Network Cable Splitter... opinions?

[pjpjpjpj]

I just saw a "network cable splitter" advertised online. I've never seen one before (never really looked). It looks just like you would expect - little plastic box, one CAT5e female jack on one side, two on the other side. I would assume that it would work great except obviously be limited by the throughput of the single cable (on the "single side") and any downstream devices/ports, right? Meaning, two devices on the "split side" could be doing two separate things, as long as the combined bandwidth needed didn't exceed the capacity of the cable and devices on the "single side"?

Has anyone had experience with one of these gadgets?

I am soon going to be installing a new HD200 in another second floor room (currently have an HD100 on my master bedroom TV). I will never be using both of these extenders simultaneously. I was thinking that, rather than fishing yet another 100-foot CAT5e from upstairs through the long, windy path (don't ask) to get to my router/hub, I could just take the cable running to my current extender, put on the splitter, and then run to the current and new extenders, using some much-shorter network cables that I already have. This would save me a bit of money and a LOT of time and effort.

And honestly, since this is a single run (from the router out to the splitter, then to two extenders), and two HD streams can easily pass through a CAT5e bandwidth-wise, I actually should be able to watch both simultaneously if I wanted to... right?

[S_M_E]

I'd use a switch instead. YMMV...

[Paul H]

Here's the secret: Ethernet only uses 2 of the 4 pairs of wire in CAT5x (or 6xx) cable. The splitters, you'll need two of them, connect another RJ45 connector to the unused pair on each side of the cable run. Will it work for you? . . . Let me know!

[CollinR]

Assuming you are using base100 and not gigabit.

The device may well be a 2 port switch though too. As was mentioned would be the right way to do it, plus you can have more ports.

[S_M_E]

If it's really cheap and powered it might be a 2 port hub but I doubt it's a switch. It should say in the advertising if it's a switch. They'd want to brag about that. If it's not powered it's not a hub nor a switch, it's a splitter and I'd avoid it.

I did a quick search:

What they do: A pair of Network splitters will enable you to utilize a single Cat 5E cable run (which would ordinarily only handle a single 10/100 Base Ethernet connection) for two 10/100 Base Ethernet connections for two computers to connect onto the network. Please note that this will require an extra Hub/Switch or Router port and two additional patch cables.

What they Don't do: The Network Splitters will not create a new hub or router port. If you have a 4 Port router and need to get a 5th computer working than these splitters are not for you.

It's $21.00 for these, I'd just buy a switch.

[pjpjpjpj]

What I saw was not powered. It looked like one of those little phone line extenders/splicers - the little white plastic box with female ports on both side - except it had two ports on one side and one on the other. It was like $8, I believe.

Unfortunately, I can't seem to find it right now. I was looking for something else online at the time and saw it in an online store, but didn't bookmark it. I'll have to look again later.

A switch or hub or whatever would require power at the device. I was trying to avoid that requirement.

[S_M_E]

This is the one I found:

http://www.lanshack.com/Network-Spli...ir-P47C56.aspx

I'd avoid it personally.

[Polypro]

It just prevents you from having to run a second cable. Could be useful in some situations, but yeah...I'd probably go for a hub or switch.

P

[ElGato]

Originally Posted by S_M_E

This is the one I found:

http://www.lanshack.com/Network-Spli...ir-P47C56.aspx

I'd avoid it personally.

Good find S_M_E. As the picture demonstrates, they should be deployed in pairs, so all you are really doing is making use of the previouslly unused extra wires in the cable to facilitate 2 independant connections. Still taking up 2 ports on the originating switch.

I have used them in the past to actually just split a single connection as pjpjpjpj is suggesting he wants to do, I realise now this is not the correct useage and not recommended. I eventually had issues with this, with one or both of the devices after a while failing to get a connection.

By all means use them as intended, i.e. in pairs as the diagram demonstartes, that will give you what you want without issue. Of course to do that without a patch panel will require a coupler.

[BitBass]

The diagram on that link shows the pairs you need to split. If you can get hold of a crimp tool you can make your own splitter pretty easily and cheap too.

I've kept a pair (always have to do it in pairs) of split patch cables around for just this purpose. As others have said it won't support GigE but 100mb will work just fine over it. The in-wall wiring doesn't need to be modified. Just slap the split cable on both ends and it'll separate it.

It's not the prettiest thing but it works in a pinch and it's cheaper than a switch.