[Closed] Cat 6 cabling question

You can't splice / split CAT-5/6 cable, every end point is a 1-1 connection back to a switch or router.

If you want to split remote from the router you need an ethernet switch at remote location

Try one of [url= http://www.amazon.co.uk/Netgear-5-port-Gigabit-Ethernet-Switch/dp/B0000E5SEQ/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_1 ]these[/url] or similar. Just run one cable from your router to this and other cables out to other devices. If you need more ports you can get 8 port jobbies (I might be selling one soon as I need more than 8 ports!)

You can use a CAT5 cable splitter and run two devices, but it's really not worth the hassle as you'll be bound to have issues at some point (cross talk, etc.)

Don't bother with CAT6, go for CAT5 cables - cheaper and go round corners better.

Might be easier to replace your broadband modem/router for a different model with more ports

Point of order: Cat5e, not Cat5. Cat5 is can go up to 100Mbit. If you have a Gigabit network, you want Cat5e or Cat6.

Think we are assuming home use here, but OP hasn't said!

Gigabit network at home is hardly unusual these days.

[url= https://www.apple.com/uk/compare-wifi-models/ ]Gigabit WIFI and Ethernet.[/url]

Bensales:

simultaneous dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) with data rates up to 1.3 Gbps2

2. Based on theoretical peak speeds. Actual speeds will be[i] [a lot] [/i]lower.

Footflaps is bang on.

Does every item need a direct connection to my router or can I splice into a cable or use a splitter?

You can get Ethernet splitters, they look a bit like Microfilters only with Ethernet ports all round. They take two feeds from your switch (home router) and combine them into one, then split them back into two with another dongle at the remote end.

BUT there's a gotcha in doing this; you lose Gigabit Ethernet, it'll be 10/100 only (100Mbps Ethernet only uses four of the eight wires in the cable, so the splitter utilises the other four; Gigabit uses all eight). So if performance is a factor then I'd not recommend it. A second switch (as per the earlier link) or Powerline adapters would be a much better solution.

Worth noting as well that CAT6 is a fairly exacting standard, it's not as simple as buying expensive cable and going "there, CAT6". It has to be supported at every point in the chain. For most practical home uses it's largely pointless, I'd stick with CAT5e.

Point of order: Cat5e, not Cat5.

Can you even get regular CAT5 any more? I can't remember the last time I saw it.

sharkbait - Member

If you want gigbit speed you need wires or a future house with no walls

Oh yeah, I'm well aware of that, and it applies to any speed of WIFI. My point was that Gigibit [i]wired[/i] LAN was a fairly normal thing these days with routers not costing a huge amount.

I'm using a network switch which can maintain gigabit ethernet. I also used cat6 cable, no point in using anything else, at least you're future proofed - until cat7 comes out at least.

Cougar - Moderator

Can you even get regular CAT5 any more? I can't remember the last time I saw it

Think we still have 2 x 500 meter drums of it and a huge box of plugs & sockets in the workshop that really could do with chucking out.

Mind you we only recently removed an old 10BASE2 system!

Argh, the horror.

flashbacks of troubleshooting 10BASE2 with no network testing kit and a bunch of dubious cabling.... *shudder*

Part of one office was strung through the rafters of an old welsh slate roof that used to move a fair bit & had no boarding so many feet went through the ceiling
We still have a running 10BASE2 system, but that is just process data & handshake protocol so speed isn't an issue.

Vampire taps!