Connecting three network devices to two Ethernet ports

googler

My BT Homehub has two Ethernet connections on the rear. I now find I have three devices that I want to connect via Ethernet to the Hub.

What are my options? Will a passive three-into-two adaptor work, or do I need some form of powered device? Networking isn't my strong point, as you'll gather......

santer_2

One way

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwan/lanwan-basics/31442-how-to-add-ports-to-a-router

Or an hub, see post 9

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47672

Notmyrealname

Those splitters are more for sending two physical router connections down one network cable and the speed is slowed to 10Mbit.

You need a 4 port or 8 port "switch" as mentioned above. You connect one port from the Homehub to the switch and the switch takes care of the rest. They're not expensive.

Here's one from Amazon for £20 delivered.

Inner_Zone

Get a five or eight port switch and some Ethernet cables.

Example:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-Unmanaged-Desktop-TL-SF1005D-Plastic/dp/B000FNFSPY/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1342797705&sr=1-1

Thought I have the Netgear above myself.

hawkeye9999

Is it a really really really old Hub with only 2 ports or do you only have 2 free.

Will BT upgrade (or replace cough a "broken") hub

googler

hawkeye9999 wrote: »

Is it a really really really old Hub with only 2 ports or do you only have 2 free.

Will BT upgrade (or replace cough a "broken") hub

It's the old white one.

I hadn't thought about merely upgrading, take it the newer ones have three at least...?

hawkeye9999

The Hub 2 have 4 100Mb
The Hub 3 have 3 100Mb + 1Gb

hawkeye9999

Personally I would go with an 8 port switch to future proof myself, but I'm a gadget nutcase.

With an 8 port and your existing hub it will allow you 9 devices (is this over kill)

We don't know your house, as a new switch is powered do you have a spare socket?

For Neatness, I would look at a BT upgrade.

getmore4less

Put a request on freecycle

plenty of old network kit around from people upgrading

You can use just about any hub,switch,router to achieve what you want as long as they have more than 2 ports

(BT, VM or or regular routers will all work as switches but need some config work but chances are someone has one spare from an upgrade)


Another option is to look out for a homeplug kit with multiple ports for future use in other rooms.
these occationaly come up cheapish but still more than a cheap switch

Or just go wireless for some devices.

jayme1

if you can't get a free router (with more ethernet ports) to replace your old one from BT, then as others say all you need a switch, they are very cheap nowadays here's an 8 port 10/100 TP-Link one from amazon for £8.56