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Posted by on March 28, 2008, 10:00 am
If you were Registered and logged in, you could reply and use other advanced thread options > Let's say we have four computers that we want to network together. Of
> course, we can get a four-port hub and run an Ethernet cable from each
> individual computer to the hub.
>
> I wonder, though, if it's possible to use some sort of RJ45 splitter
> in order to daisy-chain the computers in a bus topology? For instance:
>
> Computer A has an Ethernet cable connected into it which leads to
> Computer B, but before the cable goes into Computer B, it goes through
> a Y-splitter, one side of it going to Computer B, and the other side
> leading on to Computer C. Similarly with Computer C, it has a Y
> splitter which leads to Computer D.
>
> Can this be done with one of these?:http://cgi.ebay.ie/Cat5-Network-Ethern=
et-Adaptor-Converter-RJ45-Split...
>
> I get the idea that this little cheap device can't be used... but I'd
> appreciate if somebody couple please explain why to me.
>
> Another scenario:
> Let's say you're in a college or a library and there's a workstation
> hooked up to an Ethernet socket in the wall. You want to join the
> network without having to disconnect the workstation, so you use some
> sort of Y-splitter that you plug into the wall.
>
> Again, is this possible?
Yes, you can do it. In fact that was how the original ethernet was
intended to be used.
However, without manual configuration of each node, you might not be
able to get anything faster than 10Mbit/half-duplex working.
If I understand ethernet well, you need a central unit hub or switch
to negotiate speeds with. Without it, auto-negotiation might not be
possible.
Also, all of the devices will have to work at the speed of the slowest
adaptor.
The splitters would have to be of good quality. They must be
terminated properly. In general, your setup will be less reliable
because there will lots more possible of points of failure.
If you have more than just 2-3 computers, the cost of the hub or
switch will be less than the setup you are proposing.
If this is for a real working environment, you should do it with hubs/
switches, unless you have very specific reasons for wanting to do the
daisy chain.
But if you are doing it to learn/for fun, then this is a nice little
project that will expose many of ethernet's secrets to you.
Dimitris
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