Ethernet switch

Question

Ethernet switch

I'm using my MacBook Air in a room with a poor wifi signal. I'm using it to teach remotely, and I do have an ethernet cable. I purchased the ethernet to thunderbolt adapter and that works great. I also purchased the ethernet to lightning adapter from Belkin (both sold at apple store).

I purchased from amazon a network switch and there seems to be a problem with it. Both adapters work fine individually, but I need some way to split the ethernet cable to two so that it works for a Mac. In digging through the reviews on amazon, a lot of ethernet switches don't seem to work for Macs.

Any thoughts for what I can do? If I'm running my Mac over the ethernet, the wifi is turned off so I think I lose connectivity with my iPad.

Thanks for any help!

iPad mini, iPadOS 13

Posted on Oct 6, 2020 5:38 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 6, 2020 6:32 PM in response to KiltedTim

When I plug the ethernet into the switch then to my computer, I get the message "Apple USB Ethernet adapter has a self-assigned IP address and will not be able to connect to the internet."

This led me to believe that there was something different/special about Macs or the Apple adapter? In my mind the switch was just a splitter, one to two for the ethernet cable.

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Answer 2

John Galt

Level 10

155,696 points

Oct 6, 2020 7:17 PM in response to iteachphysics

I don't know of any switches that don't work.

I'd regard those reviews with suspicion. Just make sure you are using an unmanaged switch, and reboot your router whenever making an infrastructure change to its network. That last step may be all that's required.

If that doesn't help, the USB to Ethernet adapter might not work, or something else could be wrong. To simplify matters try connecting it directly to the router. Turn off Wi-Fi. That effectively isolates troubleshooting to the adapter and whatever cables and devices are between it and the router. If that works, the adapter is obviously ok. Then, add the switch, and remember to reboot the router.

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Answer 3

KiltedTim

Level 10

225,684 points

Oct 6, 2020 5:46 PM in response to iteachphysics

There is nothing particularly special when it comes to Macs and Ethernet switches.

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Ethernet switch

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