Network cable or move the phoneline...

[Lowe]

Right - I've just moved house, and at the moment I'm awaiting my broadband to be enabled on the new phone line. Whilst I'm waiting for all this to go through though, I've got a bit of a problem...

My network consists of a wireless router (for roaming laptop use) which the phone line is plugged into. At the old place the main rig, was right next to the phone socket meaning I had a nice short ethernet cable plugging the main rig into the router, which sat next to the phone line. At the new place, the phone socket is in the front room, and the PC is in the upstairs spare room at the back of the house.

Now, since the main rig is used for audio and gaming, I'd rather not have to go wireless. So you can see the problem - do I leave the router downstairs next to the phoneline and run a long ethernet cable to the computer, or get another phone connection put in the spare bedroom and sling the router in there?

[Zak33]

Add to the phone line chap. Definately best, long term.

Phone around electrical installers and find one who does phone cabling. Or do it yaself.

But you'll want to use a modem one day, in an mergency, and you wont be able too if its just RJ45 to the PC.

Ditto for a phone.

[Splash]

I would say the opposite - stick with the router at your master socket and CAT5E from there to your machine. Your ADSL connection will thank you for it.

[nichomach]

I'd actually say that physical networking to the existing ADSL presentation point would be a good plan, but in these circs I'd actually be inclined to give one of the devolo-style network over power setups a go.

[Lowe]

See this is it - I can see pros and cons for both.

Like Zak points out, another phone point would be useful in an emergency but to be honest when I think about it, I don't have a modem and the phone line is there purely for the internet. Ping times are hugely important to me so anything that might comprimise the ADSL is a concern.

How long an ethernet cable can I run before I get problems?

[kalniel]

What speed are you running on the cable? If it's 100mbps and cat5 you can run a huge length without problem - I've had 20m on a home patched cable without any loss in ping.

1000mbps and cat 5.. then maybe less than 10m, dunno really. Probably wouldn't affect the ping but not sure you'd get full 1000mbps. Cat 6 and you're back to huge lengths again.

[cotswoldcs]

Cat 5E is good for 100m without any issues.

However, if it were me I'd consider a phone socket upstairs - I don't think an extension would hinder performance at all. Phone cabling is much smaller and more flexible, allowing a much neater job. You will definately notice ethernet cable going upstairs.

[dave87]

As Cotswoldcs said, Cat5e (or cat6 if you are going GigE) will run for 100m without any issues. If its longer than that, a strategically placed switch will work well

[Splash]

Alternatively put in both - run Cat5e and a phone extension through the walls and present in a nice neat double socket by the PC upstairs - you might as well if you're drilling...

[Agent]

100m "officially" for Cat5e, but you'll get a lot more out of it than that.

Lowe : Ive got entire rolls of Cat5e here, with network sockets, the proper tools to rig it all up. If you want me to come around and network it all up for you, not a problem.
You'll have to do the drilling though

[cliky]

My experience is wireless works better from downstairs and cat 5 is reliable so cat 5 to main comp and leave router downstairs!!

you could also use the spair wires from your Cat 5 run to add telephone upstairs too!!

[tfboy]

you could also use the spair wires from your Cat 5 run to add telephone upstairs too!!

True, but if you're puting one cable in, might as well put two. If you ever want to go gigabit ethernet, you'll need all 4 pairs in the cable anyway.

I'm rewiring my home with some left over Alcatel Cat6e FTP cable. It's a brute (thick, solid cores) but is the best cable I've ever used although considering the shortish runs (20m), the benefits of using it are probably negated once I add the patch panel and keystone jacks in

[Lowe]

100m "officially" for Cat5e, but you'll get a lot more out of it than that.

Lowe : Ive got entire rolls of Cat5e here, with network sockets, the proper tools to rig it all up. If you want me to come around and network it all up for you, not a problem.
You'll have to do the drilling though

I'll most likely take you up on that offer. I'll get the father in law to drill though lol!

[Lowe]

Well, I took Ade up on his offer.

Didn't I Monsieur Agent?

[Agent]

Maybe.....