Network cables

I need some help. I have two computers in different rooms that i want to network. What i have to do is run a cable through the roof and have a wall socket in each room. What i need to know is what type of cable i need to connect the computer to the wall socket, and what type of cable i would need to connect the two wall sockets togther?

also: i know that i need to use either CAT5 or CAT6 or something similar, i'm just not sure whether it has to be a crossover cable, UTP, solid core, etc. Stuff like that


Hope you understand what i am on about.

If you're connecting two computers directly together, you need to use a crossover cable. In your setup, you'll be using three different lengths of cable. You need to make sure that somewhere along these lengths, there is one crossover. It doesn't matter where you put this, as long as you put it somewhere. For example, you could use a crossover cable in the roof, and straight-thru cables from the wall sockets to the computers.

CAT5 cabling will do fine for a 100Mbps network. You only really need CAT6 if you want 1Gbps I think. You can use either stranded cable or solid core. This shouldn't make a difference really. Solid core is harder to bend round corners etc, but it doesn't really make a difference.

when you say straight through cables, is that the same as a patch cable?

another thing is that at the moment the two computers are in the same room and i have networked them just by using a crossover cable. this allows me to share a dial up internet connection. I was just wondering what would happen if i got broadband? how would that affect my networking situation?

straight through cables are the same as patch cables, yes.

The change from dial-up to broadband shouldn't make any differences to your network, apart from the fact that the Internet will be a lot quicker and always on

so i wont need a hub or anything?

so with broadband, the set up will be:
one computer has a broadband modem and a network card. from that computer there is a patch cable going from the network card to the wall socket. on the other side of that wall socket there is a crossover cable going through the roof to another wall socket. then from that wall socket, in the other room, there is a patch cable going from it to the network card in the other computer. and this will allow me to share a broadband connection, share files between the computers and also share a printer.

all that correct?

thanks for your help so far. much appreciated.

You won't need to buy a hub or switch as long as you only have two computers which you connect directly with a crossover cable. Personally, I'd recommend buying a switch, so that you can easily add more computers to the network at a later stage.

But, your description of the situation seemed correct to me.

ok, one last thing: do you know any good websites that have diagrams of the wiring? ...or is it simple enough for you to tell me? all i need to know is how to wire the cable to the wall socket.

the cable i am looking at getting for use in the roof is called Cat 5E Multistrand Core 4-pair 125MHz. Is that suitable?

Here you are: http://www.duxcw.com/digest/Howto/n...able/cable5.htm

Be careful that you check the correct diagram depending on which cable you're making.

That cable should be fine

Another good page.

http://www.linksys.com/faqs/default.asp?fqid=20

ok, thankyou very much for all your help.

WAIT!

Just a suggestion... Don't run crossover cables. If you're going to be running cable through the house anyway, you might want to simply consider running patch cable, not crossover all through the entire house. Run everything to a patch panel.

The main reason I say this is that since you're going to open up the house a bit anyway, you might as well go all the way. In addition, cat5e cables everywhere will increase the value of your house.

Chris

Oh, another thing. Before you wire anything, check your local building codes. I doubt it, but you MIGHT be required to use plenum cable. Since this is a house, I doubt it, but check anyway. Very important. You don't want to violate code.

Chris

i probably wont be puting in any more cables than just that one. but i might just put a patch cable in the roof if it will allow me to expand later, although i doubt i will. thanks for the tip.