Wiring up my network...

typk

typk

typk

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Ok I have decided I want to wire my network which is currently wireless as I’m finding transferring large files too slow and media sharing HD files is basically impossible.
I do want it to remain partly wireless so I can connect my PSP's and Laptop around the house.

The router I currently have is Netgear DG834G and the devices I want to wire up follows:
Upstairs
  • x2 PS3
  • x2 Desktop
Downstairs
  • x1 Desktop

Could you guys tell me what I need to buy to do this? e.g. cables ect

Thanks
 
How far are the upstairs PCs / PS3 away from the router and how far is the downstairs desktop away?

Depending on the lengths, you can then decide whether to buy ready made lengths of cable or buy a reel, some connectors and a crimper and makeyour own lengths up.

If you want to make it look a good job you could also get some face plates and plug everything into that.

Tellus the lengths for a start and better replies will come :)

//edit: Does the router have more than 4 ports in it to connect to? If not you may have to get a new router, although not sure how many come with more than 4 RJ45 ports, or look at a switch for the PS3 to share maybe.
 
Its around 19-20m of cable if i run it where i want upstairs with a 5m extra to reach the other PS3.

To run the cable to the one downstairs it can easily go through a wall so that will be about 5m.

Is that the info you wanted?

The router has 4 LAN ports.
 
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Well ready made 25m cables are 30 quid at a well known electrical store....so say 4 of those is 120 quid (if you want to run a sep. cable to each bit of kit).

IMO I would get a reel of RJ45 cable, some connectors and the crimping tool and you can run the cable where ever you want.

As there are only 4 ports on the router and you need 5 for the PCs and PS3 you may have to get a small switch so at least 2 of the bits of kit can share a port on the router (I would plump for the 2 PS3 on a switch but I guess it depends on what you use them for)

Crimping tool is about 30 quid, RJ45 connectors are pennies each and the reel of cable will cost you about 45 quid for 300m or about 30 quid for 100 (ish from quick google searches).

I have a local electrical place that I use to get my cables / connectors from so get them a bit cheaper, so depending on how handy you are on making cables it may be better to go the DIY way.

The other upside of making your own cables is you won't need a whacking great hole in the wall to get a ready made cable and connector through, just the diameter of the cable!

Switches are cheap enough now as well.

Hope that helps a bit!
 
Seeing as your router has 4 ports I would suggest buying a switch to go upstairs and having the 4 devices connect off of that.
 
When upstairs both PS3's are used together at the same time and if they are on the PC is not being used.
Should I get a switch between one of the PS3's and one of the PC's? as they are not used at the same time.
 
The 'AV' 200mbit rated ones are pretty good (I get around 45Mbit/sec throughput from mine) but if you're happy to lay cables and such forth you wont get a better performance, and given that a 300m drum of Cat5 should only cost you around £30 or so, add £15 for some crimps and £2 for a bag of plugs its the most cost effective way of doing it too.

I'd lay one cable up stairs and put a switch on the end of that, then cable from there to the other devices.

Something such as: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...ame=Netgear FS608 8-Port Fast Ethernet Switch

Would suffice.
 
Homeplugs are about half the price that they used to be. You should consider having just two - one on the router talking to the one connected to the upstairs switch. Much easier than wrecking the house by routing a cable up the stairs.

If you really want cheap.....

... move all your kit into one room.
 
wij said:
I'd lay one cable up stairs and put a switch on the end of that, then cable from there to the other devices.
Click to expand...

Would the bandwidth be shared equally? Would it be better if I bought a new wireless router with a gigabit port and run that up to the switch?
 
Could buy a gigabit switch for a little more, would give you very quick transfers between the upstairs machines and the PS3's. You'd still get 100mbit to the downstairs PC (limited of course by your router port speed) but that should be more than enough to transfer files around with and you shouldn't find any issues with running out of bandwidth.
 
Right so i think i have this sorted.
Im going to go for the single LAN cable upstairs connected to the 100mb switch which will be connected to all my devices.
There will also be another LAN cable going to the computer downstairs.

What type of cable should I use?
 
Just run one cable upstairs and have a 4port switch up there, theres no point in having to plug and unplug all the time its jsut extra hassel and i dont think ull find a 2port switch!

if you think your up to doing the cableing then go for it personaly i would even if you ahvent before its not hard!

im sure theres plently of good guides and if you terminate into sockets rather than cables its even more easy (almost impossible to go wrong!)
 
Cat5e or Cat6 if you're feeling extravagant :)

Can't mention competitor names but if you go to the websites where people who are buying for trade etc. you should be able to get a good drum of it (300m) for £30 or so and pick up a set of crimps and plugs whilst at it.

The switch I'd just get from OcUK as with the current 6% offer and I think you qualify for free shipping its as good a price as you're going to get.
 
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