Smart hub 2 green phone port

[WoodyB]

I am the proud owner of a new smart hub 2 and everything is working well. I am considering getting a Hive to control my central heating. The Hive hub needs to be connected to the router, but I have already used all three ethernet ports.

I am wondering if I can connect the Hive hub to the green phone port in the router, using an ADSL filter - similar to what I previously used to connect my old BT home hub to the BT phone line coming into the house.

Effectively, can the green phone port be converted into an  additional ethernet port just by using an ADSL filter?

[Keith_Beddoe]

@WoodyB 

No, that port is to plug in a phone when you are on BT Digital voice.

You just need a Ethernet switch connected to one LAN port on the home hub. You will then have four extra ports.

Like the  TP-Link TL-SG105S 

[imjolly]

no

just by a cheap ethernet switch - tplink probably about £10 giving you extra ports 

[West]

A switch is the best way forward but get an 8 port version for future proofing.

[WoodyB]

Thank you

[WoodyB]

Thank you Keith. Don't know if I'm being stupid, but could I help save the planet by re-using my old BT Home Hub as a switch? So ethernet cable from new Hub 2 to old Home Hub, then use the outlets from the old Home Hub?

[licquorice]

Yes, you can do that.

Just give the second hub an IP address outside of the DHCP range of the first hub (say 192.168.1.10) and turn off the DHCP server on the second hub. Then connect hubs together LAN port to LAN port.

[rbz5416]

Although saving the planet is questionable given that the HH4 could use up to 3x the electricity of a simple switch. You'll also have the annoying lights constantly flashing as it tries to make a connection to the Internet. On the plus side, it could improve your WiFi coverage if you locate it away from the SH2 with a long cable.