Where to get a cat-5 splitter with a selector switch?

Fartacus_the_Mighty

I could use a little help here. I've tried looking these up on Newegg, but it's kind of hard to search for when all applicable descriptors are already used for other devices.

What I'm looking for is some sort of module wherein I can plug an internet-carrying cat-5 cable, have two jacks (or more) into which I can plug internet-using devices, and a physical switch that lets me instantly choose which device has the dedicated connection. Do these exist anywhere, or am I going to have to dick around with an actual router?

Foomy

you could just buy a switch, unless you really don't want all of the devices to be able to connect at the same time.

newegg just happens to have one on a shellshocker sale right now: http://www.newegg.com/Special/ShellShocker.aspx?cm_sp=ShellShocker-_-33-285-010-_-05252012_5

but if you miss that sale any 10/100 switch for around $10-20 works just fine for connecting home network stuff.

Fartacus_the_Mighty

Thanks for the link, though I'd really prefer to have something that just has an easy A/B switch. Kind of like one of those old tv/game AV switches of yore, where you'd flip the little switch to either watch tv or play your NES.

Foomy

Fartacus_the_Mighty wrote: »

Thanks for the link, though I'd really prefer to have something that just has an easy A/B switch. Kind of like one of those old tv/game AV switches of yore, where you'd flip the little switch to either watch tv or play your NES.

I've never seen such a device, It's just not a thing that most networks would ever need on them.

if you really wanted something like that you would probably need to make it yourself. I can't be much help here as my electrical circuit design knowledge isn't much beyond a hobby level.

you could do it manually, by using an in-line coupler and just swapping which of the 2 device cables is plugged into it, I used to do it for my consoles/spare pc until I got annoyed at having to swap things and just got a cheap switch

can I ask why the dislike of a networking switch? it's pretty designed for just plug in one internet carrying cable, and a bunch of devices and have it work seamlessly.

Fartacus_the_Mighty

Foomy wrote: »

Fartacus_the_Mighty wrote: »

Thanks for the link, though I'd really prefer to have something that just has an easy A/B switch. Kind of like one of those old tv/game AV switches of yore, where you'd flip the little switch to either watch tv or play your NES.

I've never seen such a device, It's just not a thing that most networks would ever need on them.

if you really wanted something like that you would probably need to make it yourself. I can't be much help here as my electrical circuit design knowledge isn't much beyond a hobby level.

you could do it manually, by using an in-line coupler and just swapping which of the 2 device cables is plugged into it, I used to do it for my consoles/spare pc until I got annoyed at having to swap things and just got a cheap switch

can I ask why the dislike of a networking switch? it's pretty designed for just plug in one internet carrying cable, and a bunch of devices and have it work seamlessly.

I'm actually dealing with what you did, a PC and a console (360). My goal is to be able to dedicate my internet connection to one or the other without needing to turn the PC off every time I want to get a quick UMvC3 match in. I could have both of them running at once on a router or switch, but I shudder at the thought of losing matches because one of the myriad of programs running on my PC decided it would be a good time to automatically update itself.

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll just buy one of those cheap switches and some extra cat-5, then I can have the switch at arm's length for quick swapping.

uean

Is your PC near the 360? Would it be too hard to just double click a file on the desktop when you want to play 360? There are some very easy commands you can issue to drop your IP and pick it back up (essentially an on/off switch) you can run from the PC when you want to play 360.

Fartacus_the_Mighty

uean wrote: »

Is your PC near the 360? Would it be too hard to just double click a file on the desktop when you want to play 360? There are some very easy commands you can issue to drop your IP and pick it back up (essentially an on/off switch) you can run from the PC when you want to play 360.

Yeah, they're like 2 feet apart. Also I just discovered that my software firewall has a SHUT DOWN EVERYTHING! button that would effectively prevent any PC-based net communication. So, problem solved!

Abracadaniel

a number of switches these days come preconfigured with quality of service settings built in and color-code the ports from highest to lowest priority. Easier than doing it yourself, but a little more expensive.

Bowen

This seems like a round about way to share an internet connection.

A $40 wired router should accomplish what you need to do without having to flip the switch?