Do network switch expansion cards exist?

[Crod541]

Hey folks, so I've got plenty of hardware in one area of my place and I'd like to have as many wired connections as possible. So a simple switch is all I would need, no? I'm wondering if there's any switches that I can just slot into a pcie slot to do what's necessary. I figured that would be much nicer than hiding it in the rat's nest or a 5.25" bay. Was hoping perhaps someone knew if there was a special name for these as my google-fu ain't coming up with anything.

 

Thanks!

[Lurick]

Anything you slot into a PCIe slot would require the computer to be on 24/7 and any interruption would bring down other devices as well. You also would have to make changes to Windows and do other stuff and in all honesty buying a 5 or 8 port gigabit switch is going to make things much easier and simpler.

[Electronics Wizardy]

You can configure the computer to work as a switch in software, but normally just get a external switch.

[Crod541]

2 minutes ago, Lurick said:

Anything you slot into a PCIe slot would require the computer to be on 24/7 and any interruption would bring down other devices as well.

I left the main post pretty vague, but I'll actually only be running plex/F@H server which should be on 24/7 and a gaming computer. Would like to put switch into the server and run a line into gaming rig, as I'd definitely expect the server to be on at any time I'm also gaming.

 

4 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

You can configure the computer to work as a switch in software, but normally just get a external switch.

Would that require a motherboard with two (or more) ethernet ports like this x570 one? Or would you know if that "intel gigbit LAN" port is something else? Could I configure a port that's added via an expansion card (example) to do that?

[Electronics Wizardy]

Just now, Crod541 said:

Would that require a motherboard with two (or more) ethernet ports like this x570 one? Or would you know if that "intel gigbit LAN" port is something else? Could I configure a port that's added via an expansion card (example) to do that?

Any system with 2 ethernet nics or more can be made into a switch. On linux, just configure a bridge and add the ports and your good.

[Crod541]

2 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

... On linux, just configure a bridge and add the ports and your good.

I'm assuming something similar can be done in Windows 10 for this switch functionality?

 

Thanks fellas! Looks like from here I'll just follow some step-by-steps to learn how to use the "Network Bridge" functionality. Hopefully it works with a cheapo network adapter.

[Electronics Wizardy]

1 minute ago, Crod541 said:

I'm assuming something similar can be done in Windows 10 for this switch functionality?

 

Thanks fellas! Looks like from here I'll just follow some step-by-steps to learn how to use the "Network Bridge" functionality. Hopefully it works with a cheapo network adapter.

You can also do this in windows, but id really just get a network switch, there so cheap. Any nic should work. 

[Crod541]

I'm thinking there's a very good chance I still do that anyway, but's it's certainly nice to know it's possible to configure an extra port to do what I want. Plus, the switch would let me add more things once I inevitably decide to change how I have things configured. Here's hoping I can hide the switch somewhere in the case! 

[Blue4130]

Intel makes 4 port Pci-e network cards. You could add one or two but really, it would be cheaper and easier to just get a small external switch. 

[Slayerking92]

https://www.amazon.com/SEDNA-PCI-Port-Ethernet-Switch/dp/B00G5GM07O