The setup for this device is a little more complicated than using a simple Ethernet splitter and it's not recommended for Power over Ethernet (PoE) applications. It also has the caveat of only supporting up to 100 Mbps connection speeds, so it will not be able to take full advantage of Gigabit or faster Ethernet networks. You still need 2 free ports on your existing switch/router. Switches/routers only provide one connection per port. Trying to use a splitter to turn one connection into two won't work since that's the job of switches/hubs which clearly, a splitter is not either of. If you attempt to use this two turn one connection into two, I see two possible scenarios: Only one device will receive a connection, or, the port on the switch/router will fail to work properly with both devices connected.

However, Ethernet cable splitters are not perfect in fact. They can cause a slower speed for network traffic. According to a professional survey, an Ethernet splitter reduces the data throughput from 1000Mbps to 100Mbps. To get around that problem, you can use an Ethernet splitter, or rather, an Ethernet switch. These devices can take a singular incoming Ethernet connection and make it accessible to multiple users at the same time. This not only expands the number of available Ethernet connections for waiting devices but makes running the Ethernet cable much easier since you needn’t have multiple cables going around doors and through walls: just run one cable, with a splitter on the end. That gives you fast connectivity for two devices (or more if using an adapter) with only one intervening cable, making it much easier to set up and install, and it keeps cable clutter to a minimum. Instead of a splitter, your best option is to add a mini-switch, but you need to be careful with your wiring topology if you already have multiple other switches in your network. Twisted pair Ethernet, 10base-T, 100base-TX, 1000bast-T, etc. all need to be connected end-to-end. At each there is a transmission (TX) pair, and reception (RX) pair. This is how a cross-over cable works.You need two because you have to mux at one end and demux at the other. You plug two ethernet sources (e.g. ports on a switch) into one of these and connect it to a single cable run. You connect the other unit to the other end of that cable run and then connect two devices (e.g. computers) to it. Ethernet splitter is a device that has three Ethernet ports – two on one side and one on the other. Each pair of Ethernet splitters only channels two cables as it depends on the pretty old 100BASE-T standard. Ethernet cable splitters allow you to run with cable without passing through walls, floors, and ceilings. Even so, you need to prepare two cables. As for Ethernet splitter, they should be used in pairs just as mentioned before. Recommended reading: USB Splitter or USB Hub? This Guide to Help You Choose One The Advantages and Disadvantages of Ethernet Splitter

Whether you're a gamer looking to hook up all your friends' PCs at a LAN party or need some additional Ethernet ports in the office, you can expand your network's connectivity options with a good Ethernet switch. It takes an existing wired Ethernet connection, and splits it off into two, giving you the ability to connect what is effective, a single Ethernet connection, and share it between two distinct devices. An Ethernet splitter can be thought of a type of device that isn't a hub or a switch. It is a rather simple device that actually does nothing but connect two pairs of 2 Ethernet cables to a single Ethernet cable. If you don't trust Ethernet splitters then you can actually build a cable that does the exact same thing. Connecting an Ethernet cable doesn’t immediately mean you have access to the internet. The other end has to be connected to an internet-connected router or modem to do that. However, whether you’re online or not, being connected to the local network gives you the ability to connect to any other system on the network. This is ideal for playing localized games, for high-speed file sharing, or for accessing network-attached printers, scanners, and other devices where wireless connectivity is not possible, or desirable. It is, however, an ideal solution for expanding network functionality to pre-existing networks where running additional intervening cables is not ideal. It is perfect for situations in which a dedicated connection for each device is required, such as a printer alongside a laptop. A series configuration goes terminal to terminal, with each connected in parallel. Typically requires less overall cable length.

Types of Ethernet Couplers

T is what we commonly know as GBe, and it needs 4 pairs period; if a device claims it has a 1000Base-T link on 2 pairs it probably has mis-negotiated or not negotiated the link at all, and won't work. Although those two devices do need to share the overall connection speed of the Ethernet cable that runs between the router and the switch, it’s still far more reliable and stable than Wi-Fi which could see the two devices competing for frequency as much as bandwidth.