Running Longer Cables
 

Probably really simple question here guys.

Recently had NTL installed. Its currently run into the living room downstairs, with the boxes fitted to the wall and a short cable coming from the box to the modem. I've then got it hooked up to a router to a PC in the same room (working wirelessly to a computer upstairs).

However, we are soon to move the computer from downstairs to upstairs, with two PC's in same room. Now I have a few options as far as I can see:

1. Leave modem and router downstairs, connect wirelessly to the router from the two PC's. Only problem with that is the speeds seem to be drastically, like halved, over wireless. So not really an option as I want my 10mb not 5mb!

2. Relocate the modem and router upstairs next to the PC's, so would need to run a longer cable from the box to the modem. Hook both PC's up with RJ45 LAN cables.

OR

3. Leave modem downstairs, run longer RJ45 LAN cable from modem to router upstairs. Hook both PC's up with RJ45 cables.

With 1 ruled out due to the depreciation in speed, what I really need to know is which option is better out of 2 and 3? Which will give the best performance and speeds - running a longer coax cable or longer LAN cable?

Secondly, if 2, then what are the cable specifics that I would need?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Re: Running Longer Cables
 

A decent 54G wireless should able to handle 10Mb fine - although if you have any interference / channel contention it could be slowed down (try copying a large file from the wired PC to the wireless to see how fast it really is.

As for the other options, you 'aren't allowed' to touch the caox going into the router, so really you are only left with option 3, which with a Cat5 patch cable shouldn't cause any speed issues.

HTH

Re: Running Longer Cables
 

homeplug would be another option.

Re: Running Longer Cables
 

Thanks for the feedback guys. That homeplug looks ideal. Compact and clean. Thanks ;)

Re: Running Longer Cables
 

These guys will be able to supply kit if you chose option 2. ;)

Re: Running Longer Cables
 

Cheers Handyman ;) Definitely one of the cheaper options, I might just be swayed to run an extension :D

Re: Running Longer Cables
 

Problem with option 2 is it will affect the signal level going to the modem, this is balanced when the modem is installed initially, best option is option 3 - exent the RJ45 cable, this can be up to 100m without speed loss or signal level problems.

Re: Running Longer Cables
 

Ahh I see. Thanks for pointing that out. I certainly don't want to upset my connection, as its running nicely.

Re: Running Longer Cables
 

Technically it's a Cat5(e) cable, RJ45 is just the name of the connector on the end.

Re: Running Longer Cables
 

Technically it could also be cat 6 cable ;-)

Handyman - posting from the middle of the English channel - Free wireless intenet on ferries it's the future.

Re: Running Longer Cables
 

:notopic: Showoff :p:

But if you have to take tablets :sick: just to browse Cable Forum, I can't see it catching on :erm:

Re: Running Longer Cables
 

Most ive managed to pull though 54g is in the 22 - 28 mbit region so provided signal is good and clear it shouldn't be a problem.