Shielded or Unshielded?

[Raj]

hi guys,
moved in to a new place a couple weeks ago, and was setting up a network.
I am gonna have to run cables outside the house and along the siding to the
other rooms. I know that regular Cat 5 wil have serious signal attenuation.
so then should I use shielded cat 5? Please advise as to what the best set up
for this situation would be. Wireless is not an option.

Thanks guys.

 

[AFB]

First, why is wireless not an option. Second, I would go with shielded and outdoor rated Cat5e or Cat6 for outside.

 

[Raj]

wireless is a little more money than my roommates want to spend, and there's too many walls around.

so then cat 5E "outside rated" where can i get it online for cheap?

Thanks Again,

 

[AFB]

How much do you need ?

 

[Raj]

500-600 feet?

 

[cmetz]

Raj, shielded cable is for situations where you expect to have major electromagnetic interference AND can properly ground one end of the shield. That's a specialized situation, you probably don't have it. It will also more than double the cost of the cable.

Running cable outside the house is a very bad idea. Life safety level bad idea, lightning and grounding issues in particular. I would strongly recommend you avoid doing it.

Go wireless. Really.

 

[AFB]

How does $20 sound for a wireless router ?

 

[cmetz]

Yeah, I was kinda surprised by the comment that wireless is more than they want to spend, considering that 802.11b is soooo cheap now. Doing the cabling themselves would cost some real money - doing it wrong will probably cost $40 or so in parts, and doing it right will cost easily more than $100.

Raj, seriously, check Hot Deals...