Split Airport Extreme's Ethernet port

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Split Airport Extreme's Ethernet port

So, since Airport Extreme only offers 3 LAN Ethernet ports (unlike other brand routers that offer at least 4 ports), once my cable company gave me a new TiVO box that requires an Ethernet connection to use, now I need that extra port. Instead of purchasing a switch or a hub, can I just split one of the Airport Ethernet ports into two?

I'm considering a product like this - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0050DYAXA/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=depregarde-20&camp=0&c reative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B0050DYAXA&adid=0PWKT6M22PSKS2RT0WNN&

I know that Gigabit Ethernet uses all 8 wires inside the cable, but 100Mbps Ethernet uses only 4 out of 8 wires, so is it possible to split this out in the way I am considering?

If it's doable, it certainly would be alot less clutter and no additional power supply to deal with (as with a hub or switch). The TiVo would share the port with a network printer and most likely both wouldn't be in use at the same time.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Airport Extreme 4th Gen-OTHER, Other OS

Posted on Dec 27, 2012 9:23 AM

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Answer 1

John Galt

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Dec 27, 2012 8:43 PM in response to D E K E R

D E K E R wrote:

... is it possible to split this out in the way I am considering?

No. Buy a switch like this one.

There are many other, similar models. An eight port switch costs about $25.

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Answer 2

D E K E R Author

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Dec 28, 2012 4:39 AM in response to John Galt

Hi John, thanks. Understood.

The reason I specifically want to avoid a switch is due to a lack of available electrical sockets.

I was hoping a small dongle like the one I linked to would do the trick.

Any networking gurus out there who can speak to it being even a remote possibility?

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Answer 3

D E K E R Author

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Dec 28, 2012 4:47 AM in response to John Galt

In searching online, I found another thread in the discussions where using the dongle became a possibility.

The original poster was going to actually try the dongle and report back, but ended up using a router as a switch.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3171508

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Answer 4

D E K E R Author

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Jan 6, 2013 1:56 PM in response to D E K E R

Giving this thread a bump. Anyone ever attempted to do this?

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Answer 5

D E K E R Author

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Jan 15, 2013 9:19 AM in response to D E K E R

Hi all,

Since this just hasn't been done before, I decided to give it a try and report back. I've ordered a small ethernet splitter and will report back once it arrived.

For those interested, the exact product I purchased was this.

Will post again soon with my results...

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Answer 6

Mar 30, 2013 3:13 PM in response to D E K E R

I'm hoping to do the same. How did you go?

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Answer 7

John Galt

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Mar 30, 2013 6:18 PM in response to brilliantthings

That device will not do anything that you could not do by disconnecting one device and connecting another. If you were to use it you would absolutely need to shut one device down for the other to function.

As such it serves a very narrow purpose. If that is acceptable to you, it would work.

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Answer 8

D E K E R Author

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Apr 1, 2013 2:39 PM in response to brilliantthings

I should have stopped by to report back - sorry bout that. It did not work for me - I tried to split a TiVo and a printer between the one port with the splitter and neither would work right. I believe it could be because even if the appliance is off, the ethernet is still active, so once both devices show as being on, a conflict occurs.

For now, I'm doing it in the most annoying fashion - just switching the cable over to the printer when needed, otherwise it always stays with the TiVo. Ugh. Will need to just get another outlet in there and put a switch in soon.

Apple - give us 4 LAN ports on the next revision of Airport!!!!!!!!!!

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