Network Wiring

[Wordbiker]

I've been working on the ghetto network here, and I've ran a lot of cat5E cables through the house. It's an older house and retrofitting the wires is a tough job. I'm running the wires in-wall, and using keystone jacks. There's no crawlspace to speak of below the house, other than a root cellar, and the attic is blazing hot! :flames: So, I've had to run some wires in odd places.
Anyway, I've got 4 computers hooked up to a SpeedStream router that I had help with configuring for DSL.
Problem: The DSL keeps cutting in and out, even worse than the crappy dialup I had ages ago. It may just be the ISP, as they've been working on upgrading the lines to fiber optic around here, but I was thinking....could it be interference from power lines inside the house? Some of the cables I had to run in proximity to power outlets, etc, and some cables were run through the same computer grommet as powerstrip plugs. Anyone know just how close unsheilded cat5E cables can be run to power? Could the cutting in and out be due to me spending only $25 on the router?(Hey, I'm a po' boy) Thanks in advance :):cheers:

[Nosferatu]

Well I just tested something like that this weekend. I ran a networkcable near a power cord for an 2000W airco at full blast.
When I got within about 4 inches the connection dropped. So I think that could be the problem. Can you test it by just running soem cat 5 through the hallway to avoid the power outlets?
If then the connection stays up, you found the problem. It would be a waste of all the time you put in the wiring but that's life

[Wordbiker]

Well I just tested something like that this weekend. I ran a networkcable near a power cord for an 2000W airco at full blast.
When I got within about 4 inches the connection dropped. So I think that could be the problem. Can you test it by just running soem cat 5 through the hallway to avoid the power outlets?
If then the connection stays up, you found the problem. It would be a waste of all the time you put in the wiring but that's life

Good call, as one of the mysteries was why when I ran a cable on the floor AROUND the walls instead of under them, my son's machine would connect. On the other end, the keystone jack is right next to a power outlet. One bugger I found was a bad passthrough connector. *sigh* I may have to go through ALL my cabling and make sure there's some distance from power outlets and wires. I've already moved some things, but not much improvement as far as dropping internet. I'll try a few more things, and as a last resort, I can call a network specialist that has diagnostic tools. It's worth it to move the cables, as I won't have to EVER do it again if it's working right. :thumb: :cheers:

[Beefy]

Instead of all this trouble, wouldn't a wireless set up be easier?

[minibubba]

probably, but cost may be a factor... as well as speed

[Wordbiker]

If you read my other post then you'd know I'm on a pretty tight budget. I already had a wired router, so despite the pain in the @$$ of running the wiring, the materials are cheap. Speed is also a factor, as is security with wireless. With as many computers as I want to have online, the PCI cards alone would break me. Once I can afford it, I will go wireless with at least my main computers, or perhaps even optical cable which I can run in the same conduits and routing passages I'm establishing now. I could then abandon the cables I'm running, or use them for something else. Hmmm....perhaps sound.:idea:
PS: I went to a wireless seminar, and it has it's OWN set of problems. I just read today that the 802.11g standard was just finalized, and it's not as fast as first theorized.

[Beefy]

Ahh, ok. My bad. :)

[Wordbiker]

Naw Beefy, it's cool. I really just posted to see if others have had the same problems with wired networking and what solutions they'd come up with. Wireless is a good call and I'd do it if I could pony up. :cheers:

[Wiggo]

That's the best thing about ownin' a place with plenty of under floor space, I just drill a hole and send a kid under to run the new line to where it's needed. One thing to be careful of is power lines, do not run parallel with them and if ya must cross one then it must be done at 90 degrees. (BTW wireless isn't up to my speed either)

[Wordbiker]

Wellllllll.....I ponied up. :D
Next week I'm receiving a Netgear 802.11G router and an ethernet bridge. This solves the problem of getting networking out to my shop, sets me up for wireless networking with a laptop, and saves me future wiring for expansion. The ethernet hub will go out to the shop where it'll be hooked up to an 8-port switch. The entire network will be on all the time, and not dependent on any one computer acting as a server for another. I can add more switches as necessary. :thumb: :cheers:

[kane2g]

I have drop down ceiling in my basement, so no worries there. :thumb:
But I feel your pain. It took me a little bit of manuvering to stay away form the power lines.

[Wordbiker]

Yeah, I still have the interior network to deal with. No problem out in the shop, but inside the house....I still have work to do. I ordered a simple network wiring tester. Hopefully that will help diagnose and get my problem resolved. :cheers: