6 devices you can connect to your Ethernet port

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Ethernet has been around since the 1970s, and the familiar RJ45 connector we see today was first used by Cat4 Ethernet cables in 1993 (though it had been used for other purposes since the 1980s). You might be using Ethernet on your computer right now to read this article. On the other hand, if you use a wireless network, you might be considering switching to Ethernet for faster speeds and reliability.




More importantly, and this is it: a router isn't the only thing you can connect to your PC's Ethernet port. You can connect many different types of devices to your computer via Ethernet. Not all of them will be relevant to your use case, but it's fun to explore the possibilities.

6 Routers, modems and switches

Your home router is usually a 3-in-1 device

The most common device connected to a computer's Ethernet port is the home router. And while a router isn't the only popular networking device connected to home computers—modems and switches are the other two—your router is most likely a combination router, modem, and switch. It receives the Internet connection from your ISP, distributes it to your devices, and also allows them to communicate with each other.


You may be unsure whether to use a Cat5, Cat6, or Cat7 cable to connect your PC to your router, but Cat5e is best for most connections. The best Ethernet cables provide a solid, reliable, and cost-effective connection for your Gigabit home network.

5 Printer

Not every printer is wireless

Canon MP 250 printer in the corner with printed pages in the tray

If you have an old printer that still works but doesn't support Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, Ethernet is one of the few ways to connect it to your PC. You'll need to configure a few settings to add the printer to your Windows PC, but Windows will do most of the work. Once connected, you can print a test page to verify the connection.


Buying a new printer and getting rid of the old one isn't always an option. Maybe you spent a lot of money on your old printer and want it to last a few more years, or maybe it's serving your needs just fine and you don't see any reason to spend money on a new one. Or maybe you have an older printer and can use that instead of buying a new one. In such cases, a reliable Ethernet connection comes in handy when adding your printer to the home network.

4 NAS devices

If you want a direct connection

Using routers and switches between your PC and your NAS device is common, but what if you don't want to deal with it for security or performance reasons? You can connect your NAS directly to your PC with a simple Ethernet cable by configuring static IPs for PC and NAS and configuring the connection.


This works great if your setup only includes your computer and your NAS, but if you want all of your devices to be able to communicate with your NAS device, you may want to consider a switch or router.

3 IP cameras

Improved security at home

Surveillance camera with wireless antenna on a light brown wall

While you can always use traditional CCTV cameras as part of your home surveillance system, network-based cameras offer several advantages, such as remote access and better performance. Most surveillance systems have IP cameras connected to the router or switch, but it is possible to connect a camera directly to your PC using a reliable Ethernet cable.


All you need to do is configure the IP settings for the camera and your PC and add the camera to the security software you use on your PC. This type of direct connection can work for a secondary computer used as a dedicated security device and placed near the camera you are using.

2 Consoles

Share your PC's Internet connection

Xbox Series X vs Sony PS5

If for some reason you can't connect your console to your home router to get an internet connection, you can connect it to your PC instead. This configuration will only work if your PC is connected to the internet (presumably to the home router) and has two network adapters. The extra adapter and the Ethernet port will be used to connect to the console.


This allows you to get your console online without having to run a cable all the way to your router. You can put the console next to your PC, connect the two devices together via Ethernet, configure the network sharing settings in Windows, and you're done. While this is an unusual method of connecting your console to the Internet, it can be useful in a setup where the PC monitor doubles as the console's display and a switch or router is far away or unavailable.

1 Other computers

Direct PC-to-PC connection

Ayaneo Mini Retro PC with Ethernet ports, USB ports, DisplayPort, HDMI and power connector

Typically, various computers and devices in your home are connected to the network through a router, either via an Ethernet cable or wirelessly. However, you can also connect two computers directly using an Ethernet cable if you want a fast connection for transferring large amounts of data between them. This type of direct connection used to require an Ethernet crossover cable (unlike regular cables), but as long as you have a modern Gigabit network adapter on both computers, a regular Ethernet cable will do just fine.


Newer network adapters support Auto-MDIX, which automatically detects the type of Ethernet cable you're using and adjusts the connection accordingly to resolve any connectivity issues. This feature lets you use a spare Ethernet cable at home to connect your PC directly to your laptop, without the need for special crossover cables.

Know your Ethernet

Your computer's Ethernet port allows you to connect not only to your home router, but also to switches, printers, NAS devices, consoles, and other computers. You probably won't often find yourself in a situation where you need but knowing the possibilities can help you overcome potential obstacles in the future.

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