Double Cat5 network cable?

PapaLazaru · 11 Apr 2011 at 07:38

Hi chaps

I have the router for my house in my PC room, as the main phone line runs into it. I also have a network cable running into another room, where it is connected to another PC. This room has now got another PC as it is being used as an office.

I really don't want to be running another cable through the house so am wondering if you can buy a single cable, with two connectors at both ends? Wireless is not an option either.

I have tried looking but am getting nowhere, though it is first thing on a Monday morning and I am knackered.

Cheers.

paradigm · 11 Apr 2011 at 08:01

Simple solution surely, just buy a 4-port, 5-port, or 8-port switch and two short network cables?

PapaLazaru · 11 Apr 2011 at 08:38

The cable is quite long though. From my room to the other one is about 10 metres. I am a bit of a networking nub, so would your idea still work?

If so, any cheap recommendations?

searching · 11 Apr 2011 at 09:05

You could just split the one cable as each only need 4 of the wires to make the connection.... I think anyway

GhostlyPea · 11 Apr 2011 at 09:09

Just buy the small switch and cable as Pardigm pointed out

- Pea0n

ci_newman · 11 Apr 2011 at 09:14

Pea0n said:
Just buy the small switch and cable as Pardigm pointed out

- Pea0n

What he said. It'll only cost you £20 at the most. Make sure you get a switch, not a hub though

3dcandy · 11 Apr 2011 at 09:49

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-011-TP&groupid=46&catid=1626&subcat=

Sorted...

paradigm · 11 Apr 2011 at 09:54

PapaLazaru said:
The cable is quite long though. From my room to the other one is about 10 metres. I am a bit of a networking nub, so would your idea still work?

If so, any cheap recommendations?

That's not "quite long" in ethernet terms

100 meters is (give or take) the maximum cable run without repeaters.

Frozennova · 11 Apr 2011 at 10:02

if your handy with a pair of rj45 crimps, remove the old terminal and recrimp the cable with two terminals as only 2 of the 4 pairs are needed for an ethernet cable

Trifid · 11 Apr 2011 at 10:08

frozennova said:
if your handy with a pair of rj45 crimps, remove the old terminal and recrimp the cable with two terminals as only 2 of the 4 pairs are needed for an ethernet cable

You can also get connectors both ends that will give you 2 RJ45 both ends of a single cable. Personally I'd just get a small switch.

PapaLazaru · 11 Apr 2011 at 10:42

frozennova said:
if your handy with a pair of rj45 crimps, remove the old terminal and recrimp the cable with two terminals as only 2 of the 4 pairs are needed for an ethernet cable

That idea has problems written all over it. I would not trust myself at all.

3dcandy said:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-011-TP&groupid=46&catid=1626&subcat=

Sorted...

Please excuse my stupidity, but I can plug the long (ish) cat5 cable from my router that goes into the other room into this box, then run another short cable to the second pc in there? So basically the box splits it? If so, I am sold!

Deleted member 77746 · 11 Apr 2011 at 10:52

paradigm said:
Simple solution surely, just buy a 4-port, 5-port, or 8-port switch and two short network cables?

The best solution for this scenario. This means more machines can be added at a later date if needed for a very cheap solution.

PapaLazaru said:
Please excuse my stupidity, but I can plug the long (ish) cat5 cable from my router that goes into the other room into this box, then run another short cable to the second pc in there? So basically the box splits it? If so, I am sold!

This is fine. Sold.

Benihana · 11 Apr 2011 at 10:55

Would cost you more in tools alone to crimp the cables surely? +1 for the switch.

paradigm · 11 Apr 2011 at 10:56

PapaLazaru said:
TPlease excuse my stupidity, but I can plug the long (ish) cat5 cable from my router that goes into the other room into this box, then run another short cable to the second pc in there? So basically the box splits it? If so, I am sold!

You need two short cables (one for each PC from the switch), as the existing cable will just connect the switch to your router

Alfie · 11 Apr 2011 at 11:00

You can get Y splitters for less than a quid specifically for this purpose. You can carry 2 connections over one length of cable as they only need 2 pairs each.

I'm pretty sure you'd limit each connection to 10meg half duplex though which would be a bit poo.

Zarf · 11 Apr 2011 at 11:03

PapaLazaru said:
That idea has problems written all over it. I would not trust myself at all.

Please excuse my stupidity, but I can plug the long (ish) cat5 cable from my router that goes into the other room into this box, then run another short cable to the second pc in there? So basically the box splits it? If so, I am sold!

Well, if you don't want to cut anything you can buy premade rj45 splitters on a popular auction site for 99p each delivered - you'd need two of them though, plus four short bits of cable (two go into the router, two go to your PC's in the office) This has the limitation of only supporting 100Mb/s connections on each connector, rather than a full gigabit. It does work though and if you only need 100Mb it's a cheap way of doing things, easily doable for under £5.

The most futureproof solution is to pick up a switch, which is installed as you think (long cable goes between the router and switch, then your office PC's connect to this) It's a little more expensive, but will allow for gigabit connections, and let you easily put more devices in your office in the future.

therutz · 11 Apr 2011 at 11:05

+1 for the switch

and for 15 quid man i might get one and get rid of me old one 10/100 switch lol cheers for the link to it 3dcandy

3dcandy · 11 Apr 2011 at 13:01

therutz said:
+1 for the switch

and for 15 quid man i might get one and get rid of me old one 10/100 switch lol cheers for the link to it 3dcandy

Hey no worries...it's been mentioned as a decent cheap switch on here before...seems a good enough spec, includes power save etc.

PapaLazaru · 11 Apr 2011 at 13:19

Thanks for all the replies chaps.

I would like to do this as cheaply as possible.

My internet connection into the property is pretty dire anyway (less than 2meg). I managed earlier this year to double the download speed by a simple firmware update and a BT Broadband Accelerator, all of which were advised and linked on here.

The good thing is that the office is unlikely to grow by more than 2 PC's. The connection speed from the office is not of paramount importance as the PC's are only really using the connections for email, and occasional windows updates, though these are rare as they are both on XP. All of this is done during the day when I am at work as well so when I get home, it is only my PC connected.

Will the splitters be ok for email only? I assume so?

Thanks again.

PapaLazaru · 11 Apr 2011 at 13:29

Ok I have been reading on the pre-made splitters and even though they are cheap, I think I will go for the box linked in this thread, and a short length of cable.

Any cheap half decent ones on OcUK? If someone can link me will purchase today.