Could a three-port Ethernet switch provide the benefits you need?
Could a three-port Ethernet switch provide the benefits you need?
You're looking for a budget-friendly 3-port Ethernet switch that works without extra power and supports both devices at the same time.
Everyone requires external power sources. If PoE-enabled devices are available, they could assist, though this merely shifts the issue. Someone might point out inaccuracies—please verify if that's correct. Simply browse Amazon or similar sites and purchase the most affordable gigabit switch. They’re actually quite affordable. I haven’t seen a 3-port setup, but 4 or 5 ports are common.
I assume there’s already one cable connected to your space? There are many choices for Ethernet switches. I don’t think I’ve seen a model with just three ports, though a five-port option is fine. Everything works the same way. Probably you won’t need to skip external power unless you install something like a PoE injector from the modem/router area, which would make the single cable running in your room support PoE. That way, the switch you buy won’t require separate power. Just confirm it’s PoE compatible.
I have two dead outlets in my room and all my electronics are connected to one surge protector on the wall. It hasn’t caused any issues before, but I want to avoid that again. There’s no existing cable for my room—only Wi-Fi is used, which is why I’m upgrading my network. The video I’m watching suggests using a PoE switch, but it could also work with a separate device.
Most inexpensive switches feature five or eight ports and rely on a compact AC power source. Gigabit Ethernet has been available for many years, making small flat networks easy to manage. Within this price range and port count, no single switch stands out as superior. For PoE-powered devices, connect the switch to a PoE port or add a power injector along the cable. A 5-port model from Netgear or TP-Link works well. A throwdown switch consumes no more than 12 watts and is perfectly fine. If you're overly concerned, simply run two cables.
Have you thought about using a mesh network? It isn't the most affordable choice, but it works well when your space is quite distant. If you're focused solely on yourself, you'd only need a setup with one hub and one node. I think older Eero models (and many other brands offer plenty of alternatives) are readily available on secondary market sites. The node should be placed in a room roughly halfway between your location and the source. Ideally, run an Ethernet cable to the node and position it where possible close to your room. Another approach would be to ensure your primary wireless router is strong. Avoid using the bundled modem/router from your internet service provider; separate devices are much better. Also turn off the wireless capabilities of the modem/router so it doesn't clash with your dedicated wireless unit.
I already have a good router, and I don’t think an upgrade is necessary. Still, I enjoy experimenting with gadgets and aiming to grow as an IT professional, so gaining practical experience in real situations is valuable. I checked online, and if my space were larger, it would help—but the nearest spot between me and the router is directly opposite, making it hard to set up anything there. I’m also running out of socket connections on my surge protector, but I can fix that. As I mentioned earlier, I’m eager to learn networking concepts, so having more choices—even complicated ones—is beneficial. Would it work if I installed an 8-port PoE switch near the router and then connected a cable to my room for a smaller switch?
You'd need a switch that supports PoE on the router side and another one for your space. It costs a lot to buy both, especially to prevent extra cabling or using a costly power adapter. Using a single cable run back to the router would likely save money.
If you can run one cable to your room, I think you should also be able to run two. There are excellent flat-cable choices if the total diameter of two becomes an issue. You just need to buy an Ethernet switch in your router room. If you make a mistake and get cables that aren't long enough, you can use RJ45 couplers to bridge the gap.
Your router functioning in AP mode serves primarily as an access point, managing wireless connections without switching roles. It doesn’t operate as a switch, which handles data routing between devices.