Splitter for ethernet cable: If you need to plug in more devices into your ethernet cables and you don’t have enough connections, then it is possible to use a splitter for ethernet cables. There are several different ways you can do this. Click on each one for detailed instructions:

1. Use an Ethernet Network Switch
2. Use an Ethernet Hub
3. Use a Ethernet Splitter Cable
4. Use an Ethernet Cable Sharing Kit
5. Use a Router

If you are setting up a home office or a new business and you need help with the cabling or wireless network set-ups, contact us. We have over 40 years of cabling/wiring experience and we can do the installation professionally and reliably, so you won’t have to worry about unnecessary downtime.

Splitter for Ethernet Cable

1. Use an Ethernet Network Switch

A network switch is a very effective splitter for ethernet cable

One of the easiest ways to operate multiple devices off of one ethernet connection is by using a network switch. A network switch will let you connect your ethernet cable from your router or modem at one end to the other devices that you want to connect on the other end of your cable.

Step 1: Plug in your ethernet cable into the ethernet input port on your network switch.
Step 2: Plug in the other devices that you want to share the ethernet connection into the other ports on the switch.
Step 3: Plug in the power cord for your network switch and turn it on.

The network switch will use a process called packet switching. This is a very effective way to transfer a packet of data from more than one device through a single ethernet cable. The data is sent only to the devices that need them.

It is a similar process to making a two-way phone call on a shared phone line. Only the caller and the receiver hear each other and not all the other phones connected to the line. Because only the devices that are using the information packet, receive the information, your network speed doesn’t slow down.

2. Use an Ethernet Hub

An ethernet hub will be slow if you have multiple devices connected

An ethernet hub is another type of splitter for ethernet cable, however, it is an older technology and isn’t as efficient as using a network switch. The ethernet hub looks similar to a network switch and the steps for setting it up are similar.

Step 1: Plug in your ethernet cable into the ethernet input port on your hub.
Step 2: Plug in the other devices that you want to share the ethernet connection into the other ports on the hub.
Step 3: Plug in your ethernet hub.

Ethernet hubs do not use packet switching like network switches do. Instead, they send all of the data to all of the devices connected to the ethernet cable at the same time. This method can clog up your network and really slow down the speed.

If you have a lot of devices on your network, then you probably won’t want to use this method. If you only want to use a couple of devices, then this could still be an option for you as there won’t be that much traffic on your network.

3. Use a Ethernet Splitter Cable

An ethernet splitter cable only lets you physically connect two devices – Image Source: Amazon.ca

One other type of a splitter for ethernet cable is called an ethernet splitter cable. This device only lets you physically connect two devices to the same ethernet cable. However, even though the devices are connected to the cable, only one device can transfer data at one time.

So, in effect, the only advantage of the splitter cable is that it will save you the time and effort of having to physically unplug your ethernet cable from one device and plug it into another to use it.

4. Use an Ethernet Cable Sharing Kit

An ethernet sharing kit can be used if you only need to have 2 devices sharing your ethernet cable. In essence, it reduces the two connections from your router into one ethernet cable and then re-expands the one ethernet cable back into two connections in a different part of your office. If you need to use more than 2 devices, you should use a network switch instead.

An ethernet sharing kit will let you run two devices very smoothly on the same ethernet cable with no noticeable speed decreases

Your ethernet cable sharing kit should include: 2 adapters. The first adapter will have 2 input ethernet ports and 1 output ethernet port. The second adapter will have 1 input ethernet port and 2 output ethernet ports.

Step 1: Connect your first adapter’s two inputs into two ports on your router
Step 2: Connect your first adapter’s one output to your single ethernet cable.
Step 3: Connect your second adapter’s one input to the other end of your ethernet cable.
Step 4: Connect your second adapter’s two outputs into the two devices that you want to share the ethernet connection.

Even though the set up may seem a bit more challenging, it will let you run your two devices very smoothly on the same ethernet cable with no noticeable speed decreases.

5. Use a Router

A router can serve as a splitter for ethernet cable

A final type of splitter for ethernet cable is a router. You can actually use a router instead of a network switch.

Step 1: Connect your ethernet cable into the input port on your router.
Step 2: Connect the devices you want to use into the rest of the extra ethernet ports on your router.
Step 3: You may need to any firewalls and DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) so that your router will run faster.

This method is a good solution is you already have an extra router that you are not using. If you have to purchase one, then you will probably find it less expensive to purchase a network switch.