Ethernet Splitter – What Are They And Exactly How Can They Be Used?
So what exactly is an ethernet cable splitter? Do not make the collective misconception some do after looking around on the internet and think they can use one to split an internet connection. As the name insinuates, it’s a ‘splitter’, so why wouldn’t you be able to share your internet connection and use it on different computers? These splitters are not intended for sharing an internet connection. Read on to see what an ethernet cable splitter is best used for and how they should be used and setup.
As stated previously, a splitter isn’t used to share an internet connection. Some don’t realize this until after they purchase one and realize their computer doesn’t work at all. So what is an ethernet cable splitter for then? An ethernet splitter is designed to reduce the amount of ethernet cable you need when connecting two networks. What we are speaking about here isn’t an ‘internet’ network, but rather two LANs (local area networks) or 2 or more computer devices. Ethernet cable splitters must be used in pairs. They work because LAN traffic only uses four wires of the cable, but these cables actually have 8 wires internally.
So, an ethernet cable splitter can save on cable by forcing two lanes of traffic down one ethernet cable. Hopefully you can see now how they enable you to save cable. So for example if you needed to put together a pair of computers in two separate rooms, you would not have to use two cat 5 cables, only two ethernet splitters. This is a common example of how you would only need one cable with a splitter at both ends.
Splitters have to be used in pairs, this is the other thing some people don’t realize at first. Some have purchased a single splitter and will get frustrated until they realize they need another. Using just a single splitter means that traffic can travel into the cable, but when it reaches the other end nothing happens. Using just one ethernet splitter means that traffic can travel into the ethernet cable, but when it reaches the other end nothing happens.
If only one ethernet cable splitter were used, then there would be confusion at the receiving end. The receiving device detects one cable with 2 lanes of network traffic, this isn’t how network traffic should travel. This issue is solved by using an ethernet splitter which correctly separates the single lane of traffic back into 2 lanes before sending it onto the receiving computers. This is why using pairs of splitters is important, otherwise nothing will work.
You should now be able to see why an ethernet splitter won’t work for sharing an internet connection and the correct way they should be used. To cut down on the amount of cable needed in a network, ethernet splitters can be used. Just remember they are not used for sharing internet connections.
To get additional information or to purchase your ethernet splitter click over to Ethernetsplitter.ws