Ethernet accross my house

smithy said:
If i get 2x2 Port wall plate, are the things that like you plug the ethernet cable into - come with it ? Are they called snap in couplers or something like that?
The modules are what you 'pop' in to ports on the wall plates.

smithy said:
I will only need 30m's of cable, and the pc geek shop down the road has 30metres for $30(aud). But really im confused about the wall plates, and basically if i get those wall plates what else do i need.
Buy more than what you think you'll need...you'd be amazed at how quick it disappears.

If you have an existing telephone jack somewhere in the room that's in a standard wall box, then you would need:

- Wire
- Wallplates
- Modules per wallplate [1 Telephone and 1 Ethernet (RJ45)]

If you don't have a standard wall box in the room, then you'll need to pickup one at a hardware type store for each room. They make 'remodel' ones that are easy to install, you can also find surface mount models.


I never even looked to see if you were in the US, my bad. Are your phone jacks the old #22AUST type or are they the RJ-11 type? I'm not sure if they make a #22AUST module or not. Converting to the RJ-11 shouldn't be too hard.

Wall Plates - http://www.accesscomms.com.au/Products/P4301.htm
Modules (RJ45) - http://www.accesscomms.com.au/products/P4511.htm
They didn't show any RJ-11 phone modules, but you can use the RJ-45 ones with the following reducers (6 position to 4 position) - http://www.accesscomms.com.au/Products/P2220.htm
 
Reality said:
I have a question similar to this thread. I think having Ethernet ports in the home is really cool and saves a lot of trouble and unglues with wires all over the place but I wonder if anyone knows what the "next" Ethernet will be. What I mean is, what will be taking it's place in the up coming years? Is installing ports a to big of investment since something else might become the new standard in a few years?

I haven't heard anything about a replacement, doubt there will be one anytime soon. Most people are still using 10/100 right now, even though 1000 has been out for a while. Internet wise, it'll be a LONG time before you'd max out a 100Mb/s e-net connection, at least for "general use" (home, surfing, etc.). Most DSL/Cable/BBOPL lines are running at 2Mb/s to 6Mb/s. I've heard of up some places seeing 10MB/s to 15Mb/s.

You could always do fiber, but the costs (high) aren't really justified...especially in a home environment.

Hard-wiring a home with CAT5 can generally recoup the costs (which aren't much) at resale too. CAT5 is also usable as standard telephone cabling. Instead of 2 pair, you get 3 pair of wires.
 
Thankyou sooo much mdnky, thats basically what i need ! However i dont have any need for a telephone line in both rooms nor do i have lines in both of them.

One more thing, how does windows 98 and OSX go with networking ? Like if i connected a win98 pc with the ethernet that is connected to the mac, will the pc work as a network or something like that ?

Hopefully it will work, otherwise i think i will literally chuck my possesed pc out the window ..
 
smithy said:
how does windows 98 and OSX go with networking ? Like if i connected a win98 pc with the ethernet that is connected to the mac, will the pc work as a network or something like that ?

Hopefully it will work, otherwise i think i will literally chuck my possesed pc out the window ..

Start working out at the Gym regularly so you can chuck it farther <G>. It'll feel really good and it's a definite stress reliever.

My experience with 98 and Panther in a network for the most part isn't a happy or productive one. I had to run to the hardware store and waste $25 on my handy dandy computer (PC) repair tool...a good old fashioned 16lb sledge hammer. It felt REALLY, REALLY good to fix that <insert your profanity of choice here> Win98 box. One of the best moments in my life; almost. :D

That one was a pain from day one. Everything we tried failed. Another time I tried it with a different computer running Win98 it was easy to get going. Just turned Windows File Sharing on in Panther and shared a folder in Win98. Same username/pwds on both computers. Everything worked fine for some unknown reason.

The only other option is to run Miramar's MacLan on the PC, but the cost is definitely not worth it. You could buy a full version of XP Pro for that. Almost a new computer, if you went bottom-dollar bargain basement on it.

This might help you: http://joelshoemaker.com/computer/mac/m98fs.html
 
In regard to the "new network" thing. I thing Ethernet over copper wires is here to stay for a while. But if you want to future-proof your house, maybe wire it with Cat6..I don't think it's worth using Fibre inside a single small building, cus then you need either media converters at each point, or PCI/PCMCIA cards with fibre connections on them..
 
I wouldn't use the cable you found in the garbage. Chances are it's old and will only support 10Mbit and that's why it's being replaced.

I ran Cat5 through my return air ducts to the basement and it was easy. I don't think it's up to code having the wire in the ducts but oh well for me :p

For futureproofing your best bet is Cat6 which is a higher grade cable and will let you run gigabit ethernet, 1000Mbps. This is going to start becoming more popular in the home because gigabit switches are getting pretty cheap. A few hundred dollars for an 8 port switch or something. Not bad considering they were 1000 or so before.
 
Reality said:
I have a question similar to this thread. I think having Ethernet ports in the home is really cool and saves a lot of trouble and unglues with wires all over the place but I wonder if anyone knows what the "next" Ethernet will be. What I mean is, what will be taking it's place in the up coming years? Is installing ports a to big of investment since something else might become the new standard in a few years?

I'm sure you'll see Wireless 108 take off in homes now that G and B have proven themselves nicely, and Gigabit become the standard in biz. WEP will become easier for the unwashed masses to administer as "PROTECT YOUR NUTS FROM IDENTITY THEFT" becomes more touted to the common folk.

I'd also bet we're going to see WAY more use of secure bluetooth connections for printers, local "workstation" sharing and the like, becoming mainstream in short order.

My guess/$.02
 
Captain Code said:
I ran Cat5 through my return air ducts to the basement and it was easy. I don't think it's up to code having the wire in the ducts but oh well for me :p

Depends on if it's plenum rated or not. If it is, you're golden. If it isn't then the pitiful tiny amounts of toxic gasses being released from your 4 or 5 cables when your house burns down will pale in comparison to those being released from all the other polymers and synthetics used in your home. So, I wouldn't worry 'bout it.

Plenum rating is akin to closing the barn door after the nuke hits.

*shrugs*
 
chornbe said:
Depends on if it's plenum rated or not. If it is, you're golden. If it isn't then the pitiful tiny amounts of toxic gasses being released from your 4 or 5 cables when your house burns down will pale in comparison to those being released from all the other polymers and synthetics used in your home. So, I wouldn't worry 'bout it.

Plenum rating is akin to closing the barn door after the nuke hits.

*shrugs*


Yeah, it's not plenum rated, it's just regular Cat 5. You're right, I'm sure the synthetic carpet would give off enough toxic fumes to kill me before the Cat 5 would.
 
Um. you don't need cat6 do do gigabit. cat5e does gigabit. but i agree, cat6 is the way to go.. just watch out, it's quite thick compared to 5/5e..
 
Pengu said:
Um. you don't need cat6 do do gigabit. cat5e does gigabit. but i agree, cat6 is the way to go.. just watch out, it's quite thick compared to 5/5e..

True, but Cat5e is half the bandwidth of Cat6, so you won't have as many problems if there is any interference and you can maybe go to 10Gbit in the future if they work out a standard that will allow this over copper. Might as well put in the best stuff you can now instead of being limited in the future to *only* 1Gbit :D
 
Oh, i agree. i did actually suggest cat6 in the post above yours that suggests it. im simply pointing out that it does work over 5e (maybe short distances over 5?)
 
Well im just going to get cat5 cable basically thats all i can afford. I know i should get more than what i think i will need, but yeah i might measure it out. I think i might just transfer files between the pc and mac via msn messenger or something. I doubt the networking will work with my possesed pc ...
 
If you're using wall jacks and such (rather than just running long patch cords - the wrong way to go), please remember that wiring scheme 568B is your friend. Not 568A. you'll get cleaner signals at the 100mb and up.
 
Smithy, I gather you're not exactly an electronics expert. :)

To save having to buy tools and mess about with wiring your own plugs, go
to Jaycar Electronics in Ipswich Rd Wooloongabba, (or jaycar.com.au) and buy two of their ethernet wall plates that have an RJ45 socket on both inside and outside (RJ45 is the type of socket used for Ethernet ports on computers, and also on the wall plates).

This means you can use a normal pre-made ethernet patch cable in the walls, instead of wiring your own connectors.

It's a little bit more expensive than using bare cable and the traditional connectors that have telephone-style punch-down connections, but a heck of a lot easier for those unfamiliar with data cabling, and lacking the specialist tools required. Besides, if you want raw cable you often have to buy a 300m drum.

If you do decide to wire it yourself with bulk cable, go to an electrical wiring wholesaler (yellow pages), not a computer store, as parts will be much cheaper.
 
Ah thanks for that unixbigot ... welcome to the forum as well !

I have heard of jaycar before and there only at the gabba not that far away. I think we might just go see them and basically tell them what we need to do and yeah they can show us exactly what we need. Hopefully they dont rip me off though !!
 
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