They say there are no dumb questions, so here goes

My son wants 2 Ethernet cables in his room. Is there a way to run several devices off of one cable?
The router has one more port available, but I'm trying to avoid running new cable if it can be done.

 

The only alternative is an Amped 2400. For lack of better terminology, it's a reverse wireless router. It grabs the wireless signal from your main router & converts it into 5 wired ports. If you buy one of them (under $100), disable DHCP on it & use DHCP from the main router.


Edit: A basic Ethernet switch should work too. Sorry about that.

 

Here is a page of ports, This is best Buy but most electronic store will have them,
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/network...d=abcat0503012

 

IF your son is running 10/100 Ethernet then only two of the four cable pairs are being used. He could "break out" the two pair to an additional plug (at the router) and jack in his room for only a couple of dollars for the hardware. Otherwise a "switch" as pugsl linked to is the best answer. Having the switch at the router and an additional switch in his room may somewhat slow down data transfer rate.

I personally would not advise wireless, just because I prefer wires.

 

The Ethernet switch is the way to go. Hoping you have good quality cable coming into the room and a decent gigabit router and there won't be any problem adding as many devices as you want to that cable.

- Peter

 

This sounds like good news. The router is an ASUS Gigabit.
The cable printing says (among other things) enhanced CAT5, 24AWG-4PR-ETL. I didn't realize there are more wires than needed in the cable.

So I think I will go with the switch? I wouldn't want to add/split jacks myself unless there are "easy" jacks.

 

If there is an Ethernet cable already going to your son's room and you want to connect more than one device, an Ethernet switch is the way to go (as pjaffe mentioned). Five port switches are pretty inexpensive. I picked up a 5-port Gigabit switch on sale for under $10. Plug the Ethernet cable in your son's room into one of the 5 ports (doesn't matter which one). You now have 4 more ports available to use as needed.

 

If you are running gigabit speeds then you cannot "break out" the cable to serve two devices. Gigabit uses all four pairs.

Switch is definitely the way to go.

 

I agree, just add a switch in his room.

 

Thanks guys, you all kept me out of a crawlspace...

 

You might look into a powerline adapter and switch.
The combination lets you run ethernet data through your existing house electric wiring to any plug,
then split it to supply several ethernet devices.

 

I've used a powerline Ethernet adapter at a couple of client's homes. They work well, but only if the two outlets (source & destination) are on the same circuit. Most homes have 240V power coming into them. Standard 120VAC comes from taking one of the 240V wires and ground. Typically, homes are wired such that approximately half the wiring (lights & outlets) are connected to one side of the 240V, while the rest of the wiring is connected to the other 240V lead. If both powerline adapters are on the same 240V line, they work quite well. However, if you have one adapter on one line, and the other adapter on the other line, they don't work well (either won't work at all or will be very slow). So, you have a 50/50 chance that a powerline adapter will work.

 

Or, you go downstairs with a flashlight and a screwdriver, turn off the main breaker, open the panel, and swap either of the 2 powerline breakers with a neighbor.

Agreed, you get excellent results if they're on the same circuit,
good results if they're on the same 240v leg,
but not-so good if they're on opposite legs.

 

Been using $10 or less (+free shipping) used Ethernet switches from Ebay for many years and have seen no problems. I remember reading years ago they might not be best choice for online gaming but have no experience with that.

Full disclosure: First switch lasted 10 years now on my second switch that's more than five years old and going strong.