When [googling “ethernet splitter”](https://www.google.com/search?q=ethernet+splitter&tbm=isch) intuition immediately tells that you can have one input (where the cable coming from the router enters) which can be split to 2 computers at the other end.
However, this is not how it works:
>To use splitters, you’ll need two: one to connect your two devices, and another at the other end to “unsplit” the connection. This means you’ll still be using the same number of Ethernet ports on your router as if you were using two separate cables. You don’t add any Ethernet ports by using a splitter, you simply share a single cable.
(source [https://www.howtogeek.com/797864/ethernet-splitter-vs.-switch-whats-the-difference/](https://www.howtogeek.com/797864/ethernet-splitter-vs.-switch-whats-the-difference/))
**QUESTION**: why isn’t the signal simply **split** ? What is it that a switch does differently ?
In: 1
Those devices take advantage of that 100 Mbps ethernet only uses [half the wires](https://o.quizlet.com/uJPiue-vL4u2QnPsga3RRg_b.png) in the cable. So you can use an 8-wire ethernet cable to carry two connections that only actually need 4 wires each.
It’s a stupid idea in this day and age. Gigabit and above require all 8 wires for a single connection. Just buy a dirt cheap gigabit switch on each end. You can get those for about $10.
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