Choice of 'Network Cable'

[feriso]

Looking to run some network cable around my house to make a wired network and I was wondering if I could use some cable that I already have.

Well, this cable is not prewired Cat5 stuff it is the well-protected cabling that BT lay in the ground to do their runs to the house (black). As I have 'some' I was wondering whether I could use this as it'd run nicely round the side of the house.

The reason for this is that my wireless router is upstairs and I was wanting to put a network socket upstairs and down so I can plug my htpc downstairs directly in to the router. Wireless isn't fast enough for large file transfer.

i.e.

HTPC--->Socket ->cable run roudn the house -->socket upstairs --> router

 

[Antar Bolaeisk]

Not quite sure on the cable you have but I've done this before using CAT5e cabling in a patch (I think that's what it's called) configuration. The sockets you'll be looking for are RJ45 sockets and the ones I used before were colour coded making my job even easier. Now, i think there might be a tool for clamping the wires into place once you get to this stage but seen as I didn't have the tool I figured a bit of solder wouldn't go astray. Thankfully it worked and I've not had any problems.

Just try googling for CAT 5 and for RJ45 and you should get some diagrams which will help you out.

Also, CAT5 wire is rated to lenghts up to 100m so make sure you don't go beyond this but obviously the shorter the cable the better.

Good luck with it.

PS. A local electrical supplies shop was able to provide me with 300m worth of the cabling so if the BT cabling is no good you should be able to pick up some more handily enough.

 

[feriso]

Well it's I'm assuming its a reasonable quality telephone cable - I've used it before to extend my phone line upstairs by going outside, up the wall and back in again. I'll have a look tonight but it's got 8 (iirc) wires within its protective sheath.

 

[mdjmcnally]

Voice Grade is Cat3 cable if I rememer correctly (probably not) so whilst worth giving it a go first of all as you already have I wouldn't expect too much of it.

 

[mejinks]

Voice Grade is Cat3 cable if I rememer correctly (probably not) so whilst worth giving it a go first of all as you already have I wouldn't expect too much of it.

You are quite correct, it will be cat 3. You can use the cable, but you won't get a very fast connection as cat 3 is rated to 10Mb.