Key Takeaways
- Power over Ethernet is ideal for security cameras and phones.
- Connect NAS directly to PCs for better performance and security.
- Use MoCA for stable internet on smart TVs.
Ethernet has been around as long as home computers have been around, and the trusty Ethernet port we all know and love, also known as the RJ45 port, has been around since the late 1980s. These days, many people use their services Ethernet port to connect their router on their computer with fast connection speed. When playing games online, it’s always a good idea to have your PC connected to your router via Ethernet, and the same goes for uploading video content.
However, a routeis one of the many things you can connect to an Ethernet port. There are many different devices that can be connected to your computer’s Ethernet port, and there are also gadgets outside of your computer that benefit from a wired Internet connection. Although it is common to connect your computer to your router via Ethernet, there are several options for devices that connect to a network or even a power source via Ethernet. From powering a security camera system to getting a free internet gaming experience, here are the devices I almost always connect via Ethernet.
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1 Power over Ethernet (PoE) security cameras.
PoE delivers network and power
Power over Ethernet, or PoE, is a great way to power devices that require an active network and minimal power. It’s an excellent solution for security cameras and intercom systems, and because of this, you’re more likely to see PoE used in commercial environments. However, with the recent rise in home automation, PoE devices like security cameras are a great way to save some money on your energy bill while keeping your camera online at all times.
Making your security cameras IP-enabled is also a great way to save space.
PoE allows you to remotely control the power on and off of devices without as many wires as you would need with a brick-and-mortar AC-powered device. This means you can achieve significant energy savings by choosing when to turn off your PoE-enabled devices. Making your security cameras IP-enabled is also a great way to save space. Security cameras backed up to hard drives require a large amount of storage space, but with an IP security camera, you can get your security camera backup on a cloud server instead.
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2 Voice-over-IP Phones
Bring an office quality phone to your home office
You can also use PoE to use a Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol (VOIP) phone in your home. While this may seem a bit redundant, it’s a great solution if you work from home and make a few calls every day. Not only will you sound cool and clear on each call, but you’ll be able to easily hold calls or forward calls to other numbers through your Ethernet connection.
This means you don’t need a landline in your house to work. One of the notable advantages of a VOIP phone is that you can take it on the go during a trip. Having a VOIP phone in your home can completely improve your work-from-home experience, blurring the line between home office and office.
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3 NAS devices
Connect your NAS directly to your PC
While connecting your NAS to your PC via a router or switch is common, did you know you can connect your NAS directly to your PC with an Ethernet cable? Connecting the NAS directly to your PC with a fixed IP address can improve its performance and give you strong security, but it comes with the disadvantage of not allowing your NAS to communicate with all your devices, as it will only be able to communicate with them. your PC.
If you want your NAS to be accessed by multiple devices, you should consider connecting it with an Ethernet cable to your router or using a dedicated switch.
4 Set up a MoCA network in your home
Ethernet over coaxial for stable internet connections for consoles and more
If you have coaxial outlets in your house or apartment, you can use them to transmit an Internet signal. I lived in a two-story apartment with a router built downstairs, and using MoCA was a very cost-effective way for my roommates and I to get a stable internet connection upstairs without having to buy new routers or worry about Wi-Fi. -Fi extensions.
MoCA adapters have Ethernet ports, allowing you to pull almost the same amount of data from your router as if you were connected directly via Ethernet. You will need at least two adapters as one needs to be connected to your router.
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5 Smart TVs and games consoles
If viewing in 4K, Ethernet is required
Now that 4K streaming has come to platforms like Apple TV, Netflixagain Sizethere’s never been a better time to connect your TV to Ethernet. Nothing completely breaks the immersion in a good movie more than dropping the stream from 4K quality to 480p. What could be worse is a completely cut scene and ban.
You’ll experience less lag and faster download speeds with a PS5 or Xbox One connected directly to Ethernet rather than Wi-Fi.
I connect my smart TV to my network via Ethernet to avoid this problem. It helps that my router setup is in my living room, so I don’t have to run the cable that far. If your router is far from your TV, you can connect it to the MoCA connection via Ethernet, but remember that this will not give you the same quality as if it is connected directly to your home router. The same applies to game consoles. You’ll experience less lag and faster download speeds with a PS5 or Xbox One connected directly to Ethernet rather than Wi-Fi.
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6 Connect to another PC
Transfer files easily
If you need to transfer large files between two computers, why not use an Ethernet cable? Usually, you connect multiple PCs to your router, but by connecting two computers with an Ethernet cable, you can transfer files at whatever speed the cable you’re using is rated for. Most Ethernet ports now support a feature called AUTO-MDIX, which allows the port to detect and adjust the speed of the connected Ethernet cable, ensuring you have the best connection every time.
I’ve used this method to transfer photos and video files from an old computer to a new one, and it saves a lot of time compared to transferring wirelessly or backing up everything to external drives. If you have a large drive full of 4K videos, transferring those files will take a lot of time. Using an Ethernet cable connected between two computers can speed up this process.
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FAQ
Q: Which Ethernet cable should I get?
One of the best features of Ethernet is its backward compatibility. Currently, the highest standard of Ethernet for consumers is Cat8, which provides 40 Gbps of data transfer speed. It is a good idea to buy a Cat8 cable because it will work with any previous Ethernet standard, but it will also be suitable for Cat8 routers, switches, and ports.
Q: How fast is Ethernet over Wi-Fi?
In general, Ethernet is faster than Wi-Fi. Since your device is directly connected to your router via Ethernet, you’ll experience faster speeds and more reliable average download speeds when using Ethernet.
