Yes, you can set up Ethernet passthrough on a motherboard with two Ethernet ports.
Yes, you can set up Ethernet passthrough on a motherboard with two Ethernet ports.
For instance with your MSI B550 Tomahawk, you have two Ethernet ports. You're thinking about placing a switch on your desk so it can connect via wired network, but your desk is too far from the router and you can't run another cable. Can you use your second Ethernet port to link it to the switch? It might work when the system is powered on, but not necessarily when it's off.
Sure, your description sounds clear. For the Nintendo Switch, you typically need a hub or splitter to connect it to a TV or monitor. If you're using a streaming service, ensure your setup supports the required input format.
You don't have to establish a second network link. Just use an Ethernet switch so your PC and Nintendo Switch can connect together simultaneously. It won’t introduce significant delay (unlike going through your PC), and you won’t need to keep your PC active while using the Switch. If you prefer, you could enable Internet Connection Sharing on your PC to combine the two network interfaces, but that’s similar to trying to fit through a gap instead of using the direct door. Any budget 5-port Gigabit switch will suffice.
No, it's not necessary. Connecting both Ethernet ports in Windows turns them into a software switch that functions well as long as the computer stays powered on during use. A hardware switch might be better for convenience and efficiency, but the performance gap is usually negligible. It’s a good idea to test it first before investing time or money, especially since I haven’t done this on Windows 11 yet.