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2 separate ethernet connections into 1 desktop?

Anonymous
2024-04-14T22:36:48+00:00

To preface my questions, I am NOT trying to combine 2 ethernet connections to get any bumps in speed. The speed of both of my fiber ISPs is excellent.

I am also not doing this to run programs/apps on specific ethernet connections.

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The Problem

I have 2 ISPs running into my house on 2 separate routers. I have Ethernet cables from each router running to my desktop, but I only have ONE Ethernet port on the back of my desktop.

If one of my connections slows or goes down, I have to get up and change out the cables.

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I want to be able to connect both Ethernet cables to the 1 computer and be able to manually switch between the 2 or (if it is possible) also have the computer drop the slower or down connection and reconnect with the other.

Will a male splitter with two female connectors allow me to run both of the Ethernet cables to the computer, or would it be best to have a USB/Ethernet adapter to connect the second cable to the desktop?

Once either of those is done, what next?

I don't know how any of this works, and before I spend any money on splitters or adapters, I'd like to know what is possible and how to do it.

Thanks in advance.

NOTE: I'm using Win10 Pro - 64 bit OS - 32GB RAM - 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-13400   2.50 GHz

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Internet and connectivity

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-04-14T23:25:59+00:00

    Hello. What you are looking to do is commonly called a network "bridge" a "failover".

    I will try to draw what it would look like.

    [ ISP-A ]-- \ ==|ROUTER-A IN BRIDGE MODE WAN 1 |

    [ ISP-B ]-- / ==|ROUTER-A IN BRIDGE MODE WAN 2 | 

                                                                                   > To Wifi router To Eathernet port out #1 To PC.

                                                                               OR> To Android To USB Port PC.

    The desktop can be on WIFI as well but would need to buy a PCIE WIFI card or a really good USB WIFI adaptor.

    If you have an old android phone hanging around you can also use the tether mode. I owned a desktop PC along time ago and had to buy a PCIE WIFI card because they didn't make them back then when I first got the PC but it came out a few years later. The PCIE WIFI card with the antenas are best.

    If the Bridged router supports it you could buy the WIFI6 one.

    The USB WIFI adaptors are "OK" but you would have better every thing with using the PCIE WIFI cards If thats what you choose.

    If You are SET on useing Eathernet cables Do the same method as above but useing the Eathernet cables instead.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-04-15T11:59:31+00:00

    Found a photo. This Router is a bit expensive but It would work.

    When you use a USB adaptor the main Eathernet on the PC would turn off because it is a Windows thing.

    If the adaptor had two input ports like a "switch" has that could work too.

    There called Gameing routers.

    Image

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-04-15T07:36:59+00:00

    Thanks for this information. I'll research it further. Much appreciated.

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-04-15T07:35:36+00:00

    Thanks. When you started talking about WIFI, you confused me a bit. I can access WIFI on my desktop with no problem already. I do a LOT of streaming, and the WIFI connections are usually not strong enough to have a good experience, but they are more than adequate for Internet surfing.

    I'm interested in getting both ethernet cables connected and being able to either manually switch them on the desktop or have Windows make the switch for me when the one I'm using has failed or experiences a lag.

    There are USB/Ethernet adapters out there, and I am trying to find out if this type of adapter will allow me to connect the second ethernet cable and will allow me to do one of the two actions above.

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  5. Rodrigo Queiroz 77,500 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-04-15T00:19:18+00:00

    Hi,

    I'm Rodrigo and I'll help you.

    The best option is to use a network adapter, a PCI ethernet card will give you the best results, but the USB option is not bad (if you have a connection speed above 100Mbps, use a USB 3.0 USB adapter)

    You can change the active connection by disabling/enabling the network adapter on Windows settings. (Right-click the network icon on the taskbar > Open Network and internet settings > Change adapter options). You can create a shortcut and/or a script to change it easily.

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