TP-Link TL-SG105: Is Five Ports Enough for Your TV Setup?
A TV, console and computer leave one spare port on the TL-SG105 after the router uplink. Count the connection behind the TV before choosing a switch.
A TV, game console and computer fit on the TP-Link TL-SG105 with one port left over—even after connecting it to your router. The catch is the count: this is a five-port switch, not five device ports plus a separate router connection.
For a TV cabinet with one existing home-network connection and several Ethernet-equipped devices, that makes the TL-SG105 a straightforward way to add wired connections. The selection covered here is No PoE, 5 Port, 1 Gigabit, Navy Blue.
Give the router a place in the count
Start with five ports. Reserve one for the upstream connection to your existing router, leaving four for devices. In our example, the TV uses one, the console uses one and the computer uses one. The fifth port remains free.
Add a fourth wired device and all five ports are occupied, including the uplink. If your list already has five devices that must connect here, you need more ports. Count those devices before choosing the switch; the router connection cannot be left out of the budget.
Trace the connection behind the TV
The upstream cable can come from a LAN port on your home router or from a wall outlet that is already connected to that router. A wall jack by itself is not proof of a working network connection. Buying the switch will not make an unconnected jack live.
This is an extension of an existing home LAN, not a replacement for your router. The manufacturer's diagram is useful for that distinction: the router remains between the switch and the internet connection.
Plan for cables as well as sockets
Each device in this example needs suitable Ethernet connectivity and its own cable to the switch, plus the upstream cable. Check that the TV, console and computer you intend to connect actually support Ethernet.
The selected package lists the switch, power adapter and installation guide. Do not assume the Ethernet cables pictured are included. The selected option is No PoE; do not plan on it supplying power to attached devices through their network cables.
More connections, not a faster broadband plan
The TL-SG105 has five auto-negotiating 10/100/1000 Mbps ports. “Gigabit” describes the port rating, not a measured result for your home. The devices, cables and upstream connection affect actual speeds, and devices sharing that upstream connection are not each guaranteed its full rate at the same time.
For this TV-cabinet setup, the useful result is simple: three wired devices, one router connection and one spare port. This guide uses manufacturer specifications and supplier images, not hands-on speed testing.