How Do I Add More Ports To My Router

How to Add More Ethernet Ports to a Router

Written Past:

Updated December 14, 2021

If y'all are experimenting with both wired and wireless network connections, you may wonder how to add more Ethernet ports to a router. The best routers, after all, may still be hampered by a minimal number of Ethernet ports and yous may desire more. Keep reading to larn well-nigh some options to increase the number of Net ports.

Fundamental TAKEAWAYS:

Most modern routers ship with four Ethernet ports, though some may include five or more.
To get more ports, purchase and install a network switch, otherwise known as an Ethernet hub or Ethernet switch. Make certain y'all have the needed Ethernet cables and network cables at the ready.
You can as well just replace the router if you detect one that offers a greater number of ports for a wired connection.

Adding More than Ethernet Ports to a Router

Generally speaking, a standard wireless router includes four Ethernet ports, though some newer models may feature five or more ports to choose from. This is in addition to however many USB ports are included with the device. You may not exist able to utilize a router without a modem, but you can easily run of ports. What happens then? Luckily, you accept some options.

Insider Tip

Utilise a wired Ethernet connection for online gaming or for streaming ultra-loftier-definition video content.

Get a New Router

An piece of cake mode to add more ports to your Internet feel is to just replace the router with a new 1 that has more ports. Generally speaking, whatever router provided to yous via your Cyberspace Service Provider (Internet service provider) will exist relatively free of modern features, including additional Ethernet ports. If you lot buy one of the latest and greatest wireless routes available, yous will almost certainly have access to a greater number of ports than y'all would with the rental unit of measurement from the ISP. Of grade, read the fine print ahead of time to ensure the router you purchase integrates with your modem and that it does indeed boast more than Ethernet ports.

Ethernet Switches

Ethernet switches, otherwise known as Ethernet hubs, are accessories that have been purpose-built to add ports to a pre-existing wireless router. They are cheap and simple to use. All yous have to do is plug it into one of the available Ethernet ports and curiosity at all of the new ports at the ready. Ethernet switches can allow every bit many as eight additional ports, all splitting the aforementioned Ethernet signal. This may not exist equally convenient as, say, learning how mesh wifi works, only it is shut. These accessories may also be called a network switch if you are on the hunt.

Use Wi-Fi

Another unproblematic style to costless upwards Ethernet ports is to connect devices wirelessly, thus making more ports available for gadgets that absolutely need them. Save your ports for gaming consoles, PCs, and the like.

F.A.Q.South

Does adding a switch to my router deadening information technology down?

Information technology should not dull information technology downwardly if y'all are looking to add ports to course a larger network. Larger switches tend to operate as quickly as smaller switches.

Can I reuse an old router every bit a switch?

Some routers can be repurposed as a switch, though these unmanaged switches can occasionally cause network glitches and problems with Ethernet devices.

How long can cables between switches be?

100 meters is the maximum hither, but in general, the shorter the improve. This volition ensure you get an uninterrupted Internet connection as you lot admission gigabit Ethernet.

How long can cables between switches exist?

Some routers can be repurposed every bit a switch, though these unmanaged switches can occasionally cause network glitches and problems with Ethernet devices.

STAT: If your ISP offers VOIP telephone service, their gateway is probable to as well include telephone jacks, making it a 3-in-1 device (source)

Lawrence Bonk is a copywriter with a decade of experience in the tech space, with columns appearing in Engadget, Huffington Post and CBS, amongst others. He has a cat named Cinnamon.