Copper Ethernet Extender

[wlee]

We have an ilegal spec network cable in our building. Old cat 5 that tests as 569" on the FLUKE. It was installed by the previous owners. The "powers that be" refuse to spend the $$$ to run fiber to the remote location ( WiFi doesn't work well enough ) It used to BARELY synch @ 10Mbps, but now can even do that. The only other option I've found is Ethernet Extenders. I found these boxes that sound like they'll do the trick. http://ethernetextender.com/

Anyone have any REAL world experience with them ? Comments ? ( besides, "stop being cheap and install fiber" )

 

[spidey07]

They work, but I hate them.

Oh, and install the fiber. It's pretty cheap.

 

[wlee]

I have requested fiber MANY times. Every time it gets shot down. They refuse to spend "that kind of money" for 1 user. The route to get back there is not easy ,and you need to use a lift-truck. Lots of obstacles along the way. I'm *NOT* gonna pay for it out of my pocket, but the user has been b*tching loud enough lately that they are willing to spend the $475 for this kit.

Thanks

 

[Agamar]

All I can say is that if they could do this without some kind of drawbacks, it would be great. Of course, I hope you at least have a really high quality Cat-5 cable installed.

 

[spidey07]

They use DSL like frequencies so there isn't much drawback except for added latency.

 

[wlee]

Well, the company has a 30day Money Back Guarantee, so I guess we'll try it.

The added latency will not be too much of a prob, as I long ago moved the users computer to the server room. They have to access it via a Thin Client.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: wlee
Well, the company has a 30day Money Back Guarantee, so I guess we'll try it.

The added latency will not be too much of a prob, as I long ago moved the users computer to the server room. They have to access it via a Thin Client.

is this user in such a difficult spot the equivalent of milton and you guys are just waiting for him to quit or something?

 

[cmetz]

wlee, is there any chance that you could insert a switch anywhere in the middle of the run? A $10 10/100 switch would probably be a way more cost effective option, and not much worse from a management perspective.

Take a look at the 3Com NetJack line, I think they actually have a PoE-powered managed switch for like $200-$300. It's designed for single-gang wall mounting, so it's small and low power.

 

[mxnerd]

I'm also thinking whether OP can put a switch in between? Isn't that each segment can be 100m = 323', with a switch in between it would have been 200m = 646'.

 

[wlee]

Actually, we're *NOT* trying to get rid of the user. His job is pretty important. He's in command of our paint and assembly shop. He does do quite a bit with Word and Excel docs. He also recieves quite a bit of email from customers. I only moved his *REAL* machine to the server room because all the lost packets were causing a lot of lockups of network threads. It's a pain to have an RDP session break and re-establish, but you don't suffer corrupted data as a result of it. It would be impractical to cut the wire and place a switch in the middle. That would put it in a VERY harsh area near a 4KW Laser and several welders. It's also 36' up to the ceiling beams were the cable is. It prob gets to 130 degrees in the summer. ( in that area ) This screams for armoured fiber, but they WON'T spend the $$$. It's not so much the cost of the fiber cable. You also have to buy fiber<--->copper tranceivers, jumpers, termination blocks, and the labor to have a pro install it is a killer too. Not something I would dare try to do myself.