Cable Modem -> Hub -> 3 computer connections problems....

Hi if this has been discussed sorry for being lazy...

current situation:
I have Shaw cable modem, DHCP, so dynamic IP given out from modem.

cable modem pluged into uplink port on a 5 port hub.

computer 1 running win2000 has about ~30feet cat5 cable. works fine

computer 2 running win2000 has about ~90feet of cat5 cable. doesnt work. says cable is connected but no data is received.


So i figured i needed a repeater or something that boosted the signal. i got D-Link DSS-5+ 5port Switch. Since switches all amplify signals. http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=69

Now with this switch replacing the previous hub:

computer 1 running win2000 (~30feet) it flicks back and forth between network socket connected/unpluged every 2 sec.

computer 2 running win2000 (~90feet) it says network socket unpluged.

so this is even worse.



If anyone can help me on this situation... i.e where can i get a repeater that boosts signal? and how do you connect network that has about ~200feet distance? if you use routers, it messes up the ip addresses for games and stuff.. so i would like to get individual ip for each computer from the ISP.

thanks for you input..

If you want multiple IP's (and you need multiple IP's without a router) you'll have to order that from your ISP.

multiple IPs are there.. the problem is the cable length.

my concern is the network cable wire length... 90feet and the signal is lost.

i have tried a hub, and switch and both did not reach 90feet. so i am wondering how other people are connecting themselves. (ie. if you are on the top floor in the house, then you have to have a wire coming from 3 floors below thats about 100feet long distance... what do you guys use??)

from this site
http://www.cat-5-cable-company.com/faq-maximum-length-cat-5-cable.html
the maximum length is 328 feet

I think thats why others changed to wireless network.

but have you tried to switch cable between the computers, if it is possible

i have checked the cable wiring and connectivity with a cable tester. the only thing is that the long cable is already built inside the wall so i can't change that one.

328 feet is a theoretical value i think. just like the 56k modems... they never connected at 56k.

300' is more than a theoretical number

then why is it not working??

top floor has modem -> switch -> socket to downstairs.

bottom floor, with the cable tester, all the wires show up with correct pin configuration. when i plug in a hub, or switch, or directly to the computer, it detects as the socket is unpluged...


and the distance 100' give or take 10.

First off 328 feet is not theorical but the actual measurable limit. After that it still works but the signal degrades.

You state you are going from a hub to a hub or switch. YOU HAVE TO USE A CROSSOVER CABLE NOT PATCH FOR THIS CONFIGURATION. Unless one of the devices has a uplink port which does the crossover for you. You would only use one uplink port not one on each device.

If you connect a pc to each end and get intermittent connection there are only two reasons 1. cabling 2. bad hub

When you say you have confirmed cabling with a tester did you also confirm the pin outs? See here

http://www.cabletron.com/support/techtips/tk0231-9.html

It is very important that the pairs are correct or you get unbalanced pairs and excess attenuation. See here

http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid7_gci211613,00.html

You should run your cable tester for crosstalk and attenuation.

But I suspect its your hub that is the problem. Might not be putting out the correct amount of signal.


PS 56K modems don't connect at 56k due to the FCC rules that say 54k is max. Don't ask me where they came up with that stupid rule. Let's remember that these are the same folks that approved 2.4ghz wireless routers and 2.4ghz wireless phones so a household with both can stomp on each other.

I am aware of cross over...

but you mentioning about the correct pairs at the correct pins and attenuation might be my problem. i wired connected the long wire (the ones inside the wall) ends without paying attention on which pair goes where. just made sure that the other end ended up same.

i guess i will rewire the ends and give them a try and hope it was attenuation that was my problem. because data is sent, but nothing is received, which shows alot of dB loss.