what network cable do I use?

[homerUK]

I'm in the process of setting up my network at home. I'm going to buy a router - (I think its a router I need!) which will allow multiple connections to my PCs and printers etc.... I have a 4 port modem/router at the mo, but that's not enough, I need about 10 ports.

Anyway.. I need to buy the cabling so thinking I need to get it on a roll - as it's going all the way round the house etc...

what kind do I need?

is it normal? Or cross over?

the cables from the router will be going under floors to an RJ45 (?) socket in the wall. I will then use a normal network cable to connect to that.

thanks for any help!

[Aradon]

You need ethernet cables. Unless you are doing something tricksy, but it doesn't sound like you are.

[JamieR]

If you're going from switch/router to client then you want Category 5 e patch cable (twisted pair). Most cat5e rolls come in about 305m nowadays. You'll need RJ45 ends and a pair of crimpers so you can put the ends of the cable on it.

You can get a basic 10/100/1000 switch (1000mb/s is gigabit - I don't think you'll need that) which will allow you to connect your computers together. If you want the net independant of a specific computer, or want wireless lan, then you want an ADSL Wireless firewall router.

[homerUK]

i know I need cat5e ... but will the UTP type be ok? That's all that seems to come on rolls!

[JamieR]

Yeah UTP will be fine.

[homerUK]

cool thanks! :)

[_Aerospace_Eng_]

Have you thought about going wireless or do you really need a non-wireless connection?

[homerUK]

yeah it will be wireless for my laptop - but I want my main PC's and jukebox hard wired as I know thats 100% reliable and much faster than the wireless!

[_Aerospace_Eng_]

yeah it will be wireless for my laptop - but I want my main PC's and jukebox hard wired as I know thats 100% reliable and much faster than the wireless!

Not if you are running 50-100ft of cable. Speed will slow down quite a bit. It might be just as fast as your wireless.

[oracleguy]

If you use good cable, you should be able to run at least 100ft without any noticable speed drop. I believe the maximum run for a CAT5 cable is about 290 feet. I wouldn't recommend making runs getting close to that number though.