Townhouse prewired with CAT5 cable. Now what?

[Rick67]

johngute, I think I have it figured out but I could be way off. I live in the Vancouver, WA area.

 

[ScottMac]

I believe you are on the right track.

HD might also have a cheap circuit toner, or continuity-style circuit tester (you plug in a loop at the remote end, and the reader on the closet end ... move jack-to-jack until it sees the loop device on the remote end).

Good Luck

Scott

 

[Rick67]

I picked up the data module at HD yesterday along with a Ideal LinkMaster UTP/STP Tester. I installed the data module, removed one CAT5e cable at a time from the voice module and wired it into the 4-Pair 110 connectors on the data module. I then used the LinkMaster to determine which CAT5e jack it went to in the house. I ran four of the CAT5e cables to the data module. These will be used for two PC's upstairs and two game systems downstairs. All lines tested good and are ready whenever I get around to getting a router.

What router should I buy?

I want to thank everyone that helped me get this all worked out.

 

[Michael]

There are many different 4 port home routers. You can get a decent one for $40 - $50. If you need to expand in the future you could buy a switch or hub to go between the router and the cable.

Do you have cable internet service yet? Most cable internet services only give you one IP for one computer. If you install the router before they show up, they'll see the router right away.

The D-Link 604 router has been going on sale at Best Buy and other places with a rebate that makes it very cheap. Linksys and a few other companies make ok routers as well.

Michael