If you have two computers close enough to each other, you can connect them both to the same Ethernet cable. There are a few ways this can be done, depending on your available options. The best way to get started is by choosing the connection type that will work best for your setup. Can any of these connections work with your network? Find out below!
Connecting two computers to the same Ethernet cable with an Ethernet switch
If you have an Ethernet switch, it’s as easy as plugging in an Ethernet cable from one desktop to the other. You can also buy a special Ethernet switch that will allow you to connect four computers.
Connecting two computers to the same Ethernet cable using a router
The easiest way to connect two computers is to use a router. This will allow you to have internet access on both computers. You can then share an Ethernet cable between the two computers.
To get started, plug one end of the Ethernet cable into one computer and the other end into the router. Plug one end of another Ethernet cable into the other computer and plug it into your router as well (this will depend on how many Ethernet ports your router has). You can now turn on both computers and enjoy fast, reliable internet!
Beware: Your home’s internet connection can slow down when you’re using a router like this. If you want to avoid this, we recommend looking at some other options below!
Connection types that may work for you
Ethernet cable: If you have two computers close enough to each other, you can connect them both to the same Ethernet cable. The connection type you need will depend on the cable you have available.
Wi-Fi: If your computers are too far apart for an Ethernet connection, you can still connect them wirelessly through Wi-Fi. When setting up wireless connections, make sure to use a strong password to protect your network from unauthorized usage.
Bluetooth or AirPlay: If you don’t want to go through the trouble of connecting your devices directly, alternative methods are available. For example, Bluetooth and AirPlay allow you to project content from one device onto another without using wires!
If you have an Ethernet switch handy
If you have an Ethernet switch that has ports for both computers, all you need to do is plug the Ethernet cable into the back of each computer and connect them to the switch.
If you don’t have an Ethernet switch handy
If only one of your computers has an Ethernet port, you can connect it to the other computer via a USB cable.
Conclusion
It can be challenging to figure out how to connect two computers to the same Ethernet cable, but there are a few options. If you have an Ethernet switch handy, the easiest way to connect them is by using an Ethernet switch. If you don’t have an Ethernet switch handy, you can use a router. Connection types that may work for you include using the Wi-Fi connection on one of the computers or using a USB Ethernet adapter.
