Is it possible to split CAT5 signal 2 directions?

[Beaker69]

Here's the deal. I have a Netgear Cable/DSL router. I have two computers connected to it obtaining Dynamic IP addresses. One computer is up stairs and one is down stairs. They are about 100 feet away from eachother. The router is located upstairs which is connected to the cable modem which is also upstairs. I personally am the one down stairs and I have two computers of my own. My problem is I have strung (1) 100foot CAT5 straight through cable all the way downstairs to my computer for internet access but I have two computers remember? So I want both of my computers to have access to the internet but I dont want to have to string another 100foot CAT5 cable all the way through the house to provide internet to my second downstairs computer. I was wondering if there is a gadget that will allow me to split the signal of a single CAT5 cable so I can use one cable to provide internet to 2 computers on the same cable leading from my Cable/DSL router?

If I can't access the internet on both downstairs computers at the same time I would be okay with that as the only thing I care about is not having to physically go behind my computer everytime I want to get on the internet and put the CAT5 cable in the NIC card of the computer I want to use.

If anyone has any other way I can get around this I'd be happy to hear it. Thank ya very much guys.

 

[Hossenfeffer]

Could get a cheap hub or switch for your two machines. A switch being the better choice (if I'm not mistaken)

 

[lowpost]

you'll need a hub with an uplink port, or a switch. If you get a hub without uplink, change you 100' cable's end to a crossover configuration.

 

[Citadel535]

I worked at Radio Shack and they have a one to two port ethernet plug that you can connect. I think it was like $20.00. Works just like a hub.

 

[JackMDS]

There are gizmos like this. You have you buy two of them for both side of the cable.

It has a Plug that makes use of the other pairs in the CAT5 and puts them to second normal plug.

NETWORK PAIR SPLITTER.

Using a Hub is better, and you can find a Hub for similar price.

 

[spyordie007]

does anyone know if the signal would produce too much interference if he ran it down the single cat 5? I've never tried it before so I dont know what would happen, but if he clipped both ends of the cat 5 cable and wired the remaining 4 to another ethernet jack, and of course do it to both sides so he would have 2 ethernet jacks comming out of both ends, then plugged 2 of them into his router, and the comptuers.

 

[lowpost]

seems like a bad idea to me.

 

[spyordie007]

<< seems like a bad idea to me. >>


yeah, but any idea if it would work or not?

 

[Woodchuck2000]

I'm actually connected now over a shared cable for reasons similar to Beaker69s.
It's no slower transferring files than over a straight crossover cable.

 

[slackware1995]

<< does anyone know if the signal would produce too much interference if he ran it down the single cat 5? I've never tried it before so I dont know what would happen, but if he clipped both ends of the cat 5 cable and wired the remaining 4 to another ethernet jack, and of course do it to both sides so he would have 2 ethernet jacks comming out of both ends, then plugged 2 of them into his router, and the comptuers. >>



Not only is this possible, some companies actually do this regularly to reduce cabling expenses. Cat5 has 4 pairs of wires, but 10/100BaseT only requires 2 pair.

All you have to do is to cut both ends of the cable, and put 2 connectors on each end using the same two pairs. I am sure that if you do a search on google (or your favorite web search) you can get diagrams of what pairs need to be hooked up to the ends are. (TX+, TX-, RX+, RX-)

Hope this helps...

 

[CollegeGuy]

Some companies do this to reduce cabling costs ... not too much anymore. Anyone who knows anything about networking will tell you that this is a big no-no. Don't be cheap, spend that extra 10 bucks and string another cable -- why introduce interference if you don't need to?

 

[Woodchuck2000]

<< Some companies do this to reduce cabling costs ... not too much anymore. Anyone who knows anything about networking will tell you that this is a big no-no. Don't be cheap, spend that extra 10 bucks and string another cable -- why introduce interference if you don't need to? >>


Yeah, but for us impoverished home users who only have one cat5 going from downstairs to upstairs there's no other option. Apart from buying a second 100mbit switch for about &Acirc;£40.

 

[slackware1995]

<<

<< Some companies do this to reduce cabling costs ... not too much anymore. Anyone who knows anything about networking will tell you that this is a big no-no. Don't be cheap, spend that extra 10 bucks and string another cable -- why introduce interference if you don't need to? >>


Yeah, but for us impoverished home users who only have one cat5 going from downstairs to upstairs there's no other option. Apart from buying a second 100mbit switch for about £40. >>



Unless you can find someone to do it for you for free, you'll find that the tools and parts to do this (one time) will cost you at least as much as a 4 Port 100Mbit Hub or even a switch.

So, although you _can_ do what you want, it doesn't make sense technically or financially. Just find a 4 Port Hub, and you'll be set downstairs, especially if you later decide to add _another_ computer down there.. hehe It'll happen some day.

 

[Abzstrak]

U can use the other two pair, but thats a bad idea.

I just saw a 5port 10/100 switch at frys for $29... I'd go that route

 

[spyordie007]

<< U can use the other two pair, but thats a bad idea.

I just saw a 5port 10/100 switch at frys for $29... I'd go that route >>


that's the route I would go too, much less hastle as well.

 

[JustinLerner]

No, it's not 'possible' to split a pair differential signal from any pair into a 'y' or splice without creating major signaling, mac and networking problems.

Yes, it's possible to use 2 pairs of a single CAT 5 cable for one computer and the other 2 pairs of wire for the other computer. The easiest way to do this is to use dual modular jacks on each end of the CAT 5 cable, then plug in the appropriate straight through patch cords to each jack on each side. There is no reason not to do this except the additional wire junctions on one side. Interference should not be a problem, since the IT industry has already used 25pair and larger CAT5 cables for Ethernet connectivity via patch panels. [This should readily demonstrate to most that Ethernet signals can be on adjacent pairs without problem (since the signal is differential, any significant interference or 'noise' is eliminated from the signal since both wires carry the same signal at different levels.)] I would personally go this route myself instead of buying another hub or switch.

Like JackMDS posted, there are splitters that will split used pairs with unused pairs. There is nothing wrong with this except that this method does not meet EIA/TIA specs, only the 10/100Base-T specification. However, the one listed in the URL only claims to work with 10Base-T (complies with the standard). This means that the splitter is not made to CAT 5 specs and some are available that meet CAT 5 Ethernet specs. Sorry, I have no references available.

Still, the easiest method for network connectivity as mentioned by others, would be to add another hub or switch downstairs on an uplink port, or crossover the cable to any Ethernet port.

 

[blstriker]

<< I worked at Radio Shack and they have a one to two port ethernet plug that you can connect. I think it was like $20.00. Works just like a hub. >>



I think this is what you're talking about: Ethernet 10-Base-T Splitter

It looks pretty cool to me. It's 10 not 100 mbps though. However, it appears that it does not require a power supply. In essense, a 2 port hub with an uplink. I think.

I kinda want to buy one just to play with it. Sheesh..

 

[spyordie007]

yeah but for $20 you may as well have bought a 5 port hub...
I guess that would be convienent if you didnt have power though

-Spy