Basic question about ethernet switches vs multiple cable runs.

[mxmaniac]

For the sake of the question, I'll use a typical single family home as an example, with a couple streaming devices here and there, and 20Mbps internet.

If you plan to run some direct ethernet connections, and there are say 5 devices in a media area which you want to hard wire directly to the router. Is there any disadvantage to just running a single ethernet wire to the area, and then using a cheap 5 port gigabit hub, versus running 5 ethernet cables (assuming your router has enough ports)?

It seems a lot cleaner to just have one cable come from the wall, and a switch tucked nicely behind. However I've often been to places where I see huge massive bundles of ethernet cables, seemingly with dedicated cables going everywhere, and I've also heard stories of people wiring up 35+ cable runs in their houses, so it makes me wonder if there is a major advantage to dedicated cables, vs fewer cables which fork off at switch locations.

 

[ch33zw1z]

For almost all home usage situations, the switch will be just fine.

 

[Red Squirrel]

The only thing with having switches outside of the network closet is that you need another UPS to manage (change batteries, etc) but not really that huge of a deal. For speed, unless you have multiple transfers going on at once you probably wont notice anything.

That said, if you are running jacks may as well run one jack per device, then run twice as more than what you need to have some spare jacks. So if you have 3 devices then perhaps run a 4 jack plate at two locations in that room.

I personally like having all home runs as it's easier to manage, but chances are you wont really notice a difference either way.

 

[sao123]

1st lets make sure you understand your terminology...
there is a big difference (in performance also) between a HUB and a Switch, because you used the terms very loosely in your OP.

Now... if your router has more than one port, it most likely has a switch built into it.

There is going to be very little difference between a router with a built in switch and 5 cables, and a router with 1 cable to a separate switch.
However in this second example, if you replace the 5 port switch, with a 5 port Ethernet hub... then that is a world of difference and very undesirable.

 

[JackMDS]

Using one cable and one switch at the end is perfectly OK.

This is a good inexpensive choice.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833156251

 

[mxmaniac]

OK, well as far as the issue that was brought up about a hub vs switch, 1 port router vs 5 port router, etc.

What exactly happens with the situation of the latter? Meaning you have a typical router with 4 ports built in, then you feed the wire from one lan port of the router, through the house, to the gigabit switch?

Does that cause a problem, going through both the router's internal switch, and then a second switch?

 

[ch33zw1z]

OK, well as far as the issue that was brought up about a hub vs switch, 1 port router vs 5 port router, etc.

What exactly happens with the situation of the latter? Meaning you have a typical router with 4 ports built in, then you feed the wire from one lan port of the router, through the house, to the gigabit switch?

Does that cause a problem, going through both the router's internal switch, and then a second switch?

no. both are switches. Hubs are different than switches, and rarely used anymore. just hit google for some information about the difference.

 

[sao123]

OK, well as far as the issue that was brought up about a hub vs switch, 1 port router vs 5 port router, etc.

What exactly happens with the situation of the latter? Meaning you have a typical router with 4 ports built in, then you feed the wire from one lan port of the router, through the house, to the gigabit switch?

Does that cause a problem, going through both the router's internal switch, and then a second switch?

a 5 port router is just a router + a switch in the same device. A 5 port router into another switch is the same as a 1 port router into a switch.