How to add ports on router
With the increase in smart home and office devices, the number of router ports has often become the focus of user attention. Many users find that the original router ports cannot meet their needs, so how to increase router ports has become a hot topic. This article will introduce in detail several methods of adding router ports and provide relevant data for reference.
1. Why do you need to add router ports?

In modern homes and offices, the number of connected devices has increased significantly, such as smart TVs, computers, mobile phones, smart speakers, etc. If the router has insufficient ports, the device will not be able to connect directly, affecting the user experience. The following are statistics on router port demand in hot topics in the past 10 days:
| Demand scenario | Proportion |
|---|---|
| Home multi-device connectivity | 45% |
| small office extension | 30% |
| Game console dedicated port | 15% |
| Other needs | 10% |
2. Common methods to add router ports
1.Using switch expansion ports
A switch is the most common expansion port device that can expand one LAN port into multiple ones. The following is the comparison data of mainstream switches:
| Switch model | Number of ports | price range |
|---|---|---|
| TP-Link TL-SG105 | 5 | 100-150 yuan |
| Netgear GS308 | 8 | 200-250 yuan |
| Huawei S1700-8G | 8 | 300-400 yuan |
2.Upgrade your router
If the performance of the original router is low, you can consider replacing it with a multi-port router. The following are recommended recent popular multi-port routers:
| Router model | Number of LAN ports | Number of WAN ports |
|---|---|---|
| ASUS RT-AX88U | 8 | 1 |
| TP-Link Archer C4000 | 4 | 1 |
| Netgear Nighthawk X10 | 6 | 1 |
3.Using a USB to Ethernet Adapter
Some routers support expanding network ports through USB interfaces, but please pay attention to compatibility. The following is compatibility data for common adapters:
| Adapter model | Compatible router brands |
|---|---|
| UGREEN USB 3.0 to Ethernet | ASUS、TP-Link |
| TP-LinkUE300 | TP-Link、Netgear |
3. How to choose an expansion plan that suits you?
1.Choose according to the number of devices
If the number of ports you need to expand is small (1-4), a USB adapter may be more economical; if you need more ports, a switch is a better choice.
2.Consider network speed needs
For high-speed networks (such as Gigabit networks), it is recommended to choose a switch or router that supports Gigabit to avoid becoming a network bottleneck.
3.budget constraints
A switch typically costs less than replacing a router, making it suitable for those on a budget.
4. Precautions
1. After the port is expanded, all devices share the original bandwidth, which may affect network speed.
2. Some routers have limited compatibility with third-party expansion devices, please confirm before purchasing.
3. Wireless devices can also be connected via Wi-Fi, reducing reliance on wired ports.
Through the above methods, users can flexibly expand router ports to meet networking needs in different scenarios. When choosing a plan, it is recommended to consider factors such as the number of devices, network speed, and budget to achieve the best experience.
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