Using a modem cable as CAT5
 

Hello everybody! Can you help with this scenario?

I have wireless modem/router on the ground floor. Two floors up on the attic I have my office computer. The wireless connection isn't great so I bought a powerline kit but that didn't work because the attic is on a different power loop.

However the previous owners of the property had their modem/router in the attic (not something I want to do). To facilitate this they had run a modem cable (that's how I would describe it - RJ11 I'm guessing) from the ground floor to the attic.

Does anyone know if I could facilitate the use of this cable by putting a RJ11/RJ45 converter on either end to use it like CAT5?

Re: Using a modem cable as CAT5
 

By modem cable do you mean a telephone extension cable? That would have 3 pairs of wires. Ethernet has 4 pairs. Sometimes not all pairs are fully used. You might get away with it if you can work out which 2 pairs you'd need but you may find the transmission speed is poor as duplex snd such like would probably fall over.

If the wire is there can you not use it to pull through a better cable?

Re: Using a modem cable as CAT5
 

Thanks for your responses.

The cable isn't a telephone cable but the type that comes out of a broadband splitter and into the back of a modem (like a telephone plug only smaller).

The cable disappears into a wall in the living room and reappears in the attic. I am not convinced that I could tape a cat5 to it and pull it through with RJ45 being a bigger plug.

I know I could run CAT5 up here but I was trying to find an easier solution!

Re: Using a modem cable as CAT5
 

Modem cables tend to have one pair, not 3. You need 2 pairs for ethernet, with 4 being optimal, but you'd also want twisted pair not standard unshielded.

Your options are tape a cat5 cable to it and pull it through, without the plug attached (i.e. naked reel cable) then attach the plug, or use a wireless repeater.

Re: Using a modem cable as CAT5
 

Thanks for your help. Much appreciated.