extend cat5e without re-running new cables?

**Jeff316** · October 11th, 2004, 11:19 AM

Howdy folks -

I'm adding on to my home and I decided it would "be a good thing" to wire the house for ethernet - 1 jack in bedroom for the laptop, a jack for the PS2, and a couple of "future use" jacks scattered about the house - this is more for sharing my DSL connection than doing networking-type stuff - although I do want that option open to me. I ran the wire to the current location of the computer desk and left enough slack to run the wire down the wall.

OK - now the challenge - my wife has decided to move the computer desk ~ 20ft a way from its current spot - I really can't argue because it will be in a much nicer spot, but now I have several runs of cat5e that are nowhere near long enough.

So...what are my options? I know I could put connectors on the cables and run another set to the new location - but is there another/better way to do this?

Thanks in Advance!

Jeff

**jitBob** · October 11th, 2004, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by Jeff316

Howdy folks -

I'm adding on to my home and I decided it would "be a good thing" to wire the house for ethernet - 1 jack in bedroom for the laptop, a jack for the PS2, and a couple of "future use" jacks scattered about the house - this is more for sharing my DSL connection than doing networking-type stuff - although I do want that option open to me. I ran the wire to the current location of the computer desk and left enough slack to run the wire down the wall.

OK - now the challenge - my wife has decided to move the computer desk ~ 20ft a way from its current spot - I really can't argue because it will be in a much nicer spot, but now I have several runs of cat5e that are nowhere near long enough.

So...what are my options? I know I could put connectors on the cables and run another set to the new location - but is there another/better way to do this?

Thanks in Advance!

Jeff

Leave your router there and add a longer cable to your computer.

**Jeff316** · October 11th, 2004, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by jitBob

Leave your router there and add a longer cable to your computer.

Well, I guess sometimes a solution may be so obvious you just miss it (or maybe it's just a typical Monday). I guess that would work out OK depending on what furniture ends up against that wall -better than a splice-job anyway I'm sure.

Thanks!

**MobilePCPhysician** · October 11th, 2004, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by Jeff316

Well, I guess sometimes a solution may be so obvious you just miss it (or maybe it's just a typical Monday). I guess that would work out OK depending on what furniture ends up against that wall -better than a splice-job anyway I'm sure.

Thanks!

They make cat 5 couplers. Allows you to plug two cat 5 cables together.

**DiR[ëctory]** · October 11th, 2004, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by MobilePCPhysician

They make cat 5 couplers. Allows you to plug two cat 5 cables together.

that's what i would suggest

**gazzak** · October 11th, 2004, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by MobilePCPhysician

They make cat 5 couplers. Allows you to plug two cat 5 cables together.

Me too because I've done it here at home when I wanted to extend a cable up into the loft. Been like it for a year running 100mbps with no problems and the coupler is small enough to hide away easily.

**gazzak** · October 11th, 2004, 02:33 PM

Almost forgot to say, don't forget wireless. Install a wireless access point anywhere and forget the cat 5. The new wap's are at 108mbps too

**Jeff316** · October 11th, 2004, 05:17 PM

Well, I knew about the RJ45 couplers but was wondering if that was really the best way. All of these cables are run in my attic so I guess I wouldn't have to woory about them getting pulled apart or whatever.

**Jeff316** · October 11th, 2004, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by gazzak

Almost forgot to say, don't forget wireless. Install a wireless access point anywhere and forget the cat 5. The new wap's are at 108mbps too

While wireless is more than fast enough for my purposes I would rather have the wires. I only have 1 wireless card right now (for my good laptop) and have regular cards everywhere already...

**AmeriDan** · October 27th, 2004, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by Jeff316

While wireless is more than fast enough for my purposes I would rather have the wires. I only have 1 wireless card right now (for my good laptop) and have regular cards everywhere already...

add a cheap 5-8 port switch. You can find a $15 switch at newegg that will allow for future expansion of your wired network.

such as: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...128-005&depa=5