Wired Network Help!

[Da-Rock]

I have a wired network currently running with three computers through a U.S. Robotics Router.

I have Cablemodem access through comcast. The cat5 cables are currently running through the house from my back sun room into the kids bedrooms. I want to run them outside and then into my sons room. The attic is a nightmare, (2' access down to 6" access near walls.)

I have two 100' cat5 cables, but my daughter's room is too far. I have an enclosed wood access box outside of my son's room that houses some Solar panel electronics. It has an outlet and it can hopfully seal the insides off from moisture.

What I was thinking of doing is running the cat5 cable from the sunroom out and around to the wood access box. From there I wanted to set a Trendware 10/100 8 port Fast Ethernet Switch. I could then have the cat5 from both my sons and daughters computer go through the wall and into the Switch.

If I understand the Switch, it should help boost the data transmission over the 100' cat5 cable and allow me to cover the extra distance to my daughters room.

Do you think that the 8 Port Switch can handle being outside in an enclosed wood box?

Does the Switch only need one cat5 cable coming from the main router? Or do I need two cables coming into the Switch and then two going to the other computers from there?

[Bill in SD, CA]

Welcome to TechIMO!!

I sincerely know this doesn't answer your question but have you thought about going wireless?

Much easier for you.

IMO

Bill

[Scott Tiger]

If he's worried about distance and signal strength with Cat5 I bet wireless is out of off the question.

That said, how far are the computers going to be apart from each other.

[Bill in SD, CA]

Point taken Scott Tiger.

Bill

[DVNT1]

If I understand the Switch, it should help boost the data transmission over the 100' cat5 cable and allow me to cover the extra distance to my daughters room

CAT5 can go 100 meters (about 328')

Do you think that the 8 Port Switch can handle being outside in an enclosed wood box?

not really (moisture), but I never tried it

Does the Switch only need one cat5 cable coming from the main router?

yes

[Da-Rock]

The two computers in my kids rooms are about 10 to 20 feet away from each other. My computer is in the sun room about 60 to 70 feet away.

The connection seems to work fine with running the cat5 through the middle of the house. If I don't use a switch would a hub work? Which is a better?

The switch would be inside a wall mounted wood box with a door and I would cover it with plastic as an added measure. (Just not sure if that is still a good idea.)

The reason for not going wireless was cost and interference. I get a lot of interference on my 2.4ghz wireless phones, (go through 2 to 3 phones a year). I think I have a lot of electromagnetic interference in the walls.

[DVNT1]

I don't use a switch would a hub work? Which is a better?

yes; a switch is normally better

[meese]

I house a Linksys WAP11 outside in NEMA 4 fiber glass enclosure. The only thing you need to worry about is getting too cold. I bought a thermostat and installed a 15 watt light bulb in the enclosure. This keeps the box at 75 degrees F in the winter and also keeps it dry. This has been working for 18 months now without any problems.

[StealthyV]

cool, meese!

I'd personally try every method possible with the equipment you have now...you can run the cords under carpet, etc...but at some point it'll be time to reconsider wired vs. wireless.

I live at home (for now, till I get a job) and I have two puters I'd like to network. the only open phone plug is in our basement, and my bedroom is on the 2nd floor. I've given up trying to route the cables upstairs (my dad tripped on one) and I can't afford wireless now. so I'm here in my basement with my two networked puters on the same table, using a KVM switch.
I know this doesn't help you much, and I"m sorry, but I would like to reiterate this point: if wired causes you much consternation, try going wireless to a switch in one of the childrens' bedrooms, and run a cord across the hall to the other...so you're not left with a pile of unused stuff. you could always use wireless from your sunroom to the switch in the bedroom part of the house, and have it wired there. minimize your interference.

~Branson
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