What cable between box and modem?

MacUser · 16-12-2005, 16:39

What type of cable is used between the NTL box on the wall and the broadband modem, please? I was wondering if it could be extended or replaced with a longer one.

Also, once you've "logged on" with the modem, does it stay connected 24/7 or do you get disconnected after a while?

SLM · 16-12-2005, 17:06

You can not extend the cable from the wall to the modem it is against your T&Cs, but you can get a longer cable between the modem and pc, you can get these from any computer shop, if you ask for a RJ45 or LAN cable, you can go up to 100M with this.
If you really need to move the modem ring ntl and ask for a relocation install, ntl have to do it as you change the signal level by extending the cable between the wall and modem.

MacUser · 16-12-2005, 17:15

OK, is it possible to disconnect the cable from the modem to pass it through a wall, then reconnect it. The installer left a fair length (apparently, but I haven't been there to see it yet).

Is it coax cable, telephone twisted pair or what?
Give me a clue, please. I have a 300 mile round trip to connect the computer so I'd like to take the right tools.

And on a related question, if I'm not allowed to touch the connection, does that mean I can't swap the ethernet modem for a router?

rdhw · 16-12-2005, 17:35

It is usually coax cable, 75 ohm impedance, of a very high grade, similar to that used for satellite downlinks, usually dual-screen. F-type connectors are crimped on to the cable.

---------- Post added at 16:35 ---------- Previous post was at 16:31 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacUser

if I'm not allowed to touch the connection, does that mean I can't swap the ethernet modem for a router?

You are allowed to use only the cable modem supplied by NTL. If you want a router, you purchase a router with an ethernet WAN port to connect to the ethernet port of the NTL cable modem. NTL cable broadband is not ADSL, and so combined ADSL modem-routers (of the type commonly available on the domestic market) do not work with NTL broadband.

**Chris** · 16-12-2005, 17:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdhw

It is usually coax cable, 75 ohm impedance, of a very high grade, similar to that used for satellite downlinks, usually dual-screen. F-type connectors are crimped on to the cable.

And you can buy all the kit you need at Maplins

In fact you should be able to buy Satellite-grade coax ready made up just about anywhere (even Dixons). Just make sure it has f-connectors on it.

The reason you're not meant to change the length of the cable, by the way, is that it affects the signal level to your modem, which can balls up your service if it drifts outside normal operating range and you can balls up the service for your neighbours if you use shoddy cable and introduce interference.

If you do it properly, don't alter the length of the cable by too much, and use proper quality equipment, you should be fine.

handyman · 16-12-2005, 17:39

This place sells the right gear at a reasonble price.

http://www.mediachannels.co.uk/usefullkits.htm
http://www.mediachannels.co.uk/cableandfittings.htm

Ramrod · 16-12-2005, 17:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris T

And you can buy all the kit you need at Maplins

Or at a big B&Q...........I was talked through the process by a ntl tech a couple of weeks ago and everything works fine......
Just make really sure that the shielding mesh inside the cable is not touching the f-connector or the core or you won't get any signal at all.....

rdhw · 16-12-2005, 17:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacUser

once you've "logged on" with the modem, does it stay connected 24/7 or do you get disconnected after a while?

Unlike ADSL, there is no process of pseudo-dialling up, or logging on, to cable broadband. No username or password is needed to obtain service. Service is available 24/7 via ethernet, for so long as the PC is powered up.

MacUser · 16-12-2005, 18:38

Thanks for all the info. I run an internet mail-order satellite TV business so I understand about cable. I'll take a selection of "F" connectors in case I accidentally knock the plug off while passing the cable through the wall.

I'll leave the length alone. If I can borrow the tool and connector I'll go the ethernet cable route instead. my problem is that I have to run a connection out through the living room wall, through the garage wall and into the back room. The NTL guy didn't want to do it because it was "awkward". Hmm, I wonder if Maplin stock the tool for fitting ethernet cable plugs. What are they called - HC45? Of course *I* stock the darn tool but my warehouse is 50 miles away in the opposite direction.

It's normal to leave Apple Macs on 24/7 so hopefully the IP address won't change for a long time!

jtwn · 16-12-2005, 18:44

ntl use RG-6 cable indoors afaik.

rdhw · 16-12-2005, 18:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacUser

ethernet cable plugs. What are they called - HC45?

RJ45, with the twisted pairs in UTP Cat 5 connected as follows:

Pins (1,2) orange pair
Pins (3,6) green pair
Pins (4,5) blue pair
Pins (7,8) brown pair

The colours are conventional, not critical, but the assignment of pins to pairs does matter for impedance matching. See http://www.incentre.net/incentre/frame/ethernet.html for the pictures.

MacUser · 16-12-2005, 20:26

Excellent, thanks. (HC45 is actually my hydrocortizone eczema cream - I get confused easily!)

craig5320 · 16-12-2005, 20:35

I extended the cable to my set-top box with satelite coax, because ntl only gave me like 2ft cable, and i needed to move to the other room.

When an engineer came round, he remarked about it, and I asked if it was a problem, he said no, just that it wasn't as good as the stuff they used, he told me that it wouldn't cause a problem with my digital service, but could cause issues with analogue and just left it as is, my signals are all green and he said i'm getting the best signals for broadband.

MacUser · 16-12-2005, 20:47

Interesting, thanks. I'll take some H109 just in case.

MacUser · 20-12-2005, 00:30

Update: I drove up to Middlesbrough and installed the Mac Mini. The cable from the NTL wall box went directly to a splitter feeding the Digital TV decoder and the broadband modem. The cable was white foam-filled (very solid looking foam) coax. However, I noticed that the original Sky dish cable was still there and looked like CT100, in good condition. So I cut it from the dish and routed it directly into the spare bedroom. Connected the bottom end to the splitter and connected the modem upstairs with the short Ethernet cable going to the Mac.

Setting up was easy thanks to the info given here (thanks). Email was a bit tricky to get working until I did a Google search and discovered that Apple "Mail" has to have its SMTP port set to 25 for NTL. Once that was done, everything worked just fine. Mum is now a happy bunny.

In summer I'll go back and install the proper NTL coax but it was brass monkey weather on Saturday and the CT100 seems to work OK.

Oh, an interesting point for Mac users. I wanted to be able to see what was on her screen remotely so I enabled the (Tiger) VNC client (on Mum's Mac Mini 1.25GHz) in
System Preferences -> sharing -> Apple Remote Desktop.

I downloaded and installed "Chicken of the VNC" onto my (Panther) G4/1.4
tower.

When I returned home, I launched "Chicken" and entered Mum's IP address
that I'd thoughtfully emailed to myself.
Chicken connected immediately and I was able to see the Mac Mini's screen
contents, move the mouse and use my keyboard. The only downside is that
each screen refresh takes around half a minute. Hey, but I'm not
complaining!