Top 5 Clever Hacks to Expand Ethernet Ports on Your Router
Expand your network effortlessly with additional Ethernet ports Ensure optimal performance by strategically placing devices and ports Consider faster Ethernet options for improved connectivity Experience flexibility by positioning the switch in a separate room Troubleshoot connectivity issues by inspecting your cables
Key Takeaways
In order to expand the number of Ethernet ports on your router, you can purchase an Ethernet switch and establish a connection between it and one of the existing ports on your router. It is important to note that the total bandwidth of all the ports on the Ethernet switch will be restricted to the bandwidth provided by the port on the router.
Add Ports With an Ethernet Switch
While the majority of us depend on wireless connectivity within our homes, wired internet frequently proves to be the superior option. Nonetheless, it is important to note that the majority of home routers are equipped with only a limited number of ports. Expanding the number of ports is a straightforward process; however, there are several factors to take into account when configuring the setup.To increase the number of Ethernet ports on your router, simply connect an Ethernet switch. Similar to power-bank extensions, these switches plug into an existing port on your router and provide additional ports based on your preference. The more you invest, the more ports you will have (higher-speed switches may come at a higher cost). Moreover, purchasing a switch with a higher speed than your router's port does not offer any advantage, as the router is the limiting factor, not the switch. Unless you anticipate using the switch for multiple router upgrades, it is advisable to choose a switch that matches the speed of the Ethernet port you are connecting to. If you wish to expand your Ethernet port range further, you can acquire additional Ethernet switches; however, it is recommended to avoid daisy-chaining switches for efficiency purposes.
Instead of repurposing an old router into a switch, it is more cost-effective to purchase a cheap and readily available switch, which is significantly less expensive than buying a new router. A four-port switch can be found for as low as $10 to $20, or even cheaper if gigabit speeds are not necessary. Similar to a router, a switch requires power from a wall adapter.
When purchasing a port, it's important to remember that many models will use one of the ports for connecting to your current router. Therefore, an Ethernet switch that claims to have five ports will actually only offer four extra ports for device plug-ins.
Most switches typically include an Ethernet cable that can be used to connect to your router. However, you will need to acquire additional cabling to connect your existing devices such as computers, smart TVs, and network drives. It's important to note that not all Ethernet cables are created equal, and faster cables are necessary to achieve higher speeds.
Consider Device and Port Placement Carefully
Ethernet switches function by distributing the available bandwidth of the port they are connected to on your router. Therefore, if your router has gigabit Ethernet ports and you acquire an appropriate Ethernet switch with four additional ports, the gigabit of bandwidth will be divided among those four ports whenever all the connected devices are being used simultaneously.
It is crucial to understand that the bandwidth is exclusively shared when all the devices are actively utilizing your network. Armed with this knowledge, you can make an effort to arrange your switch in a way that prevents overwhelming a single port.
For instance, if you typically use your work PC and games console separately, connecting them both to the same switch would not significantly impact performance. However, if you have a gaming PC that you use for streaming movies from a network drive at night, it is advisable to connect these two devices to separate ports on your router, rather than different ports on the same switch. This is because the switch's limited bandwidth could potentially affect the performance of either device.
By carefully planning your connections, you can ensure that only devices that are used at different times are connected to the switch. Additionally, you can group low bandwidth devices, such as printers, into separate switches, even if you are simultaneously using a more bandwidth-intensive device like a computer.
Faster Ethernet Ports Deliver Better Performance
Nowadays, the majority of routers should already come equipped with gigabit Ethernet ports, and there are even options available that boast 10Gb networking capabilities. If you're considering opting for a wired network setup in your home or office, it would be wise to invest in the most high-speed equipment that falls within your budgetary constraints. This may entail not only upgrading to a faster router, but also acquiring swifter Ethernet switches in order to eliminate any restrictions on bandwidth.
This holds particularly true when it is not feasible to prioritize devices based on their usage. For instance, if there are multiple computers in a single office linked to the same switch, or a family room with several gaming consoles that are likely to be simultaneously used for online gaming.
If your router is limited to supporting 100Mb networking, it is likely a good idea to consider upgrading. Gigabit Ethernet offers speeds of 1000Mb, which is ten times faster than the older standards. 10Gb Ethernet further enhances available bandwidth by ten times. Just make sure that you align the speed of your switch with the maximum throughput of your router.
If you do not possess devices that can support faster speeds, the following information may not be clear. However, there are already newer devices available that do support these speeds. Microsoft's Xbox Series X and Sony's PlayStation 5 both come equipped with gigabit Ethernet ports, and Apple offers the M1 Mac mini with an optional 10-gigabit Ethernet port if needed. It is also typical to find devices with intermediate speeds like 2.5Gb.
To determine what speed your router supports, check the bottom of the unit. Many routers list the speed of their ports, while others provide a model number that you can search for confirmation. Additionally, remember to purchase Ethernet cables that match the appropriate speed to fully utilize the faster ports.
You Can Place the Switch in a Different Room
Keeping your router and switch in the same room is not necessary. Ethernet switches offer a convenient solution by extending wired ports to an entire room, eliminating the need to relocate your router from its original position.
There are several methods you can employ: utilizing an Ethernet extension cable, opting for an Ethernet over coax adapter, or employing Ethernet over powerline. The first option is relatively straightforward, although it may be visually unappealing unless you're willing to undertake some wall plastering to conceal the cables. Ethernet-over-coax (MoCA) enables you to utilize existing coaxial cables already present within your walls.
Ethernet extension cable$12 $14 Save $2 Lay 25ft (7.7 meters) of Ethernet cable to extend your wired network without sacrificing speed.
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If your home has been wired for cable services, there is a possibility that you have coaxial cables installed in your walls. These connections offer faster speeds compared to wireless connections and come with fewer issues encountered by powerline adapters. It's important to note that not every home is wired for cable, so this may not be a viable option for everyone.
Ethernet Over Coaxial Kit$90 $150 Save $60 Use the coaxial cables in your wall to transport a wired Ethernet connection to wireless dead spots.
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Ethernet over powerline, although utilizing existing cables, does not guarantee fast speeds. These devices should only be considered as a last resort option. Many Ethernet powerline adapters promote a combined speed, which means that a claimed 1200Mb/sec speed may only offer 600Mb/sec in each direction. The speed you will actually receive is influenced by factors such as the age and quality of the cables, interference, and the amount you invest in the adapter.
Ethernet Over Powerline Kit$54 $60 Save $6 Use these powerline Ethernet adapters to extend your wired network without laying down fresh cable.
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The farther your destination is from the adapter, the greater the loss of speed is expected. Certain rooms may have different circuits, which is beneficial for working on the wiring in your house but detrimental for transmitting an Ethernet connection through the walls. Even the simple act of plugging in another device alongside an adapter can hinder performance.
Additionally, one must consider bandwidth saturation, as mentioned before. Powerline adapters offer a convenient means of expanding a wired network without the need for unsightly cables or extensive renovations. However, their usage comes at the expense of efficiency, and it is important to bear this in mind if maximum speed is a priority.
Ethernet Problems? Check Your Cables
Using wired networking remains the most dependable method for connecting your computers, smart devices, and gaming consoles to the internet. Unlike wireless networks, wired networks are less prone to interference, allowing for the potential of achieving significantly higher theoretical speeds. However, it's important to note that these enhanced capabilities may require a financial investment.
Make sure you understand the limitations that switches and powerline adapters introduce, and remember that many problems with wired networks can be solved simply by swapping out a few cables.
