Cat6 network splitter

[spuddro]

We have a cat6 network in our office and I recently got a second computer. Rather than have my office wired with another cat6 line, I'm looking to split my current network jack and have both computers connected to it at the same time. My first problem is that I can't find anyone online who sells cat6 network splitters. The ones I found all say cat5/5e. Any thoughts? My next question is: will I need to split my 1 cat6 line into 2 connections going into my switch on the other end? And lastly, if I have both computers running off of the same cat6 data line, will my connections/download times on each computer be reduced? If so, how significantly do you think? Any info you can provide would be awesome!

Thanks much!

[bonniesimon]

I have the same issue, but want to add not a second computer but an airport. Did you ever get an answer?

[nemowolf]

Well for starters, Cat5/5e is the current standard. Cat 6 allows for a faster transfer rate but that is going to depend on what is sending in both directions. For instance,

If you have a switch that is rated for 10 and your computer runs at 10/100, your computer will slow down to 10 to match speeds with the switch.

If your switch is rated at 10/100 and your computer runs at 10, your switch will slow down to match your computer.

Now with this in mind, what type of cabling you use doesnt matter unless it is rated for slower speeds then your switch or computer can handle; IE: If your using older, cat 3, 4 pair, barely twisted and unshielded (standard phone cable now), and you have a gigabit switch and a gigabit nic, your going to go as fast as that cable can transfer and as you get lost packets and retransmissions, your switch and computer will slow down to reduce loss.

So the real questions isnt how do you split cat 6 cable but WHAT type of network are you trying to split.

[Rootstonian]

I have no idea what we're wired with, but I know it'a a gigabit network. I just went out and bought a gigabit switch for my office. Works fine (less hassle than dealing with a director that would have asked a thousand questions and took 6 months to order a $30 item)

[nemowolf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rootstonian

I have no idea what we're wired with, but I know it'a a gigabit network. I just went out and bought a gigabit switch for my office. Works fine (less hassle than dealing with a director that would have asked a thousand questions and took 6 months to order a $30 item)

Yea that will do it ... BUT! You will now find yourself on the bad end of your IT departments stick for not going through them to verify and approve of additional network equipment.

[Rootstonian]

LOL....I THINK NOT

I'm a Systems Developer/Programmer in IT....they always have another IP address for us!!!

[nemowolf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rootstonian

LOL....I THINK NOT

I'm a Systems Developer/Programmer in IT....they always have another IP address for us!!!

Its not just IP addresses but there is now a rogue Switch on the network. There are ways to map where you have switches. Depending on the network build out of your building, you could now be doubling the workload on a single port of a switch. They have ways to map this as well ... you could be starting a search for industrial espionage ... DUHN DUN DUHHHN!

[Taxmancometh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spuddro

We have a cat6 network in our office and I recently got a second computer. Rather than have my office wired with another cat6 line, I'm looking to split my current network jack and have both computers connected to it at the same time.

I don't believe you can physically "split" CAT5e networking cable with a splitter like you can with cable TV. This is where routers come in at.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spuddro

My first problem is that I can't find anyone online who sells cat6 network splitters.

[EXreaction]

Actually, you should be able to split it just fine. That is basically what an ethernet hub does.

[Taxmancometh]

So the OP needs a hub then!

Also, from what I read, CAT 6 is a better quality to make it "gigabyte" capable. So I wonder what a splinter would do to the integrity of the signal?