Network extension over 100m

[yebaws]

I'd like to extend my network to my workshop using cat6 solid copper cable. I've paced the cable run out at 140m max.

I understand that the signal will begin to drop off after 100m, but my question is by how much? I haven't been able to find figures for this.

I'm starting with 145Mb at the router, how much am I likely to get at the workshop?

Yes, I could use a switch / signal booster / convert to fibre optic for the run etc, but I want a quick and easy solution to enable me use spotify / watch the odd youtube video on how to fix stuff etc. I'm not gaming or crypto mining and don't need a hugely fast connection. 10mb would be fine. The Openreach guy who installed the fibre seemed to think I'd have no bother, but just looking for some other opinions before I do it please.

 

[Armageus]

I understand that the signal will begin to drop off after 100m, but my question is by how much? I haven't been able to find figures for this.

It doesn't just "drop off", it just won't work at all at much above 100m.

I'm starting with 145Mb at the router, how much am I likely to get at the workshop?

0Mb. At 140m it won't work.


You could use an ethernet repeater half way (e.g. Unifi UACC-LRE https://uk.store.ui.com/uk/en/products/uacc-lre) that just takes PoE in and then boosts the signal out for another 100m.

 

[Caged]

If you put a MikroTik GPeR at each end of the link and you have PoE available then according to their datasheet you should be fine. If you haven't put this cable in yet though I highly recommend you go with fibre.

 

[R.C.Anderson]

Ethernet standards are only rated to 100m. It's not like wifi. For wifi, the further you get from the WAP, the lower the speeds normally (due to signal attenuation, interference etc). For ethernet, your connection will either work, or it wont, however by "work", it could be negotatied at a lower speed (e.g. 10/100Mb rather than 1Gb), and at this point you'll be limited to this speed.

In reality, you can probably go a bit further, but anything beyond 100m may be tempremental, or may not work at all. The only way to know for sure is to try it, but don't be suprised if both ends just think it's disconnected. If you were going for 110m, I'd say chances are you'll be OK, but 40% over the max spec, I'd be suprised if you didn't have at least some problems. If you're lucky, the connection might negotiate at 10 or 100Mb.

Without knowing your exact setup it's hard to tell, but it's not much more effort to run a 140m fibre instead (although might be a little more expensive), or you can put a POE booster in the middle. The Mikrotik booster Caged mentioned is an interesting alternative, which is essentially doing the same thing, but presumably not running to complete ethernet standards to enable the longer length between boosters.

 

[Caged]

If the cable is already in then I'd be inclined to just give it a go, I would suspect a 140 metre Cat6 run would operate happily at 100Mbps