Running long ethernet cable for wired internet. 70m!

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robodelfy

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Hi

I am considering running a long ethernet cable about 70m from the wireless router in the house to my laptop in another building. I just have a few questions....

Do I need to get a special cable, or will any cat5 ethernet cable be fine for this? There are so many really cheap ones, will these be ok, or should I spend a bit more?

Also, is there a way to then to create Wifi from the place I have run the cable to? Sorry if that sounds a bit silly. Is there something i can plug the ethernet cable into that will then send the wifi signal around my room, so its not only my laptop that can use it?

Thanks
 
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kanewolf

kanewolf

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Building to building cable would need to be outdoor rated to survive the UV exposure, etc. CHEAP ethernet cable is bad, usually. It is often CCA (copper clad aluminum) which is garbage.

Are you planning on burying or running overhead? If burying, then run it in conduit. That way you can always replace or add to it.
 
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DeauteratedDog

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Distance: Spec for Ethernet over twisted-pair (Cat 5, etc) is 100m, so 70m shouldn't be a problem.

Cable Type: Cat 5 or better for 100 Mbps, Cat 5e or better for 1000 Mbps, Cat 6a for 10 Gbps. There are special cables for outdoor aerial or direct burial applications which are UV and/or moisture resistant.

Wi-Fi: It depends on what is at the other end of the cable, but a wi-fi router or wi-fi router configured as an access point will provide wireless service.
 
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hang-the-9

hang-the-9

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You'd want to use Cat5e, Cat 5 is OK but is an older standard.

Any cable is fine Edit.. actually to run to another building you'd want to use a conduit and a higher quality cable not just any cable. To extend wireless signal, you would use an access point to attach to that ethernet cable. The correct way would be to run the cable, then terminate that into a wall jack, connect a switch like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=12K-008X-00026&cm_re=Netgrear_switch-_-12K-008X-00026-_-Product to that jack, and hook up the Access Point to the switch. That way you also have several other Ethernet ports on the switch as needed. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833156232
 
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robodelfy

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Thanks.... So I should get a decent outdoor cable. It would be run overhead as its all concrete below. I really need to get to about 4 different buildings all with thick stone walls. Would it be possible to use the 4 thernet ports on the back of the router, run 4 cables to the buildings and then put access points on each? We just used an outdoor TP link access point to try and reach everywhere, but it was completely unstable no matter what we tried.

Or can you run a cable from the router to one of the barns, plug it into the access point to get wifi in that room, then come out of that access point and do the same thing again to the other barns. Possible 3 times if that makes sense?

Should using an access point be completely stable?

Thanks so much for the help
 
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Slumy__57

Slumy__57

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I am on board with all of these suggestions, but I would recommend going with Cat6 over Cat5e. If you are running the cable near others, there is a chance you will run into crosstalk, and Cat6 has much better protection against this. It is the same kind of cable as Cat5e, uses the same connectors and has the same layout in terms of wiring, but it supports faster network speeds, can be run for slightly longer distances, and it reduces the chances of interference from other wires.

In terms of your layout options, you could run one cable from your existing router into a switch in one of the buildings you need to provide internet for. You could then terminate that end with a switch and/or wireless access point. Then you could daisy chain off of that switch, and run a cable to your next building and set up the same thing there, and repeat the process for the last two buildings.
 
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kanewolf

kanewolf

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Direct burial ethernet cable is the most durable. It is more expensive, but should survive longest. A POE (power over ethernet) switch in the main building would allow you to not have to have power adapters in the remote buildings for your access points. Since I saw the word "barn" in your response I would recommend using outdoor access points in the buildings. The term barn to me don't imply too much environmental control. Something like this -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833168118 In each barn with POE from your central location would be my recommendation.
 
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robodelfy

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Thanks for all the info guys, I feel like im getting closer to understanding it all! As I said I will have to run it in the air, so should get a decent outdoor cable. Is Cat6 really necessary over cat5e for these distances, can anyone else comment?

So I've just measured. The first barn I would need an access point is about 25m from the router, measuring the route the cable would take. The second barn is about 40m from the router. What would be the easiest and most convenient/cheapest way to get those buildings internet. If I just used star topology....so running two seperate cat5e or cat6 cables to the two barns, then all I would need would be two access points in those places, correct?

The barns are fully converted, so they are basically houses and well protected and finished. They have power so thats no problem for powering the access points!

What would be the cheapest way of creating these indoor access points in each barn then? Would I still need to spend money on Ubiquiti or not? Can I use any wireless router for an access point? Is it complicated to set up or is any determined person capable!?

Im a little dubious after this last TP link outdoor access point we had, as it was completely unstable. Any links to access points that would be right for the job in the UK would be great :)

Thanks again
 
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DeauteratedDog

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You mentioned that you were going to be running this cable overhead. If it is going to be self-supporting (not strapped to another wire/cable) then you should get a cable with an integrated 'messenger wire' which is a strong steel wire that takes the load of supporting the cable.
 
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robodelfy

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The cable only needs to span about 5 metres in the air, and the rest will run under the eaves of the house, so actually most of it will not see sunlight or rain!

Any answers to the questions in my previous post greatly appreciated
 
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