I need an ethernet "splitter"...

[Timbydude]

Hey everyone,

I don't really know the exact name of what I'm looking for, so let me describe my situation and I'm hoping someone can point me in the direction of such a product.

In my dorm room, there's only one Ethernet port. However, I have 3 things on which I want to use my Ethernet connection: my computer, my Xbox, and my PS3.

My computer and PS3 both have wireless adapters, but the Wi-Fi signal in my room is very poor, so it's useless for gaming. Essentially, I need something where I can plug an Ethernet connection from all three into some device that attaches to the wall. Then I can flip some switch on the device whenever I want to change the active connection. I'd really only need one connection to be active at once, so I don't really need something that just uses all the Ethernet connections at once (like a router).

Does something like that exist? If so, what is it called and where can I find it? Thanks!

 

[tomtom94]

http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/3516468/Cat5-RJ45-Ethernet-Network-Splitter-Economiser-Adapter-Set-Of-2/Product.html?ptsl=1&ob=Price&fb=0&searchstring=ethernet+splitter&searchtype=allproducts&searchsource=0&urlrefer=search

This sort of thing? I guess most computer shops would carry them.

 

[tharglet]

A network switch should do the job for you. Nice li'l 5-port jobby.
(At my uni house, we had one router and one guy had a switch cos he had too many machines in his room.... lol).

Just don't plug one port into another. Either you'll lose your network connection, or you'll suddenly find a murderous tech at your door (depending on the network setup).

 

[Mekado]

Hey everyone,

I don't really know the exact name of what I'm looking for, so let me describe my situation and I'm hoping someone can point me in the direction of such a product.

In my dorm room, there's only one Ethernet port. However, I have 3 things on which I want to use my Ethernet connection: my computer, my Xbox, and my PS3.

My computer and PS3 both have wireless adapters, but the Wi-Fi signal in my room is very poor, so it's useless for gaming. Essentially, I need something where I can plug an Ethernet connection from all three into some device that attaches to the wall. Then I can flip some switch on the device whenever I want to change the active connection. I'd really only need one connection to be active at once, so I don't really need something that just uses all the Ethernet connections at once (like a router).

Does something like that exist? If so, what is it called and where can I find it? Thanks!

A 5-port Network switch would be your best bet yes, it'll also allow you to use all devices at the same time even though you said it wasn't necessary.

Something like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127085 will run you around 20$ in any computer store, just make sure to buy a SWITCH and not a ROUTER.