1. I need to run Cat 5 wire to a computer in my office approx 300 feet away from the router in my house. Much of this distance is outside, exposed to the sun. I was told I need to use Type Cat 5E Plenum as this stands up to the sun. Is this correct? It is easy to find Cat 5 wire that is not the Plenum type, but no one seems to have the Plenum readily available.

2. I was going to run the wire suspended from an existing suspension cable that already has a 120 volt wire, a phone line and a cable TV line hanging from it. One person told me this would be ok. Another told me that the other wires might interfere with the computer signal. Anyone know about this for sure?

Thanks!

 

I don't know about the Cat5 Plenum, but since DSL is run through phone lines, and cable broadband goes through your cable TV, I don't see how that would hurt anything. The 120 volt I don't know...

 

Is there anyway to get the router closer? you will expierience alot fo lag between you computers. the longer the distance from the cable outlet to the comp the more lag, the distance between router and computer doubles the lag.

Just a suggestion, but we play nothing but games on the home comps, high demand games, using one connection

 

I run just regualar CAT5 and I don't have a problem.

I've seen people do that kind of setup before and there have been no problems with interferance of any kind.

 

I was told that the distance does not make any difference until you get to around 300 feet. Then at some point it just stops working. You then need to put in a relay to get it past 300 feet or so. Was told that when it reaches the distance limit it just won't work. Just is either on or off. No difference in performance until it cuts out.

Don't know if this is correct or not.

 

Another thing to check into is a wireless router and connection. I have been thinking about doing this at my home instead of having a CAT5 plug in every room. I wanted it so I could sit on the back deck with my laptop and work from there. I haven't looked into the distance the signal will carry though...

Might be an idea?!?!?!

 

I did a quick search and found that the Netgear wireless router has a range of 500ft indoors and 1500ft outdoors. They also make repeaters if you need more range. I think the next network I install will be wireless.

 

300 ft should not be a problem. But check into the wireless you should hve no problem with 300 ft if you have line of site for the unit.

 

cat 5 is twisted pairs, so it should reject most if not all RF induction including your 120v line. there is a max distance you can run it without a repeater/amplifier, but i am not sure what that distace is for sure...

 

Hey thanks to all who are responding here. I have also been talking with other people about this and it seems like adding a second computer or a mobile laptop to their broadband service is something a lot of people want to do. Eventually this thread may help many people on this board when they want to do it.

The wireless idea is something I am considering now. By the time you buy enough cable (especially the plenum that can be run outside), a wired connection may be more expensive than wireless.

I am just starting to investigate how the wireless works. I think you need a special wireless ethernet card with an antenna in each computer. Then you need a wireless router to send the signal. I need to find out just how well the signal will go through walls and roofs etc. My application will be from our home, outside about 250 feet to my office in our "barn".

One other thing I was told by Charter, our isp is that a router will change the ip address. Charter provides customers with two ip addressess. A router apparently changes the number of the address so there may be issues there. Charter says it can be worked out, but they don't help with anything other than getting the signal to your stand alone cable modem. If you have a router, anything that happens after that point in the system is your responsibilty. I don't understand the technicals of the ip address issue at all, so if anyone can explain it, that would be great!

Anyone else who wants to add their experience, ideas and suggestions here, will be very appreciatied.

Thanks

 

Routers do nto change anyhting, the company will not even know you have a router in there. I believe they are jerking your chain trying to get more money, lie ours tried, we called the bluff, got arouter instead of a second IP adress and now play with mult comps online together. A router just sends the signals of two computers through one connection. Granted, having 2 IP adresses will run a bit faster, is it worth the 30-50 bucks a month? Now then, some comapanies will give you a second IP adress for free, and a reduction on the cost of another one if you want 3. Our comapny sucks and watns money for te second adress, the company across the county line will give that sencond line for free.

 

There are many types of wireless routers, I happen to have a Belkin setup It was the best deal at the time.

The router has 4 ports ($79), ethernet, usb and an input for the Cable/DSL (Free from Bellsouth).

DSL modem plugs into the router and the Desktop PC is hardwired to the router (CAT5), I have two laptops that have the belkin wireless PCMCIA card ($39).

Thats it. Very easy to install.

IM sitting in my Lasyboy typing this.

You can not go wrong with the wireless setup. You will love it.

 

Agreed I am using wireless now and I love it. If your going to run parrallel with any high voltage(120 and up) you need to use shielded cable. That should also handle your u.v. problems but I would dig a trench and put it in the ground in pvc.

 

cwb and 02PSD - are there any security problems you know of with running wireless?

 

Fortunately the below is not an issue for us as the second ip address is free.