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d="m319.6 1009.2 3.9 2.218-3.1 1.7744-3.9435-2.2z"></path><path d="m308.6 1006.5 2.2158 1 1.7 1.1884v2.6617l-1.1599-.6536c.32036-.3877.36414-.8125.36447-1.1208.00091-.7897-.58161-1.4308-1.3353-1.822-.32119-.1667-1.1852-.356-1.8058.03z"></path><path d="m311.76 1004.8 3.9335 2.218-3.1 1.7744-3.9435-2.218z"></path><path d="m236.57 912.7 2.2 1 1.7 1.1885v2.6616l-1.1599-.65351c.32036-.38778.36413-.81251.36446-1.1208.00092-.7897-.5816-1.4307-1.3353-1.822-.32119-.16673-1.1852-.35603-1.8058.03z"></path><path d="m239.7 910.9 3.9 2.218-3.1 1.7744-3.9435-2.2z"></path><path d="m646.86 920.78-3.9335 2.218 3.1 1.7744 3.9435-2.2z"></path></g><g fill=#b4b4b4><path d="m315.7 1007 .008 2.6617-3.1 1.7744-.008-2.7z"></path><path d="m243.6 913.16.008 2.6616-3.1 1.7743-.008-2.7z"></path><path d="m642.9 923-.008 2.7 3.1 1.7744.008-2.7z"></path></g><path d="m762.2 974.12 4.77 2.69v2.31l-4.78-2.7z"style=fill:#1cf100;stroke-width:.9></path><path d="m755.95 971.7 2.4 1.35v1.17l-2.4-1.4z"style=fill:#505050;stroke-width:.4></path><path d="m752.27 970.07 3.08 1.66v1.15l-3.09-1.7z"style=fill:#505050;stroke-width:.4></path><path d="m756.51 964.05 2.77 1.56v1.34l-2.77-1.6z"style=fill:#505050;stroke-width:.5></path><path d="m752.99 962.37 2.52 1.42v1.22l-2.53-1.4z"style=fill:#505050;stroke-width:.5></path></g></svg><h1>The difference between an ethernet splitter a hub and a switch</h1><div class=post-header><div><small> By </small> Christopher Kielty <span class=nowrap> <small> Updated </small> Nov 02, 2020 </span></div><span> <a class=rss href=/rss title=rss> rss </a> </span><span> <a @eastmanref class=tweet href=https://twitter.com/eastmanref rel=nofollow target=_blank title=follow> follow </a> <small class=follow-tweet-divider> / </small> <a class=tweet href=https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The%20difference%20between%20an%20ethernet%20splitter%20a%20hub%20and%20a%20switch&url=https%3A%2F%2Feastmanreference.com%2Fthe-difference-between-an-ethernet-splitter-a-switch-and-a-hub&via=eastmanref&related=eastmanref rel=nofollow target=_blank title=tweet> tweet </a> </span><span> <a class=share href=https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Feastmanreference.com%2Fthe-difference-between-an-ethernet-splitter-a-switch-and-a-hub rel=nofollow target=_blank title=share> share </a> </span></div><p>Ethernet splitters, hubs, and network switches can all be used to expand a network. Each of these devices has its own unique strengths and weaknesses. In this guide we'll go over how each of these handy tools work, how they differ from each other, and how each one is best used.<p>Ethernet splitters have their uses. But I think network switches are better for most situations. I really like the <a href=https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-5-Port-Gigabit-Ethernet-Unmanaged/dp/B07S98YLHM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=eastmanref-20&linkId=2537e85f8f2cccd677639bb93596feed&language=en_US rel=sponsored target=_blank> <svg height=16 width=22><g stroke=none><circle cx=6.5 cy=14.5 r=1.5></circle><circle cx=16.5 cy=14.48 r=1.5 style=stroke-width:3></circle></g><g fill=none><path d="M 18,11.48 H 5 L 3,0.48 H 1.2e-7"></path><path d="m 4.5,9.48 h 14 l 2,-7 h -17"></path></g></svg> Netgear 5-Port Gigabit Switch </a> . Keep reading below to find out why this is probably what you want. ( <em> This page has one affiliate link </em> <svg height=14 width=22><g stroke=none><circle cx=10 cy=12.5 r=1></circle><ellipse cx=15 cy=12.5 rx=1 ry=1></ellipse></g><g fill=none><path d="M 16,11 H 7.5 L 6.5,3 H 4"></path><path d="m 7.5,9 h 9 l 1,-5 H 7"></path><path d="m 3.5,1 c -1.74,1 -3,2.77 -3,6 -0,3.27 1.24,6 3,7"></path><path d="m 18.5,1 c 1.74,1 3,2.77 3,6 0,3.27 -1.24,6 -3,7"></path></g></svg> <em> . As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. </em> )<h2>Ethernet Splitter</h2><svg viewbox="0 0 720 134"><g transform=translate(0,-261.55)><g transform=matrix(2.4591,0,0,2.4591,-218.48,-1131.6)><path d="m339.7 592.08c-7.77-4.84-19.68-10.8-27.36-11.7-64.76-7.9-114.38 49.22-164.71 27.85l-1.96-1.11"fill=none stroke=#009ce0 stroke-width=2.4></path><g stroke-width=.4 transform=translate(0)><path d="m355 617.3-19.68-11.1c-2-7.8-2-6 0-9.3 0-1.8 19.7 7.5 19.7 11.1 0 0 2.8 7.8 0 9.3z"fill=#4b4b4b></path><path d="m333.4 591.37v9.32l1.97 5.55v-9.32c3.54-2 0-5.32-1.97-5.55z"fill=#222></path><path d="m355 617.33 17.72-9.98v-9.32c-3.54-1.55-18.11 7.98-17.72 10z"fill=#4b4b4b></path><path d="m362.6 610.9-5.12 2.88v-3.99l1.58-.89v-.44l1.96-1.11v.44l1.58-.88z"></path><path d="m343.3 585.83-9.82 5.54 1.96 5.55 19.68 11.09 17.72-9.98-19.69-11.1z"fill=#6d6d6d></path></g><path d="m88 576.21c7.32 3.57 14.182 8.55 21.192 13.13"fill=none stroke=#009ce0 stroke-width=2.2></path><path d="m88.1 568.04c7.794 3.62 14.557 9.11 19.647 12.54 1.84 1.24 5.41 3.87 5.41 3.87"fill=none stroke=#009ce0 stroke-width=2.2></path><g stroke-width=.4><path d="m121.6 608.17-19.68-11.09v-9.32c3.94-2.22 23.62 8.87 19.68 11.09 0 0 2.76 7.76 0 9.32z"fill=#444></path><path d="m131.5 599.96c1.97-3.33-9.84-5.55-9.84-1.11v9.32l9.84 1.1c2.76-1.99 1.97-9.98 0-9.31z"fill=#555></path><path d="m141.3 594.41c-3.94-4.43-15.75 2.22-9.85 5.55v9.31l9.85-5.54z"fill=#5e5e5e></path><path d="m131.5 599.96 9.85-5.55-1.58-5.76-19.68-11.09-18.11 10.2 19.68 11.1z"fill=#6d6d6d></path><path d="m139 602.4-5.12 2.88v-3.99l1.58-.89v-.44l1.96-1.11v.44l1.58-.88z"></path></g><path d="m138.2 599.29.39-.22 3.15 1.77v3.11l-4.33 2.4-3.15-1.78v-.44l1.59.6 1.56 1.17 3.94-2.21v-2.67l-1.98-.83z"fill=#dcdcdc></path><path d="m138.17 602.84s1.57.89 2.76 1.55c1.18.67 3.11 1.85 5.52 3.14"fill=none stroke=#009ce0 stroke-width=2.2></path><path d="m141.3 601.1-2.2 1-1.7 1.19v2.66l1.96-1.1c-.3-.2-.9-.3-1-.9-.1-.8.4-1.43 1.29-1.43.39 0 1.02.37 1.64.72z"fill=#fff></path><path d="m138.2 599.3-3.9 2.2 3.1 1.8 3.9-2.2z"fill=#fafafa></path><path d="m134.2 601.51v2.66l3.14 1.78v-2.67z"fill=#b4b4b4></path><path d="m135.8 600.62.76.34 1.18-.7-.76-.3z"fill=#555></path><path d="m137 599.5v.44l-.4.2h-.8v.4h.78l1.18-.67v-.44z"fill=#dcdcdc></path><path d="m137 599.5-1.18.67h.79l1.18-.67z"fill=#f3f3f3></path><path d="m370.4 606.5-5.1 2.9v-4l1.58-.9v-.44l1.96-1.11v.44l1.58-.88z"stroke-width=.4></path><path d="m361.8 607.79.39-.22 3.15 1.77v3.11l-4.33 2.4-3.15-1.78v-.44l1.59.6 1.56 1.17 3.94-2.21v-2.67l-1.98-.83z"fill=#dcdcdc></path><path d="m361.8 611.37s1.57.9 2.76 1.6c1.18.6 5.05 3.65 17.92 5.57"fill=none stroke=#009ce0 stroke-width=2.2></path><path d="m369.6 603.37.39-.22 3.15 1.77v3.11l-4.33 2.4-3.15-1.78v-.44l1.59.6 1.56 1.17 3.9-2.2v-2.7l-2-.8z"fill=#dcdcdc></path><path d="m369.6 606.9s1.6.9 2.76 1.6c1.18.6.75.4 3.15 1.7 2.36 1.34 4.79 2.21 7.26 2.7"fill=none stroke=#009ce0 stroke-width=2.2></path><path d="m364.9 609.6-2.2 1-1.7 1.19v2.66l1.9-1.1c-.3-.2-.8-.4-.9-.9-.1-.62.62-1.15 1.15-1.3.37-.11 1.16.32 1.78.67z"fill=#fff></path><path d="m361.8 607.8-3.9 2.2 3.1 1.8 3.9-2.2z"fill=#fafafa></path><path d="m357.82 610.01v2.66l3.14 1.78v-2.67z"fill=#b4b4b4></path><path d="m359.4 609.12.76.34 1.18-.7-.76-.3z"fill=#555></path><path d="m360.6 608.01v.44l-.4.23h-.78v.44h.78l1.18-.67v-.44z"fill=#dcdcdc></path><path d="m360.6 608.0-1.2.7h.8l1.2-.7z"fill=#f3f3f3></path><path d="m372.8 605.14-2.22 1.03-1.72 1.19v2.66l1.96-1.1c-.28-.2-.87-.32-.95-.88-.13-.79.4-1.43 1.29-1.43.39 0 1.02.37 1.64.72z"fill=#fff></path><path d="m369.6 603.37-3.93 2.22 3.14 1.77 3.94-2.22z"fill=#fafafa></path><path d="m365.7 605.59v2.66l3.14 1.78v-2.67z"fill=#b4b4b4></path><path d="m367.3 604.7.76.34 1.18-.71-.76-.3z"fill=#555></path><path d="m368.4 603.59v.44l-.4.23h-.78v.44h.78l1.18-.67v-.44z"fill=#dcdcdc></path><path d="m368.4 603.59-1.18.67h.79l1.18-.67z"fill=#f3f3f3></path></g></g></svg><p>The cables in most home networks contain four twisted pairs of copper wire. That's eight wires in total. Cat 5e is a common example of this. 100BASE-T is an ethernet standard that handles network traffic at a nominal rate of (100Mb/s). Related: <a title="MB does not equal Mb"href=mb-does-not-equal-mb> <svg height=18 width=18><rect fill=none height=16.5 rx=1 stroke-width=.5 width=16.5 x=.75 y=.75></rect><text><tspan font-size=10px stroke=none text-align=center text-anchor=middle x=9 y=10.5> Mb </tspan></text><text><tspan font-size=3px stroke=none text-align=center text-anchor=middle x=9 y=14.5> megabit </tspan></text></svg> MB does not equal Mb </a> .<p>100BASE-T requires only two twisted pairs. So basically half of a Cat 5e cable. Just four out of the eight available wires. So if we're only using half of the wires in the cable, couldn't we make one cable act as two cables? Why yes! Yes we can! And that's exactly what an ethernet splitter does.<p>In the diagram below, the red wires represent one network connection and the blue wires represent another network connection. Grey represents unused wires. So the red and grey lines on the top are one ethernet cable and the blue and grey lines on the bottom are another ethernet cable. Two cables with a total of 16 wires plug into the splitter, one cable with eight wires plugs into the other end of the splitter. Magic. Connect to the second splitter to revert back to two cables before reaching a switch, or a router, or a computer or what have you.</p><svg viewbox="0 0 720 180"><g transform=translate(0,-470)><g fill=none stroke=#595959><path d="m0 482.5c110 0 50 50 150 50"></path><path d="m-.26 487.25c105.25.25 50 50 150 50"></path><path d="m0 477.5c115 0 55 50 150 50"></path><path d="m-0 472.5c120 0 60 50 150 50"></path><path d="m0 637.5c110 0 50-50 150-50"></path><path d="m-.26 632.75c105.25-.25 50-50 150-50"></path><path d="m0 642.5c115 0 55-50 150-50"></path><path d="m-0 647.5c120 0 60-50 150-50"></path><path d="m720 482.5c-110 0-50 50-150 50"></path><path d="m720.26 487.25c-105.25.25-50 50-150 50"></path><path d="m720 477.5c-115 0-55 50-150 50"></path><path d="m720 472.5c-120 0-60 50-150 50"></path><path d="m720 637.49c-110 0-50-50-150-50"></path><path d="m720.26 632.74c-105.25-.25-50-50-150-50"></path><path d="m720 642.49c-115 0-55-50-150-50"></path><path d="m720 647.49c-120 0-60-50-150-50"></path></g><g fill=none stroke=#f10000><path d="m.24 492.75c100 0 44.8 49.8 150 50"></path><path d="m.24 497.75c100 0 39.75 49.75 150 50"></path><path d="m0 502.5c95 0 35 50 150 50"></path><path d="m-.26 507.25c90.25.3 30.3 50.3 150 50"></path><path d="m719.8 492.75c-100 0-44.75 49.8-150 50"></path><path d="m719.76 497.75c-100 0-39.75 49.75-150 50"></path><path d="m720 502.5c-95 0-35 50-150 50"></path><path d="m720.26 507.25c-90.25.25-30.25 50.25-150 50"></path><path d="m184.99 542.5h350"></path><path d="m184.99 547.5h350"></path><path d="m184.99 552.5h350"></path><path d="m184.99 557.5h350"></path></g><g fill=none stroke=#0070f1><path d="m.24 627.25c100 0 44.75-49.75 150-50"></path><path d="m.2 622.25c100 0 39.8-49.8 150-50"></path><path d="m0 617.5c95 0 35-50 150-50"></path><path d="m-.26 612.75c90.25-.25 30.25-50.25 150-50"></path><path d="m719.8 627.24c-100 0-44.8-49.8-150-50"></path><path d="m719.76 622.24c-100 0-39.75-49.75-150-50"></path><path d="m720 617.49c-95 0-35-50-150-50"></path><path d="m720.26 612.74c-90.25-.25-30.25-50.25-150-50"></path><path d="m184.99 562.5h350"></path><path d="m184.99 567.5h350"></path><path d="m184.99 572.5h350"></path><path d="m184.99 577.5h350"></path></g><rect fill=#888 height=75 stroke=#888 stroke-linecap=square width=25 x=155 y=522.5></rect><text fill=#d6d6d6 font-size=6px stroke-width=.5 transform=rotate(-90) x=-560.27 xml:space=preserve y=170.3><tspan fill=#eee font-size=10px stroke-width=.5 text-align=center text-anchor=middle x=-560.3 y=170.3> splitter </tspan></text><rect fill=#919191 height=75 stroke=#919191 stroke-linecap=square transform=scale(-1,1) width=25 x=-565 y=522.5></rect><text font-size=6px letter-spacing=0px stroke-width=.5 transform=rotate(-90) x=-560.27 xml:space=preserve y=555.27><tspan fill=#eee font-size=10px stroke-width=.5 text-align=center text-anchor=middle x=-560.3 y=555.27> splitter </tspan></text></g></svg><p>If you've got two devices in one room and a router or a switch or something in another room, and you're ok with 100Mb/s, and you've got two spare ports on the other end, a splitter would be a pretty nifty way to connect everything up.<p>That said, considering how cheap ethernet switches are these days, that might actually be the best way to go. It really depends. But with an inexpensive ethernet splitter you can just run a single cable directly from your modem/router to the ethernet switch in another room, and from there you get several extra ports you can use to connect things up. You get more ports, maybe more speed (maybe), and these days this is pretty cheap. Maybe the same or cheaper than going the splitter route, depending on which one you get. Check back soon for specific recommendations on both cost effective and performance options.<p>Ethernet cables and splitters are pretty inexpensive, easy to use, don't have any software to setup, and don't require a power outlet. If you go this route you will probably want to pick up a few more short ethernet cables, especially for the modem/router side of the setup. These are fairly cheap.</p><svg viewbox="0 0 720 432"><path d="m343.42 193.2 4.16-2.4"fill=#cfcfcf fill-rule=evenodd stroke=#cfcfcf stroke-width=1.2></path><path d="m401.41 226.65 4.14-2.4"fill=none stroke=#cfcfcf stroke-width=1.2></path><text transform="matrix(.93 -.53728 .93 .53728 0 0)"fill=#7c7c7c font-size=2.9px letter-spacing=0px stroke-width=.2px x=-115.19 xml:space=preserve y=519.2><tspan fill=#7c7c7c font-size=30px stroke-width=.2px text-align=center text-anchor=middle x=-115.2 y=519.2> room B </tspan></text><g stroke=#cfcfcf stroke-width=1.2><path d="m1.7 256.6 414.23-239.15 302.35 174.58-414.2 239.15z"fill=none></path><path d="m229.52 125.01 115.98 67"fill=#cfcfcf fill-rule=evenodd></path><path d="m403.49 225.46 128.4 74.13"fill=#cfcfcf fill-rule=evenodd></path></g><text transform="matrix(.93 -.53728 .93 .53728 0 0)"fill=#7c7c7c font-size=2.8px letter-spacing=0px stroke-width=.2px x=106.76 xml:space=preserve y=519.72><tspan fill=#7c7c7c font-size=30px stroke-width=.2px 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3.15-1.77l56.71 31.94c2.7 1.55 3.1 2.21 3.1 5.32z"fill=#141414 stroke=#141414 stroke-width=.8px></path><path d="m509.3 146.8 19.3-10.9v-98.45l-19.3 10.87z"fill=#1e1e1e></path><path d="m509.32 48.36-59.87-33.71 19.29-10.87 59.88 33.71z"fill=#2e2e2e></path><path d="m447.64 13.48c-.79 0-.94.78-.94 2.72v94.94c0 3.1.39 3.8 3.14 5.3l56.68 32c2.8 1.5 3.2 1.3 3.2-1.8v-94.95c0-3.11-.4-3.77-3.2-5.33l-56.68-31.94c-1.03-.58-1.73-.92-2.2-.94z"fill=#171717></path><g fill=#1cf100><path d="m503.82 66.1 5.5 3.11v2.66l-5.5-3.11z"></path><path d="m503.8 74 5.5 3.11v2.66l-5.5-3.11z"></path><path d="m503.82 74.1 5.5 3.11v2.66l-5.5-3.11z"></path></g><g stroke-linejoin=bevel><text transform="matrix(.93388 -.53917 0 1.0708 0 0)"fill=#000 font-size=46px stroke-width=5.4 text-align=center text-anchor=middle x=347.48 xml:space=preserve y=331.69><tspan font-size=12px stroke-width=5.4 text-align=start text-anchor=start x=376 y=331.7> 100mb/s x2 </tspan></text><path d="m364.2 148.1 2.5 38.5"stroke=#fff 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d="m495.17 69.854 1.2.681v2.66l-1.11-.629z"></path><path d="m497.11 71.224.1 1.735 1.5.854v-1.701zm.23.369 1.11.636v1.217l-1.08-.612z"stroke-width=.6></path></g><g stroke-width=.3><g fill=#1e1e1e fill-rule=evenodd transform=translate(-132.95,71.125)><path d="m177.86 147.9 14.4-8.33v17.86l-14.44 8.33z"></path><path d="m177.86 165.47c0 3 0 6.25 2.6 7.74 2.56 1.48-2.6 7.4-2.6 7.44l15.48 8.93 29.89-17.27-15.45-8.93s-10.36 2.96-12.89 1.49c-2.59-1.49-2.59-4.76-2.59-7.74z"></path></g><path d="m120.4 89.4c-.3 0-.63.104-.95.288l-112.13 64.741c-1.28.74-2.6 3-2.6 4.46v86.33c0 .61.23 1.1.56 1.4.15.12.3.22.48.28l6.22 3.63 115.88-157.04-6.61-3.855c-.26-.167-1.22-.214-.89-.241z"></path><path d="m11.16 162.61c0-1.48 1.28-3.72 2.59-4.46l112.13-64.74c1.28-.744 2.56 0 2.56 1.489v86.321c0 1.49-1.28 3.72-2.56 4.46l-112.13 64.75c-1.31.74-2.6 0-2.59-1.49z"fill=#2c2c2c></path></g><path d="m15.03 161.87v83.35l109.54-63.26v-83.34z"stroke=#6e6e6e stroke-width=.2></path></svg><p>The splitter comes with several drawbacks. First there's the 200Mb/s limit (100Mb/s per 100BASE-T connection). Also, you'll need to have <em> two </em> ethernet ports available. We're not actually creating any more ports. All split connections (with an ethernet splitter) must be un-split on the other end. We're really only <em> combining </em> two connections into one cable at one end, then <em> un-combining </em> those two connections back into two physical cables at the other end. Maybe a better name would be 100BASE-T Merge/Unmerge Device. I think that would be much more descriptive of what these things actually do.<h2>Ethernet Hub</h2><svg viewbox="0 0 720 364"><path d="m231.4 165.92v3l3.45 2v-3z"fill=url(#n)></path><path d="m235.8 163.42-4.33 2.5 3.45 2 4.35-2.5z"fill=url(#h)></path><path d="m234.9 167.92 4.33-2.5v3l-4.33 2.5z"fill=#fff></path><path d="m235.8 163.42.43-.25 3.46 2v3.5l-4.76 2.75-3.46-2v-.5l3.46 2 4.33-2.5v-3z"fill=#ddd></path><path d="m234 164.87c-.74.27-1.65 1.16-1.65 2.05l3.25 1.88 1.3-2.25z"color=#000 fill=url(#l)></path><path d="m238.8 165.67-3.91 2.25v2.7l1.16-.65c-.15-.33-.28-.7-.29-1.05 0-.89.92-1.78 1.66-2.05.3-.1.92-.3 1.45-.46z"fill=#fff opacity=.85></path><path d="m235.3 163.67-3.89 2.25 3.45 2 3.91-2.25z"fill=url(#h) opacity=.8></path><path d="m231.5 165.92v2.5l3.45 2v-2.5z"fill=url(#k) opacity=.7></path><path d="m233.17 165.02.87.5 1.3-.75-.87-.5z"filter=url(#m) opacity=.2 stroke-width=.5></path><path d="m234.5 163.67v.5l-.44.25h-.86v.5h.86l1.29-.75v-.5z"fill=#ddd></path><path d="m234.5 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17.79 232.5 11.64 232.5 11.64"fill=none stroke=#009ce0 stroke-width=14></path><g fill=#fff><path d="m228.4 235.5-21.32 12.27v14.75l9.87-5.97c-8.32-7.69 2.1-16.9 10.08-10.85z"></path><path d="m211.8 223.2-23.61 13.64 18.84 10.9 23.64-13.63z"></path></g><path d="m197.6 231.9 4.72 2.72 7.09-4.08-4.72-2.73z"fill=#9b9b9b></path><path d="m204.7 224.6-7.09 4.1h4.72l7.09-4.1z"fill=#f3f3f3></path><g fill=#ddd transform=translate(0,-286)><path d="m204.8 510.6v2.72l-2.4 1.37h-4.69v2.72h4.69l7.06-4.1v-2.72z"></path><path d="m188.2 522.8v16.35l18.87 10.91v-16.36z"></path><path d="m235.1 495.6v16.35l18.84 10.91v-16.36z"></path></g><text transform="matrix(.99999 .57733 -.86604 .50001 0 0)"fill=#cccccc font-size=23.2px stroke-width=2.9 text-anchor=middle x=188.34 xml:space=preserve y=-70.143><tspan font-size=24px stroke-width=2.9 text-align=center x=188.39 y=-70.143> ethernet </tspan></text><text transform="matrix(.99999 .57733 -.86604 .50001 0 0)"fill=#cccccc font-size=23.2px stroke-width=2.9 text-anchor=middle x=190.9 xml:space=preserve y=-39.05><tspan font-size=24px stroke-width=2.9 text-align=center x=191 y=-39.1> hub </tspan></text></svg><p>These really aren't all that common anymore. Hubs make more ethernet ports by basically repeating network traffic. Actually, a hub kind of works like a splitter sounds like it should work. You connect a router to a hub in another room with a single cable. You then connect multiple devices to the hub.<p>Hubs repeat all of the network traffic that is sent to them. <em> All of it </em> . That's <em> good </em> because it extends the network, creating more connection points. It's <em> bad </em> because repeating everything uses bandwidth, slowing down the network. If you don't have too many devices running at the <em> same time </em> , this probably won't be a problem. Generally speaking, however, there are better ways to do this.<h2>Network Switch</h2><svg viewbox="0 0 720 364"><g transform=translate(0,-286)><path d="m231.4 451.92v3l3.45 2v-3z"fill=url(#g)></path><path d="m235.8 449.42-4.33 2.5 3.45 2 4.35-2.5z"fill=url(#b)></path><path d="m234.9 453.92 4.33-2.5v3l-4.33 2.5z"fill=#fff></path><path d="m235.8 449.42.43-.25 3.46 2v3.5l-4.76 2.75-3.46-2v-.5l3.46 2 4.33-2.5v-3z"fill=#ddd></path><path d="m234 450.87c-.74.27-1.65 1.16-1.65 2.05l3.25 1.88 1.3-2.25z"color=#000 fill=url(#f)></path><path d="m238.8 451.67-3.91 2.25v2.7l1.16-.65c-.15-.33-.28-.7-.29-1.05 0-.89.92-1.78 1.66-2.05.3-.1.92-.3 1.45-.46z"fill=#fff opacity=.85></path><path d="m235.3 449.67-3.89 2.25 3.45 2 3.91-2.25z"fill=url(#b) opacity=.8></path><path d="m231.5 451.92v2.5l3.45 2v-2.5z"fill=url(#e) opacity=.7></path><path d="m701.48-113.44 1.73 1 2.6-1.5-1.73-1z"transform="matrix(.5 0 0 .5 -117.57 507.74)"filter=url(#i) opacity=.2></path><path d="m234.5 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x=249.59 xml:space=preserve y=620.57><tspan font-size=13.632px stroke-width=2.7 text-align=center text-anchor=middle x=249.6 y=620.6> 2 </tspan></text><text transform=skewY(-30) x=296.75 xml:space=preserve y=620.57><tspan font-size=13.632px stroke-width=2.7 text-align=center text-anchor=middle x=296.8 y=620.6> 3 </tspan></text><text transform=skewY(-30) x=343.92 xml:space=preserve y=620.57><tspan font-size=13.632px stroke-width=2.7 text-align=center text-anchor=middle x=343.9 y=620.6> 4 </tspan></text></g></g><path d="m216.3 528.3-30.5 17.72v-24.53l9.27-5.46v-2.72l12-6.82v2.73l9.27-5.45z"></path><path d="m263.8 501.04-30.8 17.72v-24.54l9.54-5.45v-2.73l11.72-6.81v2.72l9.54-5.45z"></path><path d="m310.9 473.78-30.81 17.72v-24.54l9.54-5.45v-2.73l11.73-6.81v2.72l9.54-5.45z"></path><path d="m358 446.51-30.8 17.72v-24.53l9.54-5.46v-2.72l11.72-6.82v2.73l9.54-5.45z"></path><text transform="matrix(.99999 .57733 -.86604 .50001 0 0)"fill=#cccccc font-size=23.2px stroke-width=2.9 text-anchor=middle x=435.95 xml:space=preserve y=211.3><tspan text-align=center x=436 y=211.3> network </tspan> <tspan text-align=center x=435.95 y=236.8> switch </tspan></text><path d="m308.7 480.33 47.22 27.3v16.36l-47.22-27.27c-2.37-4.1-1.09-14.47 0-16.35z"fill=#ddd></path><path d="m355.9 507.59 23.61-13.63v16.36l-23.61 13.63z"fill=#fff></path><path d="m332.3 463.97v2.73l47.22 27.3v16.36l-23.61 13.63-18.9-10.91v-2.72l-28.32-16.36v-13.63l23.61-13.63v-2.73l-25.98 15v16.36l28.35 16.36-.27 2.6 21.5 12.4 26-15v-19.09z"fill=#ddd></path><path d="m360.6 504.86s9.46 5.46 16.55 9.55c7.06 4 81.6 38.5 168.6 49.9 129.9 17.09 178.6 4.54 178.6 4.54"fill=none stroke=#009ce0 stroke-width=14></path><path d="m332.3 466.7 47.22 27.3-23.61 13.63-47.22-27.3z"fill=#f0f0f0></path><path d="m377.2 495.3-21.29 12.27v14.75l6.29-3.57c-.81-1.77-1.52-3.82-1.52-5.73 0-4.85 4.99-9.7 9.02-11.15 1.61-.57 4.99-1.66 7.94-2.56z"fill=#fff></path><path d="m313.4 474.9 7.09 4.1 9.4-5.45v-2.73l-7.07-4.08-9.46 5.45z"fill=#ddd></path><path d="m320.5 479 11.81-6.81 30.7 15-16.53 9.54z"fill=#bebebe></path><path d="m313.4 472.2 7.09 4.1 28.3 13.6 9.46-5.45v-2.73l-35.42-15z"fill=#ececec></path><path d="m348.8 489.9v-2.73l-35.42-15 7.1 4.1z"fill=#ddd></path><path d="m235.1 495.6v16.35l18.84 10.91v-16.36z"fill=url(#d)></path><path d="m254 506.5 23.61-13.63v16.36l-23.61 13.63z"fill=#fff></path><path d="m258.7 481.9 2.35-1.36 18.89 10.91v19.08l-25.98 15-18.87-10.91v-2.73l18.87 10.91 23.61-13.63v-16.36z"fill=#ddd></path><path d="m258.7 503.8s9.43 5.46 16.52 9.55 120.45 70.13 265.46 87.93c145.01 17.79 183.51 6.64 183.51 6.64"fill=none stroke=#009ce0 stroke-width=14></path><path d="m275.3 494.2-21.3 12.27v14.75l9.87-5.97c-8.32-7.69 2.1-16.9 10.08-10.85z"fill=#fff></path><path d="m258.7 481.9-23.61 13.64 18.84 10.9 23.64-13.63z"fill=#fff></path><path d="m244.5 490.7 4.72 2.72 7.09-4.08-4.72-2.73z"fill=#9b9b9b></path><path d="m251.7 483.3v2.72l-2.4 1.37h-4.69v2.72h4.69l7.06-4.1v-2.72z"fill=#ddd></path><path d="m251.6 483.3-7.09 4.1h4.72l7.09-4.1z"fill=#f3f3f3></path><path d="m188.2 522.8v16.35l18.84 10.91v-16.36z"fill=url(#c)></path><path d="m207 533.7 23.61-13.63v16.36l-23.61 13.63z"fill=#fff></path><path d="m211.8 509.2 2.35-1.36 18.89 10.91v19.08l-25.98 15-18.87-10.91v-2.73l18.87 10.91 23.61-13.63v-16.36z"fill=#ddd></path><path d="m211.8 531s9.43 5.46 16.52 9.55 120.45 70.13 265.46 87.93c145.01 17.79 232.5 11.64 232.5 11.64"fill=none stroke=#009ce0 stroke-width=14></path><path d="m228.4 521.5-21.32 12.27v14.75l9.87-5.97c-8.32-7.69 2.1-16.9 10.08-10.85z"fill=#fff></path><path d="m211.8 509.2-23.61 13.64 18.84 10.9 23.64-13.63z"fill=#fff></path><path d="m197.6 517.9 4.72 2.72 7.09-4.08-4.72-2.73z"fill=#9b9b9b></path><path d="m204.7 510.6-7.09 4.09h4.72l7.09-4.09z"fill=#f3f3f3></path><g fill=#ddd><path d="m204.8 510.6v2.72l-2.4 1.37h-4.69v2.72h4.69l7.06-4.1v-2.7z"></path><path d="m188.2 522.8v16.35l18.87 10.91v-16.36z"></path><path d="m235.1 495.6v16.35l18.84 10.91v-16.36z"></path></g></g></svg><p>Meet the ethernet switch. How does it work? Magic. Or, you know, more plausible: Packet switching. Packet switching forwards traffic so which ever computer, tablet, or x game box switch thing whatever, gets just that traffic, and isn't bogged down by other traffic. Magic. Connections are heard by their intended recipients instead of being rebroadcast all over the place, slowing down to local network. Maybe the difference between a network switch and a hub is kind of like using walkie talkies to communicate over a distance Vs just yelling very loudly. Or megaphones? Yes. 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