My Daily Computer Luddite Question - Ethernet

[StalefishFS3]

So confused on how you guys set up things when you want a wired connection to your PC (instead of WiFi). It this can be done?

Looking at the Quad/Hawk/Uneekor, it seems the "best" connection is with an Ethernet Cable (probably now, CAT-6 or CAT-6a) directly from the launch monitor to the computer Ethernet port. But what if you want your PC to also be directly wired to the internet due to spotty WiFi? If your PC has only one Ethernet port, how does this work?

I understand the concept of an Ethernet switch, because I use them in my office and at home. But there, it seems you have the external Ethernet internet signal coming into the switch, and then you have the signal going into a computer and TV (or whatever other device needs Ethernet). In the above scenario, it seems the opposite because it would appear you need two different data sources via Ethernet cable (1 from LM, one from outside internet) to attach to the PC.

Am I making sense here, or would a switch still accomplish the same goal?

Or please tell me why I am such an idiot.

[3on3putt]

Connect the launch monitor to the computer using a USB, not an ethernet.

[Gotkimchi]

Depends on the device. Example, Uneekor system connects to the PC via ethernet so if your PC only has 1 ethernet port, Uneekor will connect to that port. Uneekor does include an USB ethernet adapter so that can connect to your LAN or WAN pending on your network at your home.

[StalefishFS3]

So the methods of connection are:

Uneekor/Quad/Hawk connects directly to the PC using the ethernet port. If you have a strong WiFi connection to connect to the PC, this is probably the best option?

But if you don't have a good WiFi connection, then hardwire the PC to the internet, and use an Ethernet/USB adapter to connect the ethernet wire from the LM to a USB port on PC?

And finally, unless your motherboard has two Ethernet ports, you cannot hardwire the LM (without any adapters) and hardwire the internet via a direct Ethernet cable to the PC?

[gojoholo]

The Uneekor has to be connected using the built in Ethernet port on the PC, not an adapter (it says this in big bold letters in the instructions, so I assume it's important). They supply a usb Ethernet adapter to connect your local network if you aren't using WiFi.

[s0707]

Home routers typically have a few ports in the back where you can connect a few devices, which makes the router act like a small switch for the internal network. If you've run out of ports in your home router, you can buy a small switch and connect it to the home router, thereby expanding the internal "switching" capability.

In other words, if you have at least two local network ports available in your home router:

PC --> router
Launch Monitor --> router

The Launch Monitor will communicate with your PC through the router, and your PC will get internet directly from the router.

If you don't have two ports available in your home router:

PC --> switch
Launch Monitor --> switch
switch --> router

Internet will get to your PC through the router and then the switch; the Launch Monitor will get to your PC through the switch.

A switch like this should work: https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-8-Por...8078905&sr=8-4

[StalefishFS3]

S0707,

That makes sense. However, your statement re: connection of the LM to the switch in your example conflicts with gojoholo who writes the Uneekor must be connected directly to the Ethernet port on the PC.

So lets just use this as an example so I am understanding: You have a house with three floors. The first floor is where your sim room is, with the LM and PC. You have the ability to run (through conduit) Ethernet wires from sim room to third floor.

On the third floor in a small room is where the cable and internet modem is. The signal comes from the outside into that room. Then the signal goes into a cable modem, and from the modem you connect your router via an Ethernet cable. From the router, you have connected via Ethernet the 8 port switch you linked in your post. What you are saying is that the Ethernet cables directly connecting both the LM and the PC from the first floor can be connected to the switch on the 3rd floor, and given that, the data being "pushed" from the LM will go through the switch/router and back to the PC?

[Gotkimchi]

It all depends on the launch monitor. I can only speak about Uneekor since that is what I have. You will need to connect the ethernet port from the Uneekor to your PC. If you want the PC to connect to the internet, you can leverage wifi or if you have a spare ethernet port on your PC, that can connect to the LAN (switch). That is why Uneekor provide you the USB ethernet adapter.