Using a small switch to expand Ethernet port

We have a Stake Conference coming up and I am in need of more than one hard-wired Ethernet port at the podium. Am I allowed to install a small/cheap switch to expand the single Ethernet drop to four ports at the podium? If so, what type of switch will work? I have many cheap “home grade” 1G switches that could be used, but using one to test this out was a bit flakey - won’t hold a connection on any port for more than a minute or so before renegotiating. Do I have to configure that connection in the managed switch differently? Thanks.

Kelly Stevens STS Draper Corner Canyon Stake

kgstevens wrote: Thu Oct 17, 2024 7:24 am I am in need of more than one hard-wired Ethernet port at the podium.

I do it all the time but at the AV rack, not the pulpit. Still, it should also work there. Just make sure it is an unmanaged switch that is not trying to do anything special other than to split the line. And you should not have to make any change to your managed switch back at the firewall/router.

Make sure it's an actual switch and not a home router that will try to add services that will mess everything up.

It's quite possible the cable wasn't run correctly and can't support 1G. See if you can set the switch connection for 100M.

thanks for the prompt replies. I will try different switches and try lowering the speed to 100M.

Our Stake Conference worked out great. Not perfect, but worked. I used an old Ubiquity ToughSwitch (with DHCP off of course) to add the devices needed. They all connected at 1G.

I learned a lot - which is good. My biggest issue is I likely have a rogue switch/router on the network with DHCP turned on - confusing some new device connections by throwing them an invalid IP address. I need to now figure out how to trace this (these) devices down. There are not too many hardwired devices on the network, so will just take time and patience.

kgstevens wrote: Mon Oct 28, 2024 5:29 am There are not too many hardwired devices on the network, so will just take time and patience.

Most likely it's in a clerk's office, or if you have one, a FamilySearch center.

russellhltn wrote: Mon Oct 28, 2024 11:41 am Most likely it's in a clerk's office, or if you have one, a FamilySearch center.

And you might check to see if it is emitting a Wi-Fi signal. That would be a quick way to find it.