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Williamhdc

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#216584 3-Jul-2017 22:49
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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.


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solutionz
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  #1812293 3-Jul-2017 22:57
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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
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  #1812296 3-Jul-2017 23:04
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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
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  #1812297 3-Jul-2017 23:19
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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.)





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djtOtago
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  #1812298 3-Jul-2017 23:19
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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 :) 


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  #1812318 4-Jul-2017 07:27
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Setup a VLAN?




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Lias
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  #1812351 4-Jul-2017 08:53
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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. Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.


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  #1812363 4-Jul-2017 09:14
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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.





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vulcannz
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  #1812443 4-Jul-2017 11:38
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What is the point of disconnecting and reconnecting them?


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