Split Network cable to cater for multiple devices

[TrevorMal]

Hi,

Is it possible to split a LAN cable to cater for two or more devices? My scenario i have my router downstairs, i have cable running from the router to my room upstairs to connect my desktop PC and laptop currently connected to WiFi.

Am experiencing poor WiFi speed and connection drops it's difficult to work with it i have to disconnect desktop every now then this is a problem. i need to solve permanently since am working from home.

How can split this network cable to cater for both devices or improve my WiFi connect to be stable, i have WiFi extender and it's not helping. Am using a router i got from ISP some random D-Link router.

Any advise will be welcome.

 

[ThatGuy_ZA]

Why not just buy an access point or a switch?

 

[iamgigglz]

If you want to connect two devices to the cable you're going to need a switch - something like this and you'll be sorted.

What's the model number of your wifi extender? Some can be used as an access point. Plug the cable into the extender and you can create your own "Trevor's Room" wifi. Of course then you're stealing the cable from your PC so you'd still need a switch anyway. It just means your laptop (and phone) get a beefy wifi signal.

 

[TrevorMal]

Why not just buy an access point or a switch?

Thanks i will try that option

 

[TrevorMal]

If you want to connect two devices to the cable you're going to need a switch - something like this and you'll be sorted.

What's the model number of your wifi extender? Some can be used as an access point. Plug the cable into the extender and you can create your own "Trevor's Room" wifi. Of course then you're stealing the cable from your PC so you'd still need a switch anyway. It just means your laptop (and phone) get a beefy wifi signal.

Thanks so much i will go the shops and buy a switch, and for more reliable WiFi do i buy another WiFi router that will be connected to switch?

 

[iamgigglz]

Thanks so much i will go the shops and buy a switch, and for more reliable WiFi do i buy another WiFi router that will be connected to switch?

Not a router - you want an access point. Like I say though; your existing wifi repeater probably has an access point mode.
Don't forget you'll need some extra network cables along with your switch. Make sure you get Cat 5e (or Cat 6 but it's not necessary), not Cat 5.

 

[PsyWulf]

I'll split this into 2:

1) technically,you can use 2 pairs for 1 machine,and 2 pairs for the next on both ends of the network cable and 2xRJ45 connectors per end (which will limit you to 100Mbps on both)

2) Rather get a switch or 2nd Router (to cover the Wifi) and add a few ports upstairs

 

[TrevorMal]

I'll split this into 2:

1) technically,you can use 2 pairs for 1 machine,and 2 pairs for the next on both ends of the network cable and 2xRJ45 connectors per end (which will limit you to 100Mbps on both)

2) Rather get a switch or 2nd Router (to cover the Wifi) and add a few ports upstairs

So i can get any router it will work?

 

[PsyWulf]

So i can get any router it will work?

95%
Only router I know that definitely doesn't work well for this is a B315

 

[Phence]

You can splice the cable by cutting it and connecting to to another connector. You only needs the cores 1-3, and there's 9 cores so you can split it three times.

Just cut the cable and see there should be 3 pairs of the same colour you can join to different connectors.

If you need help just post a pic of the cable and we'll direct you.

 

[iamgigglz]

95%
Only router I know that definitely doesn't work well for this is a B315

Why spend the money on a router when all you need is an access point?
I see routers used as access points all the time and it does my head in. It’s like buying a camper van and only using it for commuting.

 

[WiZard]

You can splice the cable by cutting it and connecting to to another connector. You only needs the cores 1-3, and there's 9 cores so you can split it three times.

Just cut the cable and see there should be 3 pairs of the same colour you can join to different connectors.

If you need help just post a pic of the cable and we'll direct you.

There are 4 pairs (8 cores), 100Mbps ethernet only uses 2 pairs, on pins 1,2 and 3,6.

 

[PsyWulf]

Why spend the money on a router when all you need is an access point?
I see routers used as access points all the time and it does my head in. It’s like buying a camper van and only using it for commuting.

If we were talking the price difference between a scooter and a learjet - sure buy the absolute minimum

But we're not,
We're talking about a guy using a single laptop and wanting a bit more wireless coverage. The retail price for an AP you can buy a pretty decent router,that has the added bonus of being able to do 700 more things
Also there are far more used routers for sale than APs on any given tuesday

 

[Inzane007]

I think we should take a step back, it's very easy to buy something that won't provide the full solution or something that will be hard to setup.

Correct me if I'm wrong @TrevorMal you don't seem to be too clued up when it comes to networks.

If I understand it correctly, you'd like to have multiple devices use the cable but not necessarily physically split the cable. Also the devices can be both wired or wireless.

In this case I'd use a MikroTik hAP lite

Takealot

www.takealot.com

(you should be able to source one on the forums for less)

These Mikrotiks are extremely versatile, you can use them in almost any network situation.

This MikroTik will have to be setup as an access point with DHCP disabled, unless you want to split your network up. This way the router will assign all the IP's and you will be able to use MikroTik for both wired and wireless connections.

I can get this locally for you at R510 and I'll set it up for to just to plug in and use, then courier it off to you. Or you can buy one and I'll set it up over the internet for you.

 

[TrevorMal]

When it comes to networks all i know is the basics of connecting the devices, i have a desktop computer no wifi needs wired connection, i have work laptop has wifi but i want it wired for stable connection, all this is in my bed room which is floor about my router which is in the living room so we need wifi for mobile devices. I have cheap Wi-Fi extender which doesn't work that well.


I went to Leroy Merlin near me they claimed to have LAN cable splitter of some sort but currently out of stock will check Matrix, Incredible Connections and Computer Mania forva, switch or splitter of that doesn't work then i will get a professional, some people have stated that they are experts in networking here on carb.

 

[souljazk]

Buy a Mikrotik, put it in AP mode & do a little configuration. The wifi is mad decent for the price & you'll have exta Gb ports to use as a switch.

MikroTik hAP ac Lite Tower Dual Band 5 Port Ethernet WiFi Router | RB952Ui-5ac2nD-TC (NO Gbps ports)

or

MikroTik hAP ac2 5 Port Gigabit 1200Mbps WiFi 5 Router | RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC

MikroTik's RB-HAPAC2 is a Dual-concurrent Access Point that provides WiFi coverage for 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies at the same time. Five 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports provide Gigabit connections for your wired devices, and USB can be used for external stora

scoop.co.za

 

[dotnerd]

You can split it for sure, if you want to connect 2 ISDN devices :-D

Small switch, only way you should be doing this.

 

[P1000]

Buy a Mikrotik, put it in AP mode & do a little configuration. The wifi is mad decent for the price & you'll have exta Gb ports to use as a switch.

MikroTik hAP ac Lite Tower Dual Band 5 Port Ethernet WiFi Router | RB952Ui-5ac2nD-TC (NO Gbps ports)

or

MikroTik hAP ac2 5 Port Gigabit 1200Mbps WiFi 5 Router | RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC

MikroTik's RB-HAPAC2 is a Dual-concurrent Access Point that provides WiFi coverage for 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies at the same time. Five 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports provide Gigabit connections for your wired devices, and USB can be used for external stora

scoop.co.za

Mikrotiks are great devices, but I would not recommend them to people that did not come to that conclusion by themselves. (unless you like doing tech support for free...)

 

[solz]

you can definitely split it into two, have done it on impossible runs to connect a WiFi device and camera they anyways only supported 10/100mb and poe was/is working fine on them. but not that you have to split both ends it cant be plugged into 1 ports on switch to 2 devices.

 

[souljazk]

Mikrotiks are great devices, but I would not recommend them to people that did not come to that conclusion by themselves. (unless you like doing tech support for free...)

Fair point. On the main screen you can just select "AP" and it will pretty much do the rest for you Once setup, they basically just go , go , go..