Noob needs help, first cable modem setup.

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trihuynh1995

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Oct 13, 2012
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Hello Tomshardware,
I used to share wifi with my landlord which lives downstair. But the signal is too weak, I always got disconnect. Now I want to set up my own cable internet, but in my room ( i share the apartment with a group of people and my room is the only place where I can mount the modem) there is no coaxial wall outlet. So, i wonder if I call the internet company would they still be able install one. How hard is it to install a coaxial wall outlet, I still have no idea how they run cable through the wall. If one end of the coaxial cable is in my room where would the other end be?
This is a dump question but I really need help!

 
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USAFRet


Coax is seemingly no problem. I've had 2 different installers from two different companies run coax on the outside. And that survived through...
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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You'll have to discuss with the cable company and your landlord (he owns the building).

Running coax or Cat5 through the walls is definitely doable, but it is a non-trivial task that involves a lot of cutting holes and drilling.

And on top of that, you have to actually design the network. It's not as simple as just adding another cable modem.
 
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trihuynh1995

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Thank you for reply.
So the internet company wouldn't be able to run coax cable, but i need to call the cable company for that? And how much do you think they would charge for such task?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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1. Where are you, and who is the ISP?
2. Don't focus on "run coax cable". Coax to your room might not be the answer. Focus on "getting wired internet to your room". Might be Cat5 from the landlords router, or coax and a whole other modem and account.
3. Running coax or Cat5 does not have to be 'inside the wall'. I've seen installation where the cable is outside the house, and then a small hole straight through into the room.
4. How much $$$ ? That all depends on the complexity of the task, and where you are.

All of the above depends greatly on the landlord and his approval.

In general, for a residential install - 1 account, 1 cable modem, 1 wire coming in from the street. Currently, that is the landlords account. Adding another cable modem may involve a whole other account, which will be out of your pocket.
Again...discussion with landlord and ISP for this.
 
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allennnn

allennnn

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The cheapest way will be cat5e either ran to outside up the wall and back in or even just to a corner and up through the ceiling and floor both the landlord should easily be able to do if he has a drill, or get a handyman to do it.
 
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tougas

tougas

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To stay within code, which means not running exposed cat5 outside of your building, I would recommend installing a modem and router within your apartment and then running a hardwire connection to your room. If you are intent on having the modem in your room you would need to discuss with your landlord in order to get a cable drop put into your room. They would probably just splice it off of the existing one anyway.
 
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allennnn

allennnn

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Out of interest, not being American why is there a code saying you can't safety, looks? does the same apply to coax? anyway to make it in code like metal capping?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Coax is seemingly no problem. I've had 2 different installers from two different companies run coax on the outside. And that survived through multiple home inspections, etc.
Not sure about Cat5, though. I can't see it being much different, if you get outdoor rated cable.

I could be entirely wrong, though.
 
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tougas

tougas

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cat 5 is not rated to be outside of a building unless shielded by conduit. Besides all it would take is one hungry squirrel and the internet is gone. or a worst case scenario an exposed external Ethernet cable is a great attack point for a malicious person. coax due to its thick jacket is a little bit more acceptable but it too should be shielded.
 
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tougas

tougas

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yes your right. The key is the rating of the cable. they do make outdoor rated Ethernet cable but I have never seen it sold under 1000 feet.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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150', $50
http://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Waterproof-Ethernet-Direct-Burial/dp/B001B6DM52

Amazon has multiple lengths, from 100' on up.
 
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allennnn

allennnn

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Some pvc trunking would fix that, or replace the cable when it starts to look bad, plenty of people do that.
 
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