Ethernet switches

[SecretImbecile]

Hi,

 

I'm in university accommodation, and for whatever archaic reason, I can only use a single mac address on my rooms ethernet at a time (switching the registered device takes about an hour)

 

Now, I'm afraid networking is something a black spot in my knowledge. Does anybody know if buying a small ethernet switch would be likely to allow me to use multiple devices, or are mac addresses still going to be an issue? Here's one I picked off of amazon in a not-far-from-random manner.

 

Thanks

[Anthony_95]

A switch will commutated every device to the uplink and it won't work because of the different mac's.

 

BUT if you buy a router, and put the mac to the WAN interface of the router, every device behind it can connect to Internet with the same connection. 

[wpirobotbuilder]

You must have registered your MAC address with your school's networking department when you requested a wired internet connection in your room. It's how they verify valid computers on the school's network.

 

At my school we could request an additional wired connection for a different MAC address for $20 a piece, but it could be done. At that point you will be able to use a switch.

 

 

A switch will commutated every device to the uplink and it won't work because of the different mac's.

 

BUT if you buy a router, and put the mac to the WAN interface of the router, every device behind it can connect to Internet with the same connection. 

Probably against the school's Acceptable Use Policy, since routers can make it easier to break into the school's network. Same reason wireless printers tend to be off limits.

[Vitalius]

Using a switch wouldn't help. Every single ethernet controller in the world has a unique MAC address*.

Unless you spoof them, but eh. That's a lot of work.