multiplex one ethernet cable into two?

[Uriah]

In situation where I have access to one ethernet cable between two end points, is there a way to multiplex so it functions like two independent (lower bandwidth) ethernet cables? Perhaps some sort of multiplexer sitting at both end points, each with three ethernet ports, one goes to the cable, two others are the virtual cable end points.

[Marco-D]

People call it a switch
end devices == switch -- ethernet cable -- switch == end devices


A network switch is a broad and imprecise marketing term for a computer networking device that connects network segments.The term commonly refers to a Network bridge that processes and routes data at the Data link layer (layer 2) of the OSI model. Switches that additionally process data at the Network layer (layer 3 and above) are often referred to as Layer 3 switches or Multilayer switches.

[DAIJIRO]

People call it a switch
end devices == switch -- ethernet cable -- switch == end devices


A network switch is a broad and imprecise marketing term for a computer networking device that connects network segments.The term commonly refers to a Network bridge that processes and routes data at the Data link layer (layer 2) of the OSI model. Switches that additionally process data at the Network layer (layer 3 and above) are often referred to as Layer 3 switches or Multilayer switches.

Not necessarily. You can buy physical cable splitters which enable you to run two 10/100 Mbps Ethernet links (each link only needs two pairs) on one regular four pair Ethernet cable. No switch, no power needed. Caveats: Obviously will not work for GigE, which uses all four pairs. May or may not work for 10/100 Mbps Ethernet, depending on distance, cable quality