So I'm dumping my wireless for a more traditional approach due to far too many walls interfering with my long multiplayer bouts. Disconnecting in the middle of a knife kill isn't fun.

So I'm going to buy some cat5e ethernet cable and run it from my home run to my gaming computer. I will be doing this outside of the wall as opposed to inside. Any precautions? I plan on just stapling the cable to the wall and thats it, nothing fancy.

Tips? Concerns?

Thanks, as this is my first time running a large amount of Ethernet cable.

Make sure you buy decent stuff, I've stapled cheap cable before, and it's just gone straight through the outer casing. Maybe get some conduit, or use plastic hooks (the type with a little nail?)

This is what I'm looking into.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...3&CatId=760

Cables To Go 100-Foot CAT5e 350Mhz Snagless Patch Cable - Grey


Also, gonna use the special cable staples.

So, there is indeed a possibilty the cable could be damaged if done incorrectly? What are the chances?

You might consider hiding the cable under the carpet along the wall if it's loose. (Assuming you have carpet, of course.)

If that's not an option, then I would recommend those hook things that suchuwato is talking about. I've used them when I needed to make a long run of coax cable. Only one hole instead of two and it would look neater.

I'd personally run a conduit where possible, as it prevents weathering, both wet and dry. In fact, I'd be more concerned about heat than dampness ... you don't want melting cables in the summer, so a dumb rat chewing on them.

No carpet, no rats and minimal heat, Also, I can't find a conduit thats cheap, so I might as well just get the cat5e. It's easy enough to replace and I'm not worried about the labour. Hell, it's fun.
I just hope it lasts me longer than a year.

I suppose the staple would work then.

I'd go for Cat6 tho', it's no more expensive and the stuff I use works better than any Cat5/5e I've used. (Clicky!)

Actually, it is a bit more expensive. Its also more stiff as well I heard, and conducts worse interference. But thanks. cat5e is excellent for gaming since I'm not going at gigabit speeds.

i dient know there was cat6 whats the diff to cat5?

google n00b! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category_6_cable

Yeah, 550 mhz instead of, 300 I think? Its better for networks where you need things NOW.

NEVER EVER run CAT5 cabling under carpet after a while the rough surface on the bottom of the carpet will wear the hell out of the cabling, I learned this the hard way and I was using top of the line CAT5 cabling. Didn't you ever feel the bottom of carpet it's really rough. Stick to conduit's my friends



Another little project you could do is add CAT5 sockets to the walls. I was sick and tired of wireless so I added a CAT5 sockets to every room in the house. Plus it made it easier on family that comes to my house with a laptop or something and needs high speed internet instantly. All they do is plug it up to the CAT5 socket in the wall and their set. It was a nice little project and fun too. Gave my house a little tech upgrade IMO. You can purchase the sockets and wall plates for a couple of bucks at any home hardware store

*phew* lucky I just got a bunch of walls and sideboards =)

Stryker125

I'd definately re-consider using conduit. You only need to nick the insulation once and water/moisture will find it's way in. This might not have an effect overnight but could cause problems in the future.

Consider using plastic conduit. I have used it before and it bends easily with the use of a pipe bending spring and heatgun. The use of the PVC glue and couplings makes it easy to join lengths up and if done carefully provides a strong watertight joint.

Hope this helps.

Don't forget the maximum distance is 100m. I don't know how far you are going but bends and turns add up quick.

I doubt this is a problem unless you live in a mansion.

Alright, I'm going to use a conduit. Where can I get it? Home Depot? And how much does it usually cost? I'm looking at 100 feet worth.

is there any reason why running it outside is necessary? I've run 3 wired connections through my house. I run it up the wall from a outlet and into the attic, across the attic and down the wall where i plan on putting the other outlet. Pull the cable through the circuit box, splice into the outlet itself, install the cover, and bam. perfectly integrated. cat5e at lowes is about 17-25 cents a foot or something.

10' of half-inch conduit runs about a buck...
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=prod...&lpage=none

Yeah but if he buys it by the foot where it has to be cut then he is going to have to screw with attaching RJ-45 connectors to the end of the cabling and need a crimper. It's better to buy it done already but that will cost more cause when they cut it for you at lowes it doesn't come with the connectors and all that so your going to be spending more.

it depends on how he wants to do it. i like having things integrated. having a wall jack is nice. it works out to about the same price if not less. you can't find 100 feet of networking cable in a local store under 30 or 40 bucks anyways. 17cents or less a foot = 17 bucks for 100 feet. a 3 pack of jacks is about 6-8 bucks. circuit box and plate = about $1.50 a foot. this method also leaves no need for conduit.

assuming that you can access inside the wall, my way is the way to go. obviously if you live in an apartment or you would have to run cable in the lower floors of a 2 or more story house, this isn't the way to go.

also, the jacks you buy at lowe's now (at least the one here) come with the plastic pusher piece to hook each wire into the jack. no need for crimpers, etc. only a knife/pair of scissors to knock off the outer sheath

I mean, I'd love to be able to run the wire within my walls, But that's just not going to happen due to me not knowing what the hell is in my walls. For all I know an inch behind the drywall is a concrete wall. So running it on the floor/sideboards is an easier way. And if it needs replacing, I can just re-staple.

But thanks guys, You've been a great help.

No prob that's what we are here for

BTW good luck

Thanks guys, got the cable and it's workin awesome!