Managed switches generate new IP addresses or distribute an existing one among connected devices.
Managed switches generate new IP addresses or distribute an existing one among connected devices.
Hello! This is my first time posting. I recently assembled a computer and the motherboard lacks Wi-Fi. I’ve been using an affordable USB Wi-Fi adapter, but it only provides about 100 Mbps. My old laptop could handle up to 800 Mbps over Wi-Fi, so I’m considering connecting directly (my ISP plan is 1 gigabyte theoretically). I have an Ethernet cable running from the ISP router/modem through a cheap unmanaged switch to my IP TV and then outside past the wall into my room. Previously, plugging in the TV through the switch caused some issues. My question is: do unmanaged switches generate new IP addresses? Can I get a managed switch instead? Would that create two IPs—one for the TV and one for my PC? If I’m completely mistaken, is there another way to route from the router to the TV and then to my room?
Here’s my current arrangement:
Unmanaged switches operate solely on Layer 2, without handling IP addresses. The router assigns IPs using the DHCP server included. This behavior depends on how the managed switch is configured, but it should function similarly to an unmanaged one. You need a simple unmanaged switch for connecting devices via a single port. Your existing TV may have problems, though it's hard to confirm based on the information provided.
This guide explains how to set up VLANs using switches. The article references private VLAN documentation on Wikipedia. Your current connection might only support 100 Mbps, which could limit performance if you need higher speeds.
Multiple IP addresses can be used on a single cable. The switch doesn’t recognize IP addresses at all; it operates based on MAC addresses. You can link a switch to a router, then connect as many (though there are limits) devices as you wish, and they will communicate with each other.
The terms are often used interchangeably, but technically a gigabit switch supports data rates of up to 1 gigabit per second, while gigabyte refers to storage capacity. For Ethernet, Cat5e and Cat6 both support Gigabit speeds, so you can use either for high-speed connectivity.
It's just an older model, but there are now affordable gigabit options available. Ethernet remains quicker and more dependable than Wi-Fi; you've simply upgraded from a dated router.
It seems you're mixing concepts from different sources. The Gigabyte brand is known for gigabit speeds, not bits per second. One byte equals eight bits. The material you referenced discusses bits and bytes in a general context.