An Ethernet splitter doesn't actually split an Ethernet connection into two separate, functional network connections; instead, it leverages unused wires within an Ethernet cable to allow two devices to share the same physical cable, but significantly reducing network speed and often. An Ethernet splitter doesn't actually split an Ethernet connection into two separate, functional network connections; instead, it leverages unused wires within an Ethernet cable to allow two devices to share the same physical cable, but significantly reducing network speed and often. An Ethernet splitter doesn't actually split an Ethernet connection into two separate, functional network connections; instead, it leverages unused wires within an Ethernet cable to allow two devices to share the same physical cable, but significantly reducing network speed and often introducing. It takes an existing wired Ethernet connection, and splits it off into two, giving you the ability to connect what is effective, a single Ethernet connection, and share it between two distinct devices. Although those two devices do need to share the overall connection speed of the Ethernet cable. Very technically you could use technology to add more ports BUT most ISP only give you a single IP address so only 1 device will function. This is reason people have a router, its primary purpose is to share the 1 IP the ISP gives you with multiple device. Most times if a ISP device is both a. When you need to connect multiple wired devices like computers, printers, and IP phones, but only have one Ethernet wall port, using an Ethernet splitter or network switch can expand your connectivity without rewiring. I've never used it, so I need confirmation that it work or not before I'll buy it. @Moab but why? If the network with hub works, why it shouldn't work with that. My ISP gives me 2 static IP's. Am I correct that the easiest way to split them and run two different networks is to run their modem into a unmanaged dumb switch, and then from there into two different Firewalls, setup with each static IP on the WAN.