Splitter for Ethernet cables
Splitter for Ethernet cables
I’m setting up my new college room with an Ethernet port near my desk. I have my primary machine, a plex server, and a Raspberry Pi ready for a wired link. While I could power the Pi directly from the router, the main rig and plex want to stay in my bedroom away from my roommates. The speeds I’m thinking of are 100mbps, 250, 400 or gigabit—probably because those are the options available locally from my ISP. I’m not sure which one is correct yet. Could there be a splitter I can connect to the main jack so I can run my Pi and a few more devices off it?
I would choose a router instead of a switch. If they understand their purpose, they'll restrict each port to just one client, making a switch ineffective in that scenario.
With a router, you're likely applying double NAT which might impact certain apps or games. A switch offers the simplest and most straightforward configuration. For true routing, you can configure a router without NAT, but this needs both devices to support those features.
I'm not sure about the setup. I'm uncertain if I need to interact with the building staff or handle the ISP on my own. I remember the move-in date was the 18th, and one of the people had updated their lease and moved in. They didn't seem very familiar with technology when I asked them questions.
They already lack port forwarding, and using alternatives means exposing every client to an untrusted network—so you really must have confidence in your clients' firewalls. A router that supports access point mode can still function effectively. You just need to disable the DHCP server; it will behave like one on LAN ports. I've used several routers from ISPs over the years with this setup. The main risk is if the device enforces client isolation, but overall, I wouldn't want to leave my clients on an unknown network without proper protection.