(E-Mail Removed) wrote:
> My Linksys BEFSX41 has all the ethernet output ports in use. I want to
> hook up a Slingbox(which requires an ethernet connection) in the living
> room, with my Tivo unit. The Tivo has an ethernet connection from the
> router. Can I install an ethernet switch at the Tivo to get another
> ethernet connection for the Slingbox? It would be acting as a "Y"
> connector, more or less. Or do I have to install the switch back at the
> router and run another ethernet cable. Or do I have to get another
> router with more outputs...and still run another cable?
> Hope this is clear.
> Thanks in advance for any help.
You can have only one router. However, your one router can have many
hubs. For example, if you have one wire running from your router to the
living room, then plug a hub (or "switch" as its now called, but there
is very little difference - I think that hub is now used to refer to USB
type hubs, where switch is used for eithernet cat-5 wire with RJ45 plugs
- the eight wire plug that looks like a large telephone jack). So yes,
run a cat-5 wire with RJ-45 plugs on each end beginning at a port on
your linksys router ending in the living room. Then put a switch or hub
(NOT ANOTHER ROUTER) on the livining room end of the wire. That will do
it. Here's an optional idea. Since your router ports are full and you
already have a wire running into the livingroom, you may want to buy a
switch... so, lets say your router has 5 ports and all are used. Then
buy yourself an 8 or 16 port switch. Plug the switch into one of the
router ports and then take all of the other wires and plug them into one
of the 15 remaining switch ports. Now, if one of those wires goes to
the livingroom, it will still connect to the internet. However, if you
need two separate leads into the livingroom, then you will want to go
with a small switch placed on the livingroom side.