Ethernet Splitter or Switch?

[Tyler B]

Hello, currently I am living on a college campus where I only have one Ethernet port available. I was looking at ways I could run 2 devices (PC and Xbox One) to this Ethernet port. What would be better a switch or a splitter. I was looking at getting a switch but wasn't sure if it would work for what I am using it for. The Ethernet port calls for Cat5E cable, not sure if that makes a difference.

 

[kenmahan]

You need a switch. A splitter would probably be a hub and they dont really exist anymore.

 

[why_wolf]

a switch is a splitter, so yes buy a switch.

 

[mbarnes86]

Hi

Ask your college to confirm they dont limit the number of devices you can connect before buying a switch or switch/wireless access point

Splitters used to be popular when networks ran at 10MB/s
You required one at both end of the ethernet cable.
This saved the cost of running a second network cable to a location

They dont work at 100MB/s or more

regards
Mike Barnes

 

[boosted1g]

As mbarnes said you need to ask your college if you can even do that before even buying one.

In larger scale installations you can actually limit the number of IP addresses per port to 1, or even lock the port to a specific computer.

Thus buying a switch would be useless.

So talk to your college IT deparment to see if you can install a switch or your own wifi router.
Depending on policy and management they would rather grant you permission then you try to take matters into your own hands and cause a security concern.