Located inside walls, Ethernet (Cat6) cables require two connectors in a single room...
Located inside walls, Ethernet (Cat6) cables require two connectors in a single room...
Helping a family member get connected... poor signal in the game room (finished basement). They installed Cat 6 cables one per room, using a phone jack for some reason. Only Wi-Fi is used, so all ports on the router are available. They want to add a smart TV and a gaming PC/console (they usually have one PS5 but sometimes use a laptop).
Options:
1. Split one Ethernet cable into two jacks—one for the router and two for keystone devices.
2. Buy a switch instead of using multiple Ethernet cables.
3. Use a splitter in the basement to send one wire to two devices.
4. Purchase a Wi-Fi repeater (or two) to boost signal strength across the house.
5. Install an Ethernet-over-power-wire cable for easier setup.
I’m leaning toward option 1, but I’m concerned about speed. Their current speeds are only 60MB down and 20MB up. The Cat 6 cable is solid-core and should help, but if they need smooth gaming, a repeater or switch might be better. They’re not very tech-savvy, so simple fixes like resetting the router or re-entering the password should work.
The simplest choice is to purchase an affordable D-Link 5-port switch and set it up in the same area. I’ve faced a comparable issue and it’s remained functional for many years.
Certainly not the first choice. A straightforward unmanaged 5-port switch was recommended earlier. Devices from D-Link, TP-Link and Netgear fit this type and I haven’t faced any issues with metal-enclosed models.
Located a $5 Netgear switch at Goodwill—everything functions perfectly. Thanks for all the help!