{"id":441194,"date":"2022-05-03T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-03T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/ethernet-splitter-vs-switch-whats-the-difference\/"},"modified":"2022-05-03T15:00:00","modified_gmt":"2022-05-03T12:00:00","slug":"ethernet-splitter-vs-switch-whats-the-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/ethernet-splitter-vs-switch-whats-the-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"#Ethernet Splitter vs. Switch: What\u2019s the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a41db5b9186e\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a41db5b9186e\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/ethernet-splitter-vs-switch-whats-the-difference\/#%E2%80%9CEthernet_Splitter_vs_Switch_Whats_the_Difference%E2%80%9D\" >&#8220;Ethernet Splitter vs. Switch: What\u2019s the Difference?&#8221;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/ethernet-splitter-vs-switch-whats-the-difference\/#What_Is_an_Ethernet_Splitter\" >What Is an Ethernet Splitter?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/ethernet-splitter-vs-switch-whats-the-difference\/#An_Ethernet_Switch_Offers_True_Expandability\" >An Ethernet Switch Offers True Expandability<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/ethernet-splitter-vs-switch-whats-the-difference\/#Consider_Reusing_an_Old_Wi-Fi_Router\" >Consider Reusing an Old Wi-Fi Router<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CEthernet_Splitter_vs_Switch_Whats_the_Difference%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>&#8220;Ethernet Splitter vs. Switch: What\u2019s the Difference?&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<div>\n<figure style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"type:primaryImage wp-image-799534 size-full\" data-pagespeed-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/ehternet-cables-twisted-pair.jpg?width=398&amp;trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1 400w, https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/ehternet-cables-twisted-pair.jpg?width=1198&amp;trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, 400w, 1200w\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/ehternet-cables-twisted-pair.jpg?width=1198&amp;trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"A pair of Ethernet cables twisted around each other.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" data-crediturl=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/pair-twisted-ethernet-lan-network-cables-152614946\" data-credittext=\"kiri11\/Shutterstock.com\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"type:primaryImage imagecredit\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/pair-twisted-ethernet-lan-network-cables-152614946\">kiri11\/Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Short on Ethernet ports and looking to connect an extra device or two to your wired network setup? You\u2019re likely to encounter two options: an Ethernet splitter, and an Ethernet switch. Here\u2019s why you should choose the switch every time.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_an_Ethernet_Splitter\"><\/span>What Is an Ethernet Splitter?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>An <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Splitter-Aoiutrn-Connector-Ethernet-Extender\/dp\/B09BDT2VXF?tag=hotoge-20\">Ethernet splitter<\/a> is a simple device with three Ethernet ports on it. The idea is to allow you to run two Ethernet devices along a single cable without having to purchase and power a switch or run more cables. Splitters are incredibly cheap, but that\u2019s where the positives end.<\/p>\n<p>To use splitters, you\u2019ll need two: one to connect your two devices, and another at the other end to \u201cunsplit\u201d the connection. This means you\u2019ll still be using the same number of Ethernet ports on your router as if you were using two separate cables. You don\u2019t add any Ethernet ports by using a splitter, you simply share a single cable.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-798847 size-full\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/ethernet_splitter.jpg?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Ethernet Splitter\" width=\"650\" height=\"302\" data-credittext=\"Aoiutrn\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\">Aoiutrn<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The other big downside to using a splitter is the speed penalty you\u2019ll encounter when doing so. A splitter will reduce a Cat 5e throughput from its rated 1000Mb (gigabit) speed to a paltry 100Mb. This isn\u2019t so bad if you\u2019re only using your wired network with a low-tier internet plan, but for faster connections, for transferring files, or streaming <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">media<\/a> over the network, the slower speeds will pose a problem.<\/p>\n<p>By now you\u2019ve probably worked this out, but we\u2019d recommend against using splitters unless you\u2019re completely out of options.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"An_Ethernet_Switch_Offers_True_Expandability\"><\/span>An Ethernet Switch Offers True Expandability<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A better option for adding more Ethernet devices is to use a powered switch. You can connect a switch to a single port on your router and add additional ports. There\u2019s no need to \u201cunsplit\u201d the connections at the end since your router sees the switch as a single device.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-798848 size-full\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/ethernet_switch_tp-link.jpg?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"TP-Link Ethernet Switch\" width=\"650\" height=\"297\" data-credittext=\"TP-Link\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\">TP-Link<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>There are some things to keep in mind when you use a switch. Since any devices you connect to a switch will be sharing a single port, it\u2019s a good idea to split up devices that you might be using at the same time. This will ensure that one device won\u2019t slow the other down. The speed of your router\u2019s ports and network cable can make a big difference here too.<\/p>\n<p>You can buy cheap network switches that add four ports to your router for less than $20 (like the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Ethernet-Splitter-Optimization-Unmanaged-TL-SG105\/dp\/B00A128S24\/?tag=hotoge-20\">TP-Link TL-SG105<\/a>). Be aware that even though devices are often sold as \u201cfive port\u201d switches (for example), one of the ports will be used to make the connection back to your router.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Consider_Reusing_an_Old_Wi-Fi_Router\"><\/span>Consider Reusing an Old Wi-Fi Router<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019re tight on cash and want more Ethernet ports, why not use your old router as a network switch? It\u2019s a great way to reduce your e-waste.<\/p>\n<p>Not sure if you will see much of a benefit from going wired over wireless? See how much faster Ethernet is compared with Wi-Fi.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script>\n setTimeout(function(){\n  !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)\n  {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?\n  n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};\n  if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';\n  n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;\n  t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];\n  s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s) } (window, document,'script',\n  'https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');\n   fbq('init', '335401813750447');\n   fbq('track', 'PageView');\n  },3000);\n<\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/797864\/ethernet-splitter-vs.-switch-whats-the-difference\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Ethernet Splitter vs. Switch: What\u2019s the Difference?&#8221; kiri11\/Shutterstock.com Short on Ethernet ports and looking to connect an extra device or two to your wired network setup? You\u2019re likely to encounter two options: an Ethernet splitter, and an Ethernet switch. Here\u2019s why you should choose the switch every time. What Is an Ethernet Splitter? An Ethernet&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":441195,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/ehternet-cables-twisted-pair.jpg?height=200p&trim=2,2,2,2","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-441194","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/441194","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=441194"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/441194\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/441195"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=441194"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=441194"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=441194"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}