Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


Williamhdc

1 post

Wannabe Geek


#216584 3-Jul-2017 22:49
Send private message

What would it take to add physical switches to my network? Could I use 4-pole switches on 4 out of the 8 in twisted pairs.

I like to disconnect my wired LAN computers while doing offline work, mostly for security reasons, but sometimes I exchange files between them. When I disconnect the power to my network switch I lose the whole network, no PC to PC exchange, and my Roku doesn't function.

Instead of unplugging each CAT 6 cable separately, constantly, my desire is to make a control panel where all connections to the network switch can be shut off independently. When I need certain network functionality I can specify what is connected to where.

To kill all traffic I'll use a 110v switch on the power adapter to the network switch. For traffic between PC's I want to shut off the connection from the network switch to the modem/router in the basement. Other times I'll allow my Roku to access the internet while editing video on 2 PC's offline (no exchange between them).

I'm not in the main building, so I have a single CAT 6 line running here, about 200 feet long. I don't want to bury another cable just for my Roku, although that would help. 

So, there are 4 twisted pairs of wires in network cable. How many wires out of the 8 need to be disconnected (switched open) to stop all traffic? Could I use 4-pole switches on all solid-color wires for example?

My time of internet searching for answers hasn't been fruitful so far, most of what I've seen are ads for network switches.


Create new topic
solutionz
589 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user


  #1812293 3-Jul-2017 22:57
Send private message

I'd avoid trying to wire physical switches directly to the ethernet cabling; it would probably work to some extent but introduce all sorts of interference / reliability issues.

Just use a bunch of cheap network switches and power them off at the wall when required.



Brumfondl
1187 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

  #1812296 3-Jul-2017 23:04
Send private message

You can't just use a managed switch with a crappy machine connecting to it that you can use to shut down ports as required?






Dynamic
3868 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #1812297 3-Jul-2017 23:19
Send private message

You have the option of adding a shortcut to your network adapter (network card's properties) on your computer desktop, and being able to do a right-click-disable or right-click-enable.

 

Or buy a network cable joiner and a short network cable and have this join easily accessible so you can plug and unplug the cable at will.  You should be able to find one of these http://dynamix.co.nz/home/search?q=A-RJ45-C5 for around $10.  (Note don't use the cheap beige straight-through joiners as they are telephone rated, not data rated.)





“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

 

Referral links to services I use, really like, and may be rewarded if you sign up:
PocketSmith for budgeting and personal finance management.  A great Kiwi company.




djtOtago
1153 posts

Uber Geek


  #1812298 3-Jul-2017 23:19
Send private message

Why not just disable the network adapter on the computer when you need to disconnect from the network.

 

On a windows machine it is just a few clicks of the mouse. I'm sure a script could be written to do it if you need.

 

IIRC On a Linux machine it can be done from the command line.

 

EDIT: Beaten by a few seconds :) 


coffeebaron
6235 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #1812318 4-Jul-2017 07:27
Send private message

Setup a VLAN?




Rural IT and Broadband support.

 

Broadband troubleshooting and master filter installs.
Starlink installer - one month free: https://www.starlink.com/?referral=RC-32845-88860-71 
Wi-Fi and networking
Cel-Fi supply and installer - boost your mobile phone coverage legally

 

Need help in Auckland, Waikato or BoP? Click my email button, or email me direct: [my user name] at geekzonemail dot com


Lias
5589 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #1812351 4-Jul-2017 08:53
Send private message

Buy a cheap Cisco 2950 on Trademe.





I'm a geek, a gamer, a dad, a Quic user, and an IT Professional. I have a full rack home lab, size 15 feet, an epic beard and Asperger's. I'm a bit of a Cypherpunk, who believes information wants to be free and the Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. If you use my Quic signup you can also use the code R570394EKGIZ8 for free setup.


 
 
 

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).
davidcole
6037 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

  #1812363 4-Jul-2017 09:14
Send private message

Lias:

 

Buy a cheap Cisco 2950 on Trademe.

 

 

Hmm, I have two 2950s (and a console cable) I couldn't get rid of on trademe if anyone want to play.  Based in Wellington though.





Previously known as psycik

Home Assistant: Gigabyte AMD A8 Brix, Home Assistant with Aeotech ZWave Controller, Raspberry PI, Wemos D1 Mini, Zwave, Shelly Humidity and Temperature sensors
Media:Chromecast v2, ATV4 4k, ATV4, HDHomeRun Dual
Server
Host Plex Server 3x3TB, 4x4TB using MergerFS, Samsung 850 evo 512 GB SSD, Proxmox Server with 1xW10, 2xUbuntu 22.04 LTS, Backblaze Backups, usenetprime.com fastmail.com Sharesies Trakt.TV Sharesight 


vulcannz
436 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user


  #1812443 4-Jul-2017 11:38
Send private message

What is the point of disconnecting and reconnecting them?


Create new topic





News and reviews »

Air New Zealand Starts AI adoption with OpenAI
Posted 24-Jul-2025 16:00


eero Pro 7 Review
Posted 23-Jul-2025 12:07


BeeStation Plus Review
Posted 21-Jul-2025 14:21


eero Unveils New Wi-Fi 7 Products in New Zealand
Posted 21-Jul-2025 00:01


WiZ Introduces HDMI Sync Box and other Light Devices
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:32


RedShield Enhances DDoS and Bot Attack Protection
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:26


Seagate Ships 30TB Drives
Posted 17-Jul-2025 11:24


Oclean AirPump A10 Water Flosser Review
Posted 13-Jul-2025 11:05


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Raising the Bar for Smartphones
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Brings New Edge-To-Edge FlexWindow
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Epson Launches New AM-C550Z WorkForce Enterprise printer
Posted 9-Jul-2025 18:22


Samsung Releases Smart Monitor M9
Posted 9-Jul-2025 17:46


Nearly Half of Older Kiwis Still Write their Passwords on Paper
Posted 9-Jul-2025 08:42


D-Link 4G+ Cat6 Wi-Fi 6 DWR-933M Mobile Hotspot Review
Posted 1-Jul-2025 11:34


Oppo A5 Series Launches With New Levels of Durability
Posted 30-Jun-2025 10:15









Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.



Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.