How-To Upgrade a Router with a Switch

An explanation into how to augment the number of Ethernet connections with an Ethernet switch.

Steve Smith explains why stationary devices should be connected with Ethernet, the impacts this will have on their own speed and fidelity, which will reduce interference and crosstalk over your own wireless network. As a bonus, he, also, explains how to augment the number of available Ethernet connections using a proper Ethernet switch.

Episode #5-34 released on May 14, 2015

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Wireless devices are all the rage, but what does one need to do to connect 5 or more devices to a single router by RJ-45 cable?

Wireless is simple, but it can be slower than using a physical RJ-45 cable. Using hard line cables means you have better and fast throughput and the fidelity of the signal is maintained. Unless, you cat eats the cable, of course. The big issue though is manufactures make routers with a single WAN connection, and 4 LAN connections. This means you can only connect 4 devices at a time, or can you?

Routers are able to address 255 devices, in theory. They really can't because processor can only handle so much in consumer routers, it would actually in signal latency. However, this shouldn't stop you for connecting one more game console, or finally connecting your Apple TV to a faster connection. To do this what you need is not another router, just to put it into a switch mode. You only need an Ethernet switch.

Now, there are a lot of Ethernet switches out there, and there are a few things you need to know before you buy one.

The first thing is, you need to determine the number of connections you need. Routers normally have 5 connections, 1 for the WAN. You will, also, be sending a LAN cable to the Ethernet switch. This means your router will now have 3 available connections, the rest will be on the switch. If you purchase a 4-port switch, this will allow you to connect 3 more devices, for a total of 6 devices. If you purchase an 8-port switch, you will be able to connect 10 devices, and if you purchase a 16-port switch, you will be able to connect 18 devices to your network via RJ-45 cable.

Now, I recently purchased the Asus GX-D1081 Ethernet Switch, an 8 X Gigabit LAN. Why, I, also, need more connections. Many of you might ask, how does one set it up? I'll be very frank, it took me longer to mount it to the wall, then to actually set it up. Just plug a cable from your router to the switch, anywhere is fine on the switch. Plug the switch it, plug any devices you had no more space for on the switch, and you are done. No software, no setup, just plug and plug. And, yes, there is literally no difference for Windows, or any other operating system, it is being managed by the router.

Host : Steve Smith | Music : Jonny Lee Hart | Editor : Steve Smith | Producer : Zed Axis Productions

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