Question about using a network splitter?

Im wondering why it wouldnt be possible for me to use a ethernet cable splitter to hook up to computers to one cable modem. I dont need wireless so i was looking for a splitter. I got one but only one computer will connect when theyre both hooked up.

any help?

thanks Nick

No.

You need a router. You should be able to find a 4-port 10Mb one for under $20.

Get a router. That'll do you.

Yep. You can't split an ethernet connection with a simple phone-jack type splitter. Just get a router. They're almost free. If you get one with wireless support, you can have Wi-Fi in your house.

A router or a switch. splitting the cat5e will just lead to signal degradation.

simple answer? Craigslist. $10.

It has to be a router. A switch won't work. The cable modem will only allocate one LAN address. (Unless it's an unusual cable modem.)

Triple edit: Don't read anything I wrote below and go get a router. I'm thinking about too many different things today.

edit again: content deleted so I don't look like a dumbass

billy3esq wrote: It has to be a router. A switch won't work. The cable modem will only allocate one LAN address. (Unless it's an unusual cable modem.)

I thought router and switch were the same thing. It's a Hub that won't assign multiple IP addresses.

Salanis wrote:

billy3esq wrote: It has to be a router. A switch won't work. The cable modem will only allocate one LAN address. (Unless it's an unusual cable modem.)

I thought router and switch were the same thing. It's a Hub that won't assign multiple IP addresses.

They are not the same thing. The router routes outside traffic from the internet to the desired computer connected on your local network. A switch just allows the computers connected to your local network to talk to each other, with some extra smarts built in that make it more efficient than a hub which sends the data to all the computers and only the one that requested it accepts. A bonus benefit of a router is it acts as a firewall between your PC and the internet. A PC should never be connected directly to a cable or DSL modem even if you only have 1 computer buy a router.

billy3esq wrote: It has to be a router. A switch won't work. The cable modem will only allocate one LAN address. (Unless it's an unusual cable modem.)

Most cable modems now days hand out multiple private IP's

Offer this guy $20 and be done with this thread

http://flint.craigslist.org/sys/960611602.html

Salanis wrote:

billy3esq wrote: It has to be a router. A switch won't work. The cable modem will only allocate one LAN address. (Unless it's an unusual cable modem.)

I thought router and switch were the same thing. It's a Hub that won't assign multiple IP addresses.

Neither a switch nor a hub assign addresses. A switch (usually) passes packets from one input port to one output port. A hub passes packets from any port to all other ports. Thus, if A, B, and C are all connected to a hub and A sends a packet to B, C will also see it and vice versa. Conversely, if A, B, and C are all connected to a switch, A can send packets to only B or C and vice versa.

The confusion arises in that most home gateways act as routers, firewalls, NATs/PATs (network/port address translators), switches, and DHCP servers. Some such devices even include DSL (or apparently cable) modems.

Grtechguy wrote:

billy3esq wrote: It has to be a router. A switch won't work. The cable modem will only allocate one LAN address. (Unless it's an unusual cable modem.)

Most cable modems now days hand out multiple private IP's

The ones I've seen around here don't, although that is common with DSL modems these days. However, every such device I've ever seen includes multiple LAN ports (or wireless), so the OP likely wouldn't be asking about splitting an Ethernet connection if he had such a device.

billy3esq wrote: Neither a switch nor a hub assign addresses. A switch (usually) passes packets from one input port to one output port. A hub passes packets from any port to all other ports. Thus, if A, B, and C are all connected to a hub and A sends a packet to B, C will also see it and vice versa. Conversely, if A, B, and C are all connected to a switch, A can send packets to only B or C and vice versa.

So... most routers have multiple ports (say 6). Does that mean it's a router with a 6-port switch? But if it only has one output port it would just be a router, but not a switch?

I swear there's some overlap in the devices somewhere. Or my brain is just melty today.

There is some overlap, but that doesn't mean your brain isn't melty.

In essence, yes, a SOHO gateway with multiple LAN Ethernet ports is also a switch. The switching functionality occurs when computer A, connected to a first LAN port sends data to computer B, also connected to a LAN port. The routing function of the device is not required for this to happen.

Conversely, an Apple AirPort Express, which has only one Ethernet port, does not act as a switch when used as a gateway, but does act as a router. To add to the confusion, it's also a bridge (bridging the wireless and wired networks) and a hub (all wireless devices see all wireless traffic, regardless of destination).

It could also be a Layer 3 Switch (ie: a switch capable of routing between different IP networks) :p

Most people that know what a layer 3 switch is use the terms "router" and "layer 3 switch" interchangeably in most cases.

Well yeah, there's that too lol