Yes, Ethernet couplers are ideal given how simple they are to use and that they only cost a few dollars to buy, but they aren’t the best solution out there. To remove the cables from the coupler, hold down the tab at the end of the cable whilst pulling it out. Once this has been done on both lengths of cable and you have a decent amount of wire to work with, you will need to twist both sets of inner wires together so it looks as if it is a single length. Joining Ethernet cable with an RJ45 is likely to affect the signal that passes across both lengths of cable, so I see using them as being ideal for a temporary workaround, but not a permanent solution. Twist the Wires Together Unmanaged switches are plug and play devices, so all you need to do is provide it with power and it will start working straight away.

One of the better, longer-term solutions to join Ethernet cables together is to indirectly join them by placing a network switch in between them. I see this as one of those cases where it is just easier and less stressful to buy the solution rather than go through the hassle of trying to join two lengths of cable and it still not work out quite as you would like. Use a Network Switch Given that the switch will undoubtedly need AC power, you need to consider where it is going to be placed in relation to a power outlet. I consider this option to be suitable to get you out of a pinch whilst you organise a more permanent solution. Something to note with using a coupler is that both ends of the Ethernet cables must already be terminated.This method will mean that your make-shift length of Ethernet cable is likely to last a little longer, but I wouldn’t recommend attempting this unless you really know what you are doing. Any cable that you don’t use remains coiled up within the box, so it can be easily stored away and only bought out again when you need to create a new length of cable. Finally, the connector and the wire going into it are fed into the crimping tool, which you squeeze together until you hear the connector has been crimped. If this isn’t possible, or you don’t want to have to terminate your own Ethernet cable, the next best options would be to place a network switch or an RJ45 coupler in between both lengths of cable. If you only have two shorter lengths of cable and need the one length that is just a bit longer, why not just buy one?

There is a wide variety of network switches out there with some costing many hundreds of dollars to buy, but for the purpose of joining Ethernet cables, a simple, inexpensive Ethernet switch will do the job just perfectly. The switch is probably the best route to take, but you will be limited to where you can place it in relation to an available power outlet, whereas you will more than likely experience some degradation of the signal if using a coupler.Repeat this process with the one length of cable and you’ll find the coupler sits in between both lengths. Another budget way of joining Ethernet cables together is by stripping the wire and twisting the inner wires together.