Network question

smurf300 · 23 Sep 2012 at 23:16

ok so my ethernet cable or switch has died and i need to replace some bits tomorrow but I'm new to networks in general, the mothers father did it before.

Now I want to know if I'm right on how this works and this is how it is setup atm..

my PC has an ethernet cable that goes into a 5 port switch now am I right to plug the ethernet in, then get a cross over cable that goes from the switch to my BT homehub?

It's because i'm downstairs and the router is upstairs, to make the questions more simple

1. What cable do i use to go from my pc to the 5 port switch?

2. What cable do I use to go from the switch to my router[bt home hub 2.0]

supergluechris · 23 Sep 2012 at 23:43

A CAT5 Ethernet cable would work. one from the hub to the switch then from the switch to your pc. If I'm correct. Play around if you have spare cables. If in doubt follow the user manual for the switch

Dist · 23 Sep 2012 at 23:53

You don't have to care about crossover/straight-through cables any more, all devices have auto-MDIX for MANY years now, although if you are curious it would be a straight-through cable (sometimes just called a patch cable) used for PC to switch, and switch to router, but as I said that doesn't matter really any more. As for cable type you would want to make sure you get Cat 5e (which pretty much most Ethernet cables are, I don't think Cat5 is sold any more and Cat 6/Cat 6a isn't really needed unless you want to future proof for 10Gigabit Ethernet).

smurf300 · 24 Sep 2012 at 00:01

Dist said:
You don't have to care about crossover/straight-through cables any more, all devices have auto-MDIX for MANY years now, although if you are curious it would be a straight-through cable (sometimes just called a patch cable) used for PC to switch, and switch to router, but as I said that doesn't matter really any more. As for cable type you would want to make sure you get Cat 5e (which pretty much most Ethernet cables are, I don't think Cat5 is sold any more and Cat 6/Cat 6a isn't really needed unless you want to future proof for 10Gigabit Ethernet).

Ah ok been stressing about it not knowing which ones to get

thanks will get 2 cat5e eth cables

, I checked online and apparently any tech in the last 3 yrs should have that auto detect thing you're talking about?

Dist · 24 Sep 2012 at 00:04

smurf300 said:
Ah ok been stressing about it not knowing which ones to get thanks will get 2 cat5e eth cables , I checked online and apparently any tech in the last 3 yrs should have that auto detect thing you're talking about?

Anything made in the last decade would have it, if not even further back

supergluechris · 24 Sep 2012 at 01:42

Dist said:
You don't have to care about crossover/straight-through cables any more, all devices have auto-MDIX for MANY years now, although if you are curious it would be a straight-through cable (sometimes just called a patch cable) used for PC to switch, and switch to router, but as I said that doesn't matter really any more. As for cable type you would want to make sure you get Cat 5e (which pretty much most Ethernet cables are, I don't think Cat5 is sold any more and Cat 6/Cat 6a isn't really needed unless you want to future proof for 10Gigabit Ethernet).

Yeah that was much clearly than what I was saying. I forgot to add the 'e' on the end of the CAT5.. oops. I do the patch cables for the network switches for the school I work at.

CrixxzeH · 24 Sep 2012 at 10:41

make sure you use the GB port on the router because it will give you priority over the other ethernet connections. especialy usefull if you want the port for gaming.

smurf300 · 24 Sep 2012 at 13:31

CrixxzeH said:
make sure you use the GB port on the router because it will give you priority over the other ethernet connections. especialy usefull if you want the port for gaming.

GB port? i just checked the router and the only ports it has are named

Phone
Broadband
1
2
3
4

bremen1874 · 24 Sep 2012 at 13:39

smurf300 said:
GB port? i just checked the router and the only ports it has are named

Phone
Broadband
1
2
3
4

I guess he's assuming you've got BT's HH3 that has a Gigabit port available. I don't think you mention which version you have.

ChrisD. · 24 Sep 2012 at 13:39

How old is your homehub? I think the older models didn't have Gigabit ethernet.

smurf300 · 24 Sep 2012 at 14:21

MilanoChris said:
How old is your homehub? I think the older models didn't have Gigabit ethernet.

Ah ok,. we have the bt homehub 2.0, I guess i'll upgrade if it's better for gaming, anyway thanks for all your help guys.

CrixxzeH · 25 Sep 2012 at 12:17

smurf300 said:
Ah ok,. we have the bt homehub 2.0, I guess i'll upgrade if it's better for gaming, anyway thanks for all your help guys.

this may not be of great use, but here is my experience with the 2.0.

I personaly have the BT HomeHub 2.0, the one with the buttons on the top right on the side of the hub. I too have this set up through the telephone line w/ the filter. however, the hub is next to the tv which is also plugged into the hub, their are quite a lot of wires so i did think it would cause some kind of interference, my computer is about 2m away from the exchange, and yet i have got the pc connected via a 10m cat5 eth cable and to my suprise i still have a nice ping on on games, from this I wouldent think you would need to upgrade the hub, but that is just my suggestion.

ChrisD. · 25 Sep 2012 at 15:57

I doubt changing hubs would be any different for gaming.