G'day! You're in the home office, you've finally got the desk set up, but you're facing a classic Aussie reno problem. You've got one data point (RJ45 socket) in the wall, but you need to plug in two devices – say, your computer and your printer.

It's a bloody pain. So, you hop online or head down to the shops and find a cheap, $5 gadget called an RJ45 splitter. It's a little 'Y' shaped adapter. Too easy, right? You just plug it in and turn one socket into two.

Hold your horses, mate. Before you waste your money, you need to know that for 99% of modern internet setups, this little gadget is a fair dinkum trap.

The Big Con: Why That Cheap Splitter is a Dud

Here's the lowdown. A simple, passive RJ45 splitter (the 'Y' adapter) does not let two devices share one internet connection at the same time.

It's a con, basically. These splitters were designed for a very old, specific purpose. Old-school 10/100 Ethernet (the slow stuff) only used 4 of the 8 wires inside the cable. These splitters work by sending one set of 4 wires to one port and the other set of 4 to the second port. You'd need another splitter on the other end to join them back up. It was a proper mess.

Here's the problem: Your modern Aussie NBN and any decent network runs on Gigabit Ethernet, which needs all 8 wires to work.

If you plug a standard RJ45 splitter into your wall, you'll be lucky if one of your devices works (at a knackered, slow speed). Most likely, nothing will work at all. It's a dog's breakfast of a solution.

What You Actually Need: The Network Switch

Righto, so the splitter is a dud. What you're actually looking for isn't a splitter; it's a Network Switch.

Think of a network switch as a smart, high-tech power board, but for your internet. It's a small box that you plug into the power, and it does the job properly:

1. You run one Ethernet cable from your RJ45 socket on the wall into the "in" port on the switch.
2. Boom! The switch then gives you 4, 8, 16, or more live Ethernet ports.
3. You can then plug your computer, your printer, your smart TV, and your gaming console all into the switch, and every single one gets a full-speed, rock-solid, hardwired connection.

It's the real solution, and it's the only one a professional would ever use.

The CRITICAL Safety & Compliance Warning: DIY vs. Pro

This is where we get dead serious, mate.

• DIY: Buying a pre-made Ethernet cable (a 'patch lead') and a simple, desktop network switch from a retailer? Go for your life, mate. Too easy. That's a safe, low-voltage job.
• PRO ONLY: Want to install a new data point in your study? This involves running a data cable inside your walls, floor, or ceiling and terminating it at a wall plate.

In Australia, this is strictly not a DIY job. Any fixed data, communications, or telephone cabling must be installed by a licensed cabler (registered with ACMA).

Why? It's the law, mate. A dodgy data install (especially with cheap parts from a non-specialist supplier) can create interference (messing up your and your neighbour's NBN). Worse, if it's run too close to 240V power wiring without proper separation, it can become a serious electrical hazard. Don't be a galah.

A Professional Job Needs Professional Gear

A licensed cabler or licensed electrician knows that a rock-solid, high-speed network relies on high-quality, compliant components from end to end. They wouldn't be caught dead using a cheap RJ45 splitter on a pro job. They get their gear from a trusted electrical wholesaler.

As one of Australia's most comprehensive electrical wholesaler and supplier networks, Schnap Electric Products stocks the lot for the professional installer. They've got a massive range of high-quality, professional-grade data gear, including high-performance network switches, Cat6 data cable, wall jacks, and all the specialist crimping and testing tools that a qualified professional needs to do the job right. For a connection that won't let you down, the pros start with quality gear from a supplier like Schnap Electric.