Network suggestions

[vhx]

Current:
Computer in the basement w/ cable modem.

Future:
Plan to add a new computer upstairs 25-35FT away, both computers need internet access.

I'm hesitant to use wireless since they are on different floor levels on opposite sides of the house, connection would be horrible IMO. Also price seems to be an issue since I would probably have to get a wireless card for both computers to work which is even more $$$.

I was looking into a regular wired router and then I would just use cable and put it through the floor which would be best. However I couldn't find ANY ethernet cables on Newegg and am having a hard time finding any cables sold seperately, let alone 25-30FT cables.

Any suggestions and help would be best.

EDIT: Also called my service provider and they don't allow 2 modems in the same household so that rules that out.

 

[azev]

cat5 cables of any length are pretty easy to find, if you know how to make your own cable you could go to home depot to buy bulk cable and plugs. If not places like newegg or compusa has them also.

 

[Tsaico]

You couldn't find any? That I hard to beleive. Here are some from new egg with "cat5e" as your search string. Or you can just click here.

And I have had decent luck with that distance up three floors (hardwood, I don't know if it imake s difference) So you may want to get one anyway. The other computer will need a card, but the one closest to the cable modem won't since all the ones I have ever seen supports both wired and wireless. So you may still want to consider it.

Also, azev's suggestion is also good if you are trying to do a custom run. I pull cables at work all the time and trying to get a pre-made cable through some of the things would be crazy hard if it had an end on it, instead of just a bare cable. Though if you do not already have the equipment, 40ish for the crimper, 5 for heads, 60 ish for the box, and all you want is a 30 ft cable, not really worth it.

 

[vhx]

Thanks for the link Tsaico.

Yeah I did do search. However CAT5 yields nothing of revelance on Newegg. I also checked the cabling section but didn't see anything of revelance their either.

Any good routers for suggestion as well?

EDIT: Newegg has 50FT cable for around $6. That's pretty decent.
This wireless router looks like it also supports wired as well. http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16833124190 am I wrong? Is this a good router?

 

[azev]

most consumer grade routers will do, they are all pretty much the same, especially wired router. If you are willing to shell out more $$ for real routers hehehe get some commercial soho rated router....

 

[Tsaico]

Originally posted by: vhx
Thanks for the link Tsaico.

Yeah I did do search. However CAT5 yields nothing of revelance on Newegg. I also checked the cabling section but didn't see anything of revelance their either.

Any good routers for suggestion as well?

EDIT: Newegg has 50FT cable for around $6. That's pretty decent.
This wireless router looks like it also supports wired as well. http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16833124190

This is from cnet CNET review and it is also today's wootwoot, (though it is a refurb) You can easily find this one on other websites like newegg.com Newegg.com NIB

 

[Tsaico]

Oh, I currently have the one you listed from newegg, and it works well, but a central heater/ac/blower unit created a blind spot in my house. Apparently the guts of a central air unit are effective at keeping radio signal out.

 

[51M0N]

Hi vhx, I have a wireless conection in my house and i have 3 floors, it is an old house and it has realy thick walls so the signal strength was afected.

The router was on the 3rd floor on one side of the house and i could'nt get any signal in the otherside of the house, Until i changed the position of the router and opted for a more central position on the 2nd floor.
Now i get a good signal stength all over.

I think wireless i a good technolagy but it's not without it's problems.
At least when you hardwire your PC in you know what your getting but at the sametime, it's nice to be able to sit in the garden with a nice pint and do some genral surfing on my laptop...

If i were you i would opt for a router that can do both, wired and wireless as they don't realy cost that much more than routers that just do one thing. You will then have just future profed your network for future expandability.

One last thing here is a link to a site that sales Cat 5e/6 UTP patch cables at various lengths:

http://www.universal-cables.co.uk/unshielded-cat6-pre-assembled.htm

I hope i managed to answer some of you questions or at least gave you a taste of my exsperiance of wireless.

 

[bwatson283]

Originally posted by: Tsaico
Oh, I currently have the one you listed from newegg, and it works well, but a central heater/ac/blower unit created a blind spot in my house. Apparently the guts of a central air unit are effective at keeping radio signal out.

No wonder i have a very weak signal in my bedroom at my apt. The wall between my room and router has parts of the ac unit in it. Well duh now im a tard. My router will have to be moved to the other side of the tv at the edge of the wall.

 

[vhx]

Thanks for the suggestion all. I was really about to buy a wireless router, then realized the AC/Heater and everything is between the new comp and old comp area. Will that Linksys wireless router still allow me to do a wired setup and then switch to wireless if I ever decide to set it up?

 

[51M0N]

The router i have is LINKSYS Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router and i have one PC wired in and the other 2 PC's and Laptop are using the wireless signal.
There are x4 RJ-45 jack ports in total so i could effectivly have another 3 PC's wired in and still use the wireless aswell.

Not sure if you could turn of the wireless if you wern't using it though!!

 

[bwatson283]

Originally posted by: 51M0N
The router i have is LINKSYS Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router and i have one PC wired in and the other 2 PC's and Laptop are using the wireless signal.
There are x4 RJ-45 jack ports in total so i could effectivly have another 3 PC's wired in and still use the wireless aswell.

Not sure if you could turn of the wireless if you wern't using it though!!

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