network cabling...

[VJ]

Hello,
My parents appear to have a problem with cabling in their house: it appears to be impossible to add an ethernet-cable (we thought about putting it along with the telephone) as the tubes are too narrow.
The electrician suggested to put an Cat5 UTP cable instead of the telephone cable (which is feasible), and use a couple of the wires for telephone, and 4 for the network. Judging by the number of wires inside the UTP cable, this ought to be possible, but how is the interference when doing this ?
If not, are there other suggestions of putting a network (shielded FTP next to 220V cable) ? Or will I have to resort to a wireless one ?


Thanks!
Jörg

[Colin Morey]

it is _possible_ but I wouldn't recommend it, even speeds of 10mbit can't be relied upon.

Wireless has it's own headaches

[VJ]

Are you talking about the phone/network ? Yes, I thought so too (thanks for confirming)... and allthough wireless has its own headaches, I don't really see other solutions (I was hoping for some additional suggestions ).

Jörg

[agallag]

If the wiring is done well, it's very possible, and works quite well. My brother asked to have his house done with cat5 instead of telephone cable (actually he asked to have the cat5 as well as the telphone cable, but they chose instead).

He's running one ethernet (two pairs) and two telephone lines (one pair each) through each cable, and he has absolutely no problems running at 100Mb. Just make sure the connections are done well, and you should be fine.

[DirtFarmer]

100Mb with 2 pairs?? How is that? I thought 10Mb max on 2 pair. Man when I lay cable in my next house its going to be 3 Cat5e cables to EVERY room. There is no media you can't distribute on Cat5e, you just can't have enough of the stuff.

[Wombat]

Not CAT6?

[DirtFarmer]

Actually it may end up being CAT7 by the time I build.

[VJ]

Just curious: what are the additional advantages of Cat6 or 7 ? Gigabit over copper is feasible with Cat5e, proper shielding can be done with foiled UTP. So what are the benefits ?


Jörg

[R.Carter]

Actually, there are several cabling schemes for 100Base-T.

100Base-TX only uses two of the four twisted paris of a Category 5 cable. Pair 2 (Blue & Blue/White) and Pair 3 (Green & Green/White). The other two pairs aren't used. With proper twisting the crosstalk shouldn't be a problem. If the cable is being run in walls make sure it meets fire codes.

100Base-T4 uses all four pairs of Category 3, 4 or 5 cable. Does not support full-duplex operation.

[R.Carter]

Originally posted by VJ
Just curious: what are the additional advantages of Cat6 or 7 ? Gigabit over copper is feasible with Cat5e, proper shielding can be done with foiled UTP. So what are the benefits ?


Jörg

Yes, this is true. Right now there is nothing that requires Cat-6 cables. As you say, Gigabit works with Cat-5e cables and uses all four pairs. As far as I know all10 Gigabit specifications require fiber.

However, Category 6 (ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.2-1) cables does provide higher performance than Cat-5e and features more stringent specifications for crosstalk and system noise.

So you'll have more margin of error for installation practices and other contingencies that if you use Cat-5e.

You are also future proofing your installation. I doubt you'll have to replace your Cat-6 cable anytime soon. Most cabling and stuff deployed in walls is usually expected to last at least 10 years.

Don't forget that Cat-6 components are backward compatible with Cat-5e, 5 and Cat-3.

[lindberg]

Originally posted by DirtFarmer
100Mb with 2 pairs?? How is that? I thought 10Mb max on 2 pair.

Two pairs are used for 10Mbit and the other two are used for 100Mbit in a four pair cable. If you only use two pairs you will only be able to connect on 10Mbit or 100Mbit depending on how they're connected in the socket/connector.

[Kurt]

The price difference between CAT5e and CAT6 is negligible.

If it's to be built into the house, you should go for the best cables available as they're bound to stay where they are for many years.