Networks Cat5 splitter, without losing bandwidth?

Is there a way that I can use a splitter of sorts on a Cat5 cable so that I can plug it in to two computers from one plug in the wall, or will I need to use my 16-port switch to do that?

 

You'll need a switch of some sort... 16 port is obviously overkill for two comps... 4port is still plenty. But no, you can't split a Cat5 conneciton.

 

Okkies. And I know 16-port is overkill, but it's what I have right now that I use for LAN parties.

 

Thats my LAN party beastie... think its overkill ?

 

Standard 10/100BaseT uses only two pairs of the 4 in the cable, so it's possible to make an adapter that can allow two ethernet connections to go over one cable.
As for the switch, it may be overkill, but go ahead and use it!
I have a 24 port Cisco switch, and I can tell you that it's designed for experts. A beginner will want to use something simpler until he/she gets all the basics.
P.S. I got my Cisco switch (along with various other computer equipment) after Caitlin Williams upgraded an IT site and wound up with a lot of old equipment. I asked if I could have some of that stuff and she was more than happy to give away some of that stuff!
So if you need some networking equipment, just ask some girls!

 

no, no such thing as overkill

 

I found this at radio shack a few years ago (278-785). I am not shure about the preformence of it.

 

I personally use a cheap 8port switch I got from newegg for ~$25. Works fine... although my rebate never came for it so it wasn't free like it should have been.

star882... yes you could do that technically but you wouldn't be able to share a connection... you would just be able to kinda merge two cables into one for good cable management But you could also get interference.

I'll keep that tip for networking stuff in mind Now I just need to find someone female in IT... that's my new mission in life. Actually our school had one but I think she quit or something

 

EBay is the place to go

I bought 2 nice little 8 port switches for $16 Canadian each

 

I think what Morphious is wanting to do is split a regular cable and connect two pc with out purchasing any new equipment..IMHO this wont work. How would the router handle traffic from two sources coming into one port??

 

yes its possible

cat 5 consists of 4 pairs. i believe TCP/IP only utilizes 4 of the 8 wires here. cyberguys has a funky little splitter (you need to to set it up properly) that is designed to let you ad aannother PC to a network without running annother wire. it works buy taking 2 lines from your main hub/switch, running them backwards through the splitter and converting them into 1 line (using all 8 wires here) and on the other end of the line you jack in annother "splitter" and cable yourself up