plugs in should NOT have a DHCP server as it will fight the one in his "master" router. The ones listed in this thread will work fine.
Finally, good on OP for hardwiring his streaming device. I hate seeing those on wifi, chewing up spectrum.
As was noted, you might try a network switch. I won't bore you with the technical details, but that's essentially just a pipe that allows traffic in all directions. It shouldn't matter which port you connect to your router - all ports are supposed to be peers and can share whatever internet connection you have.
I didn't get one, but reused an older 100BASE-T Wi-Fi/wired router and connected one of the router switches of my main (1000BASE-T) router to the "Internet" port of the old router. Those are electronically two networks with an internet bridge. I've also got the ports on that main router connected to my TV and to a networked printer (has no Wi-Fi). But with that setup only the connections to the main router (Wi-Fi or wired) connect to the printer. If I had gotten a network switch instead, it should be considered on the same network.
I didn't get one, but reused an older 100BASE-T Wi-Fi/wired router and connected one of the router switches of my main (1000BASE-T) router to the "Internet" port of the old router. Those are electronically two networks with an internet bridge. I've also got the ports on that main router connected to my TV and to a networked printer (has no Wi-Fi). But with that setup only the connections to the main router (Wi-Fi or wired) connect to the printer. If I had gotten a network switch instead, it should be considered on the same network.
Doesn’t Cisco put a 2-year expiration on their knowledge freshness still?
I took like 6 networking (including Cisco-specific) classes at Purdue, have a networking & hardware/software design certificate from taking the required classes, yet can’t be “certified” today because it’s been too long. Nothing has changed that significantly, it’s nothing more than a money grab!
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I feel the same way about CompTIA. Certifications expire every 3 yearsDoesn’t Cisco put a 2-year expiration on their knowledge freshness still?
I took like 6 networking (including Cisco-specific) classes at Purdue, have a networking & hardware/software design certificate from taking the required classes, yet can’t be “certified” today because it’s been too long. Nothing has changed that significantly, it’s nothing more than a money grab!
. They can be renewed by taking classes, higher cert, other vendor cert, etc.
I have a test next Saturday - $392
