Adding Ethernet Ports with a Network Switch

Network switch used to add additional Ethernet ports to a home network.

My previous video on “Wiring Ethernet Extensions” is here:

In the video, I state that global average broadband speeds are no more than a few hundred megabits per second. Estimates vary considerably, but I can find no reports of any country having an average broadband speed greater than 300 megabits. My sources were as follows:

For additional ExplainingComputers videos and other content, you can become a channel member here:

More videos on computing and related topics can be found at:

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:45 Network Switch
05:08 Router & Switch
07:58 Socket & Switch
09:35 Speed Bottleneck?
11:25 Wrap

#NetworkSwitch #EthernetPorts #explainingcomputers

[lesliedeana]

You know that you are obsessed with computers when you outgrow your 2nd 16 port switch!

[RoboNuggie]

A back to basics guide on an essential need for those of us who perhaps prefer non-wifi connectivity when we have a choice!
Thank you Chris, have a great Sunday.

[brysi]

I was hoping you were gonna touch on POE switches when describing the different kinds but this was great and very informative.

[JeffGeerling]

5:15 thank you for your excellent translations for those of us not in the UK :)

[idowebwork]

Another amazing guide for those looking at their router and needing to add more ports. I originally started with turning an older router into a switch, but now have several dedicated switches.

[LeeZhiWei]

I'm taking a computing course in school and we just covered networking last week with Gigabit Switches and LANs. What a coincidence. Awesome video. Love your stuff. PS I think I used this switch too.

[chriholt]

Another great primer Chris! Second nature for many, but I'm sure there are also many who will really appreciate seeing how easy it is to add additional ports in this way. FWIW, I have always used the *last* port on the added-on switch to connect to the existing switch/router/gateway. Just a personal preference :)

[ThomasBrisco]

Thanks, Chris! You have a way of making complex topics very straight-forward!

[davidgunther]

This video was great timing! Yesterday I started looking for what I needed to expand my network.

[martinsmith]

Thanks Chris, another great vid. PnP unmanaged was how I added extra ports to my home office (mancave)

[mhackr]

Excellent video, Chris!

This is a very essential guide for anyone who is getting started with computers, and/or who is building a lab at home.

Never underestimate the value of a decent POE switch... APs, other switches, SBCs, etc., can all be powered, with a single cable. Very clean and nice to have.

[RoshiGaming]

Even if I already know the content of the videos, I always enjoy watching your videos Chris, nice and concise!

This video, like many, also got me thinking about my own setup at home, and I somehow forgot about an 8 port cisco switch I had laying around upstairs that will help quite a bit with expanding my home network for free!

[johncundiff]

Great video once again!! I have 7 unmanaged switches all through my house and garage! My computer work room has an 8 port switch that connects to all 3 bedrooms, my living room HTPC and my garage PC. Such a fantastic and inexpensive way to make your entire home a wired network!! I have a cable modem, then a wired/wireless switch. I had to change the ip address of the wired/wireless gateway to make all the PC's work. I'm going on 10 years now with this elegant solution!! Perfect video as always!

[Colin_Ames]

An excellent guide to the basics. I had to do something similar when I moved into my current house. My ISP’s gateway is in the kitchen, and it’s logistically not possible to run an ethernet cable to a room above the attached garage. The ISP provided what they called a “pod” which connects wirelessly to the gateway, and which I have upstairs (like a mesh network). The pod has two ethernet ports, and is also wireless, but my original XBox needs ethernet, as does my desktop PC, so a simple switch provides that functionality.

[CommodoreFan]

I recently did this as I upgraded my home network with a TP-Link Deco X20 3 base mesh router setup that only has 2 ports one going to the modem, and the 2nd for whatever, but I needed a port for my desktop, and MagicJack Home phone adapter, and I got a newer version of this TP-Link switch that has all the ports including the power port on the back for nice tidy look, and I also recommend TP-Link to anyone upgrading their network either on a budget, or looking to deck it out with the latest, and greatest gear, as it just works, and works well. As always Chris thanks for another great back to basics video. 👍

[brianwood]

Thanks for sharing Chris, I'm sure this info will be helpful to many people who have never realised they could extend their ethernet network.

[mr.dingleberry]

What an amazing video! As someone who is into computers, I am embarrassingly uneducated when it comes to networking and have only recently started to work on that so this type of content is very valuable. I also appreciate that you clarified this 5:28 because the meaning of these terms can be rather difficult to tell apart for someone in my position. You also answered every single one of my questions with that "Speed Bottleneck?" segment before I even had a chance to ask them!

I remember seeing someone mentioning "Explaining VLAN" as a video idea on your 2022 channel update, and I believe I'm not the only one who wishes for more networking content in general as it seems to be an unexplored frontier on your channel. There is so much stuff to learn there, and I think many people would love to learn them from you!

[thenotred]

Very useful video explaning the network switch!

Just got one myself to expand connections between my computer, mesh WiFi, and the main router. Soon, might add a network printer and a NAS.

[Reziac]

I have three of those TP-Link 8-port switches. Literally the most painless hardware I've ever owned -- just plug everything into whatever port is convenient, and it all works. (They also have cable-sensing, so any cable will work.) In fact I have them daisy-chained (something like your setup) with almost every port occupied, and still no issues whatever. Also, that switch runs very cool -- no need for a fan. An excellent example of how to make home networking easy for anyone.

[waynestewart]

Its been a while since I've enjoyed one of your videos. And as usual you put a big nerdy smile upon my face. And thanks to Mr. Stanley for his wonderful cameo.