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Thread ID: 139528	2015-05-18 04:06:00	Network cabling advice	S_Wilson (17369)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1400909	2015-05-18 04:06:00	Hi, I'm looking for advice on how to extend an ethernet-based network. I need to span ~120 metres between a couple of buildings with no line-of-sight between them, and the recommendation from the chap from my ISP who installed my wireless dish was to use ethernet cabling (he was on-site and understood the limitations and topography of my situation). I'm not completely technologically non-complex and feel this is something I could tackle myself, but I want to be sure I have all my bases and technology covered. I'd also like to save the money it would cost me to do something I'm probably capable of myself. As I understand it I need a repeater (i.e. an {unmanaged?} ethernet switch) part-way down the run of cable, as 120m is considered too far to span reliably without a boost. I need gel-based CAT5 or CAT6 cable (which though?) and I might as well run a redundant cable while I'm at it. Since I'll need to power the switch I also need to run power from one end of the cable, and I should enclose both these ethernet data cables (and the electrical extension cable) in alkathene pipe (for example) as mechanical protection and so that I can bury it under the soil/grass. Finally, I need some sort of waterproof box/container wherever I intend siting the switch (for argument's sake, at the halfway point). Have I thought of everything I will need? Is a 4-port switch the piece of kit I want to boost the signal over ethernet cabling at the 60m point, given that I want to run 2 ethernet cables between buildings? Should I be running CAT5(e) or CAT6 cable? Thanks in advance for any tips!	S_Wilson (17369)
1400910	2015-05-18 04:41:00	For a business I'd recommend running fibre but I'm not sure that's viable for home use, might cost too much. You'd need a length of fibre and a media converter or other device with an optical connection at each end. It's possible cable would work ok despite exceeding the limit which is generally 100M but a nuisance to redo if it doesn't. CAT5 is generally good enough for home networks and shortish runs but when pushing the distance boundaries CAT6 might be worthwhile. It just has slightly better noise rejection and crosstalk characteristics which is quite important when bundling a lot of cables together but less so for a single cable. Both theoretically will work up to 1Gbps over 100M. I believe there is such a thing as a POE (power over ethernet) outdoor repeater which would get both it's power and the ethernet signal over the same connection. Not sure where to get them or how much though.	dugimodo (138)
1400911	2015-05-18 05:05:00	As above fibre with media converters is probably your best bet.	Alex B (15479)
1400912	2015-05-18 05:06:00	Thanks for your response. The POE option sounds intriguing — I wonder what the limitations are length (or other) wise. If I could power a switch from one of the ethernet cables then that would save me both the cost and hassle of running a separate power cable through 60m of alkathene.	S_Wilson (17369)
1400913	2015-05-18 05:06:00	Might be unexpected issues with connecting each bldings earths via the network cable (have yet to see that). You can buy isolators to solve any earth issues.	1101 (13337)
1400914	2015-05-18 05:09:00	As above fibre with media converters is probably your best bet. Sorry to not use Google before asking, but: about how much per metre am I looking at for fibre; am I right in assuming it can manage 100+ metres; and where would I obtain media converters (I assume they translate electrical signals to/from light waves)	S_Wilson (17369)
1400915	2015-05-18 05:16:00	This is definitely doable - and probably by yourself too. :) Have you completely ruled out a Point to Point wireless link between the buildings? Do you have some pictures of the area/buildings? For a cable option - although Ethernet 'only goes 100m' with a couple of good switches and good CAT6 cable, there is a very good possibility that you would be able to get 100Mbit over 120m, but I wouldn't think you'd get gigabit. Have you priced up fiber? It might be cheaper than you think. What speed do you require? A better option than running AC power all the way through a conduit would be a PoE powered switch that you could place midway in a NEMA enclosure something like this (www.gowifi.co.nz). Can't think of a decent PoE powered switch right at this second. Veracity make that kind of thing, but I don't know who sell them in NZ. A PoE powered switch can't be too hard to find. If you need gigabit, that does bump up the price significantly though if you go the PoE route.	wratterus (105)
1400916	2015-05-18 05:27:00	Have you completely ruled out a Point to Point wireless link between the buildings? Do you have some pictures of the area/buildings? Have you priced up fiber? It might be cheaper than you think. What speed do you require? I'm not too concerned or obsessed with speed. I'm more interested in reliability in the first instance. The technician who visited ruled out point-to-point wireless linkage — due to topography and immoveable obstacles like large trees. I hadn't considered fibre so I'm trying to price it now. Thanks for your thoughts…	S_Wilson (17369)
1400917	2015-05-18 05:29:00	Missed the edit time - MikroTik have this (www.gowifi.co.nz)- lots more features than you require, but it would do the job. You'd need a gigabit PoE injector though - something like this (www.gowifi.co.nz) then the appropriate DC power brick. If you can find someone to pre-make you a fiber cable, a pair of something like theses and some conduit would do the bizzo. www.tp-link.com	wratterus (105)
1400918	2015-05-18 05:32:00	The other options is a couple of vdsl converters/transmitter & receiver. These can do 100mbps up to 300m on a single twisted pair. Not the cheapest option but maybe the least hassle.	CYaBro (73)
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