External Cat5e advice.

[Lyrrad]

Hi

I trust I'll get the help required with this one.

I've tried wireless and homeplugs, and for streaming 1080p DTS mkv's it's just not good enough for me.

My plan is to use a Virgin supplied DIR-615 that has 4 lan ports. I need one for my PC, 1 for server, 1 for dreambox 500s, and possibly another one for another dreambox.

A few questions I need assistance with:

• Is CAT5e ok, of for future proofing is CAT6 the way to go?
• I will be running outside the house. Is external grade the way to go?
• If I have a server and a dreambox 500s next to each other, do I need to run 2 seperate CAT cables to them, or can I run to a hub/switch.

If I run to a switch/hub, will I lose speed?

Hopefully I have explained myself properly.


Thanks in advance

[oneman]

CAT5e is OK for gigabit. CAT 6 can be a pain to install but in theory future proofs for example you can HDMI extender over single cat6 but would required 2xCat5e.

Personally I use shielded Cat5e for running connections outside the house though there is external grade cable available if you really think you need it.

With switches remember that all devices on a switch share upload bandwidth when linked to another switch but not when talking to local devices. So if you have a media server and a couple of playback devices all on the same switch then no problem. However if you have a media server upstairs and playback devices on a second switch downstairs then limitation is the link speed between the switches. You will need to drop one cable per device to remove that limitation.

However saying that I don't think cascades switches are a problem, I have my file server on a gb switch in the loft and can do 4 or 5 HD streams at once around the house to devices on cascaded switches no problems. I think when I first tested it, at one point I had 8 HD streams to 8 seperate drvices going at once.

[Lyrrad]

CAT5e is OK for gigabit. CAT 6 can be a pain to install but in theory future proofs for example you can HDMI extender over single cat6 but would required 2xCat5e.

Personally I use shielded Cat5e for running connections outside the house though there is external grade cable available if you really think you need it.

With switches remember that all devices on a switch share upload bandwidth when linked to another switch but not when talking to local devices. So if you have a media server and a couple of playback devices all on the same switch then no problem. However if you have a media server upstairs and playback devices on a second switch downstairs then limitation is the link speed between the switches. You will need to drop one cable per device to remove that limitation.

However saying that I don't think cascades switches are a problem, I have my file server on a gb switch in the loft and can do 4 or 5 HD streams at once around the house to devices on cascaded switches no problems. I think when I first tested it, at one point I had 8 HD streams to 8 seperate drvices going at once.

So just to get this right, here is my intention.



Router in my home office which is downstairs. Hardwire this to my PC. From the router I'm gonna run one ethernet cable outside of the house to my garage. This is where my HP Proliant will reside. Before the proliant I will place a switch/hub [don't really know the difference at this stage]. From the hub I will connect to Proliant.

From the switch/hub I will run back outside the house then enter upstairs bedroom on 1 feed [dreambox 500s]. However I do have a Robert 83i radio which is working nicely wirelessly in the bedroom. (If I wanted to hardwire does it make sense to NOT run a second feed into bedroom but use another switch/hub? I'm using for internet radio, Last FM and FLAC music from server)

From the switch/hub just before the server I will run feed outside again but this time to the downstairs lounge. This will be for Acer Revo 3160. Again I may want to install second Dreambox 500s here too. This is the one that I'm unsure wether to run 2 cables from the hub near server or to do the same as I plan with the upstairs bedroom.

Thanks in advance.

[oneman]

There is a technical difference between hub and switches but all the consumer devices you see for sale are switches regardless if somebody calls them a hub or a switch.

You have a couple of options. Personally if I was installing a cable then I always install two as its not much more time or cost and then terminate then on a two port face box.

I assume your router is a 4 port 100mb device. So I would get a 8 port gb switch to begin with and plug your router into that. Something like this will be fine,

[ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/8-Port-Unmanaged-Gigabit-Desktop-Switch/dp/B000N9B688/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1301045905&sr=8-3]8-Port Unmanaged Gigabit Desktop Switch: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories[/ame]

Then run two cables to garage, two cables to revo and two cables upstairs. Plug your PC into the switch as well. Then upstairs you have two connections that you can expand with another switch in future.

If you are not having any other devices in your garage aside from the HP server then no need to install a switch there plus if as suggested you have two cables then that will give you an extra port anyway.

You can get cat6 faceplates fairly cheaply from amazon,
[ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/RJ45-Plate-Sockets-Keystones-Jacks/dp/B003OSUVNQ/ref=sr_1_cc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301046329&sr=1-1-catcorr]RJ45 Face Plate Wall Sockets Cat6 QUAD 4 Port with: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics[/ame]

[ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Plate-Sockets-Double-Keystones-Jacks/dp/B003OSRHNI/ref=pd_bxgy_ce_img_b]RJ45 Face Plate Wall Sockets Cat6 Double 2 Port with: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics[/ame]

Cablemonkey have 100m of external cat6 for ?60 or 300m for ?120
Cat6 UTP Cable

Also grab a punchdown tool while you are shopping

[Lyrrad]

Thank you for your information.

Why do you choose to use shielded Cat5e (I understand that it is for mains interference, but is it anymore weather proof) , and in what way can the Cat 6 be a pain to work with.

[oneman]

Thank you for your information.

Why do you choose to use shielded Cat5e (I understand that it is for mains interference, but is it anymore weather proof) , and in what way can the Cat 6 be a pain to work with.

I used shielded cat5e because had a reel going spare. It potentially could be have problems exposed to UV and frost, less concerned about rain. Though I have had my wiring in place for around 10 years now and cable looks fine.

Cat6 can be a pain if you are crimping on RJ45 connectors as tolerances are tighter and cable bulkier. If you are just going to face plates or a patch panel then you should be fine. Just buy the patch leads ready made. Also using cat6 gives you the option of transmiting HDMI around the house using a single cable.

[billy2]

i have been trying to get around this for days now , what iam am trying to do is stream my hd media to my media play down stairs but keep getting brackup in sound or pic, so i tryed the 5 Port Unmanaged Gigabit Desktop Switch as in your link and still having probs streaming iam also using a cat5 cable, my setup is like this, sorry Lyrrad for jumping in on your thread

[Lyrrad]

No problems, you have actually been a big help to me in the past, and I trust I'll learn from any response to your situation.

[oneman]

billy - any chance you move media playe and storage to same switch to test configuration ?

Are several devices accessing storage at the same time ?

I don't think its the netowrk unless you have a duff cable, I can stream HD (blu-ray rips @ 10GB) over 100mb no problem.

[Lyrrad]

There is a technical difference between hub and switches but all the consumer devices you see for sale are switches regardless if somebody calls them a hub or a switch.

You have a couple of options. Personally if I was installing a cable then I always install two as its not much more time or cost and then terminate then on a two port face box.

I assume your router is a 4 port 100mb device. So I would get a 8 port gb switch to begin with and plug your router into that. Something like this will be fine,


Then run two cables to garage, two cables to revo and two cables upstairs. Plug your PC into the switch as well. Then upstairs you have two connections that you can expand with another switch in future.

I'm nearly there.

My understanding from what you are suggesting is that I would have the
router to the switch, then pc to switch then a further 6 outputs from switch. I assume I could use 2 triple face plates in my office [router/PC room] then 2 feeds to garage, 2 feeds to revo and 2 feeds to bedroom.

However is there any reason I could not just have switch in garage. That would be just a double face plate in office BUT router to switch would be longer distance via faceplate and PC to switch also longer distance.

Do faceplates and/or distances have any bearing?

Sorry for being thicko, and I hope I've explained properly.

Also what's your opinion on [ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-539465-LAN-Tester/dp/B000U02IJ6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1301193865&sr=8-3"]a product like this?[/ame]. I know it will be a one off usage, but i kinda think it might be useful

[oneman]

You can have the switch in the garage if it more convient but then you will need multiple cables coming back to the house. If that is easier then go that route.

The only rule is that the max length from switch to device is 100m (assuming good connections).

As for the cable tester, I have one and its very useful for checking connections work. For example 100mb uses two pairs of cable and gb uses 4 pairs so sometimes you come across a cable that worked at 100mb but fails at gb. Though just be aware the device checks for continuity and not for and cross-talk or interferance.

For home installation I don't think interferance should be a problem, the only time I have seen it is when somebody routed a cable past a microwave oven.

[billy2]

I don't think its the netowrk unless you have a duff cable, I can stream HD (blu-ray rips @ 10GB) over 100mb no problem

thanks m8

will try 1 line from the Giga switch to the media player the only other thing i see are my hd-dvds are coming out at 15-22 GB and the blu-rays are coming in at any thing from 20-45 GB so wonder has the file size anything to do with it, will hav a play tonight and see what happens

cheers m8

[oneman]

thanks m8

will try 1 line from the Giga switch to the media player the only other thing i see are my hd-dvds are coming out at 15-22 GB and the blu-rays are coming in at any thing from 20-45 GB so wonder has the file size anything to do with it, will hav a play tonight and see what happens

cheers m8

same size files that I use then.

If you think about it, say file size is 30GB and running time is 100 minutes or 6,000 secs. Divide file size by time gives 5MB/s or 50mb which is about what you get on 100mb ethernet. In reality there are extras, alternate sound tracks, etc which don't get used so actual usage is less and even 45mb file should be fine. Your playback software should be able to tell you the bitrate for the media.

I take it your media player plays back the files OK when media is local ?

[billy2]

I take it your media player plays back the files OK when media is local

they play no probs from hard drive m8 might get me one of them cable testers see if the problem is the cable also wonder if i got rid of the 10/100 switch and replaced it with a Giga switch would this help

[oneman]

they play no probs from hard drive m8 might get me one of them cable testers see if the problem is the cable also wonder if i got rid of the 10/100 switch and replaced it with a Giga switch would this help

Do non-HD files playback ok ?