Running 2 ethernet connection over single CAT-5e cable

I already have an existing network cable wired from my router to my unifi iptv set-top box at the TV. Currently, I also have my HTPC connected to TV but it uses wifi for Internet connection. So I wondered if I could share the cable for both iptv set-top box and HTPC since wired connection is always better and more reliable than wireless. Adding a switch/hub at TV side will not work because the set-top box requires a dedicated VLAN port on the router that is different from general internet traffic. Since I know that ethernet up to 100Mbps uses only 4 of the 8 wires in CAT-5e, I wondered if I can use the other 4 wires for a separate network connection. I bought 2 RJ-45 splitter to try but realize they were wired parallelly (basically a Y connection for all 8 wires). Therefore I had to break open the splitter and with a little finger dexterity practice to rewire it as below [sorry for the diagram, drawing on tablet also requires significant finger dexterity :-) ].
After some wire cutting and soldering both splitters, I connected them properly at both ends and it really works! Even with heavy traffic from iptv, no error or dropped packets on PC ethernet connection.



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Repairing Roomba charging circuit

VirtualBox Hardware Virtualization and Nested Paging

Fixing USB audio controller (CM108) for headphones