Quick Question... CAT5 splitter or switch needed?

[modman]

I have AT&T Uverse, which supplies service into my house via coax. The cable box has a CAT5 out. I now need to take that net signal to two different devices in my rack. Can I use a simple CAT5 splitter on the cable coming out of the box for this...or do I need to use a switch?

 

[GlocksRock]

I think a splitter would work fine, but switches can be had for cheap, and will let you add more ports in the future if needed.

 

[jonnythan]

What do you mean by cable box? The set-top box that actually connects to your TV?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

No, you definitely need a switch, luckily they are not expensive and you could probably get one from ebay for $10 or so

 

[sholling]

No, you definitely need a switch, luckily they are not expensive and you could probably get one from ebay for $10 or so

+1 this is the right way to do it.

 

[Warpdrv]

Wouldn't that be a router that he needs....?

Do you have internet setup on your account ? If you get a wireless router - you can use all things WiFi with a unit like that..

 

[jinjuku]

Wouldn't that be a router that he needs....?

Depends on what the OP is doing.

Switches simply are good for local traffic. Router obviously if you want to make it onto another network (like the Internet).

 

[jonnythan]

We need to know what kind of equipment the OP already has before recommending him more.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

We need to know what kind of equipment the OP already has before recommending him more.

True ...

If OP wants to add 2nd UVerse box into his setup his best bet is to ask at&t to install it
If he needs just another network port for htpc/gaming console - he might need a router if he doesn't have one yet

One thing for sure - I can't see use for cat5 splitter other than extending cable

 

[BMXTRIX]

I don't even know what a cat-5 splitter is!

If you have a network cat-5 cable with a connection on it that you could just plug into your PC and it'll give you Internet access, and you want to take the one connection to two different devices, then you 95% likely just need a network switch.

U-Verse, is very likely identical to Fios and the others... They provide a main cable modem which incorporates wi-fi and a router in one unit. So, any connections beyond that point can happen with switches.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I don't even know what a cat-5 splitter is!

Here are in reviews it's use explained quite well
http://www.amazon.com/Network-Line-Pair-Splitter-Single-Unit/product-reviews/B000BSLXDE/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_summary?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

 

[sholling]

Wouldn't that be a router that he needs....?

Do you have internet setup on your account ? If you get a wireless router - you can use all things WiFi with a unit like that..

You're right and I missed that, he should be using a router. First of all for security and virus protection and second to do the cable sign-in, and third to act as a switch.

 

[modman]

Clarification

Thanks for the feedback...maybe I better explain (better) what I'm trying to do.

My new Yamaha A1000 recevier is great...but it does not have access to Netflix (at least, as far as I can tell...if you know different, I sure would like to know how!). I have access to Netflix and other net applications via my LG Blu-Ray player.

I have AT&T U-verse, which feeds to my rack area via a coax cable. This cable goes into the Cisco set-top box, which has a "normal" net connection (CAT5) output in the back. Prior to my acquisition of the A1000, I hooked a cable from the set-top box to the LG player and had great results.

Now, I need for both the A1000 and the LG to have net access. So the question is....simply split the signal coming out of the CAT5 port on the set-top box...or use a switch to do it?

Thanks

 

[jonnythan]

What you need is a router.

So here's some basics.

1) A "splitter" won't do anything for you. There's no way to "split" an ethernet cable.

2) A switch could possibly work for you, but probably not. To use a switch, each device you plug in would need a separate IP address from your ISP, but most only allow you to have one.

3) Therefore, you need a router. A router is a box that has one port called "WAN" or "Internet." This port plugs into the single port on your modem (not "set top box" - an STB is a cable box). The router then has several additional LAN ports, which can be used to attach anything you want. The function of the router is to create a single "internal" network and use its electronics and routing to allow them all to communicate through a single "external" network connection.

Routers are thankfully pretty cheap and sold everywhere.

(Note: You mention the "set top box" is a Cisco, and I've never seen a Cisco modem, so I'm still not 100% sure what your equipment is. Could you find a model number of this Cisco box and tell us what it is?)

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I'm not familiar with specifics of Uverse install... To help us help you better
please describe EVERY single piece of equipment with model numbers which AT&T installed in your house.

How is your computer connected to the internet?

 

[BMXTRIX]

Cox, Comcast, and Verizon all use routers with built-in wi-fi in their home installations. I can't imagine U-Verse is any different.

It is extremely unlikely that they provided a basic 'cable modem' instead of an integrated all-in-one router.

I know the recent Comcast install with phone, cable, and network allowed for caller ID to appear on the screen of the televisions with set-top-boxes.

If you have several network ports in your home that you can just plug into and you have wi-fi in your home and it just gets assigned IP information (or if you don't know what it does), then you very likely have a router already and all you need is a switch.

According to the AT&T website, it is a router.

http://www.att.com/u-verse/explore/residential-gateway.jsp

So, you need a switch.

Something like this will work just fine:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833156066

 

[jonnythan]

Cox, Comcast, and Verizon all use routers with built-in wi-fi in their home installations. I can't imagine U-Verse is any different.

It depends. My dad has Cox and he has a modem with a standalone router. My brother has FIOS with just a modem. I have TW with just a modem.

The thing that makes me think it's a modem instead of a router is the fact that he talked about a single ethernet port on the back of it.

Anyway, we won't really know until we get a model number or something.

 

[highfigh]

What you need is a router.

So here's some basics.

1) A "splitter" won't do anything for you. There's no way to "split" an ethernet cable.

2) A switch could possibly work for you, but probably not. To use a switch, each device you plug in would need a separate IP address from your ISP, but most only allow you to have one.

3) Therefore, you need a router. A router is a box that has one port called "WAN" or "Internet." This port plugs into the single port on your modem (not "set top box" - an STB is a cable box). The router then has several additional LAN ports, which can be used to attach anything you want. The function of the router is to create a single "internal" network and use its electronics and routing to allow them all to communicate through a single "external" network connection.

Routers are thankfully pretty cheap and sold everywhere.

(Note: You mention the "set top box" is a Cisco, and I've never seen a Cisco modem, so I'm still not 100% sure what your equipment is. Could you find a model number of this Cisco box and tell us what it is?)

A work group switch works fine for situations like this and each device gets its own address.

 

[Warpdrv]

So, you need a switch.

Something like this will work just fine:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833156066

That has got to be one of the ugliest things Ive seen in a long time....

WOW.....

 

[BMXTRIX]

Just put a paper bag over it.

A philosophy I've worked with many times.