Ethernet switch can add router ports without replacing hardware, Engadget says
Engadget reports that a plug-and-play Ethernet switch can expand a router's wired capacity when LAN ports run out, without requiring a new router or network reconfiguration.
Most home routers include four LAN ports and one WAN port, according to Engadget. The WAN port connects to a modem, leaving four ports for devices such as smart TVs, game consoles, desktop computers, NAS drives and home office equipment. Engadget reports that needs can change after a router is purchased, such as when a smart TV buffers after a 4K streaming upgrade and the owner no longer wants it on Wi-Fi.
An Ethernet switch, not a splitter, adds connections to the existing router. It can add four, seven, 15 or more ports depending on the model, and common retail versions have five, eight or 16 ports. Because one port is used to connect the switch to the router, the usable number is one fewer. Unmanaged switches are typically the best choice for most people because they require no setup and cost less. Managed switches offer monitoring and virtual networks, features Engadget says are unnecessary when the goal is simply more ports.
A router directs traffic between a home network and the internet, while a basic switch does not. It provides additional Ethernet ports and sends data from connected devices to the correct destination, according to Engadget. A switch does not replace the router or affect Wi-Fi performance. Wired Ethernet remains preferable for online gaming, 4K streaming and large file transfers because it can deliver better and more consistent performance than Wi-Fi, the report says.
Port speed matters. Engadget notes that Ethernet performance is affected by the standards supported by the router port, the device port and the cable. If a computer and router both support 2.5 gigabit Ethernet and the cable supports 2.5 Gbps, a switch limited to 1 gigabit will bottleneck devices connected to it. Most unmanaged switches now offer at least gigabit speeds. If a router's ports are not labeled with standards such as 1G or 2.5G, users should check the manual or online documentation. The report advises plugging the switch into the router's highest-speed port that it can use, while noting that internet speeds remain capped by the ISP plan. Direct connections within the network, such as a PC communicating with a NAS, are not affected by that cap.
If running new cables through walls is not realistic, Engadget says there are alternatives. MoCA adapters send broadband over a home's coaxial wiring, and powerline adapters do the same through electrical outlets. Surface-mounted fiber optic kits allow very thin cables to run along baseboards for high-speed performance without signal degradation, though Engadget reports this option is more expensive and requires careful installation to avoid damaging the cables.