Lan setup questions (outdoors involved too)

[kuurgen]

I am installing a LAN to support my newly
arriving cable modem.

Here are some questions I was hoping to get some help with.

My preferred method of installation:

Cable modem to uplink port on the hub and 3 downlinks to 3 machines.

(This may change if I think about the cost of extra IP's)

Here are my questions:

I need to run cable from the house to the garage using CAT5 (i'm guessing on this)

I've previously installed a telephone line (black outdoor type telephone line)

Is this cable comparable to CAT5? (or is it CAT5?)

I've yet to pick up the hub and the extra NIC cards. What type of connection will I be using a BNC or a RJ-45?

Eitherway, I'll have to drill a hole through the window sill to string this cable up.

Which leads me to the possiblility that I will have to crimp the connectors on the end of the cables using some magic formula.
(no way I can drill a hole the size of a rj-45 jack through the sill)

Diagrams and prayers would be helpful, what wire goes where!

Is there a special crimp tool for the rj-45
connector?

Where can I buy the CAT5 cable and connectors and crimp tool?

Would Home Depot carry this type of wire or is it strictly a computer store item?

I also am pricing this stuff out and have a link to their store where I will most likely be buying the hub and cards.
http://www.lchouse.com/

Any recommendations on hubs that they have and cheapest NIC that will do the job would be greatly appreciated.

I know I've asked alot, but physical network
setup is the one area where my knowledge is lacking. This is my first hub setup, I've done peer to peer but as I haven't yet purchased the hardware for the hub, I'm a bit in the dark. (I'm trying to make sure
that I don't spend unneccessary money on things I don't need).

Also thoughts on my choice on going straight to the uplink port with the modem as opposed to running Sygate. Good? Bad?

Lastly, I see there is a USB type Hub now.
I'm guessing it's merely convenient, but would you pick this over a standard hub for any reason besides all your pci/isa slots are full?

And lastly, thank you for taking the time to read this.

Regards,

Kuurgen

[Stu]

Kuurgen:

As to the networking hardware, you might want to try Data Comm Warehouse (www.warehouse.com), you can call 1-800-642-3064 and have them send you a catalog. They have everything to satisfy your networking needs, and their tech support people should be able to answer any of the questions you have fully.

Stu

[kill-9]

I need to run cable from the house to the garage using CAT5 (i'm guessing on this)

*Yes you will need CAT5*

I've previously installed a telephone line (black outdoor type telephone line)
Is this cable comparable to CAT5? (or is it CAT5?)

*Doubtful*

I've yet to pick up the hub and the extra NIC cards. What type of connection will I be using a BNC or a RJ-45?

*Use RJ45*

Eitherway, I'll have to drill a hole through the window sill to string this cable up.

Which leads me to the possiblility that I will have to crimp the connectors on the end of the cables using some magic formula.
(no way I can drill a hole the size of a rj-45 jack through the sill)

*Spouse won't let ya huh? just move your netwerk to the garage, you'll be better off*

Diagrams and prayers would be helpful, what wire goes where!

*You can do a search on the net for the correct pinout scheme for Ethernet, (or we can post one here) buy a cheap cable tester and lots of RJ45 ends*

Is there a special crimp tool for the rj-45
connector?

*Yes*

Where can I buy the CAT5 cable and connectors and crimp tool?

*You can get the CAT5 and a crimper from just about any telecom, networking or electronics store (forget Radio Shack)*

Would Home Depot carry this type of wire or is it strictly a computer store item?

*Nay, unless they have a new computer section I haven't seen ;-)*

I also am pricing this stuff out and have a link to their store where I will most likely be buying the hub and cards.
http://www.lchouse.com/

Any recommendations on hubs that they have and cheapest NIC that will do the job would be greatly appreciated.

*Dlink makes good equipment for a good price*

I know I've asked alot, but physical network
setup is the one area where my knowledge is lacking. This is my first hub setup, I've done peer to peer but as I haven't yet purchased the hardware for the hub, I'm a bit in the dark. (I'm trying to make sure
that I don't spend unneccessary money on things I don't need).

Also thoughts on my choice on going straight to the uplink port with the modem as opposed to running Sygate. Good? Bad?

*You will have to run some sort of proxy, unless you have static (or dynamic IP's) from you ISP for all your machines*

Lastly, I see there is a USB type Hub now.
I'm guessing it's merely convenient, but would you pick this over a standard hub for any reason besides all your pci/isa slots are full?

*USB hub is for USB devices: scanners, cams etc, you need a data hub or switch*

And lastly, thank you for taking the time to read this.

[kill-9]

It seems that this question gets asked a lot. Brand skippy new home LAN's... Does this forum have a FAQ I missed? Maybe some standard URL's to point to?

Or maybe some industrious soul(s) could werk on one... :-)

[Bman]

I live in houston, and the Home Depot here has everything you will need for the cable. I just bought a crimper and cable for about $30.00. As for your dilema of BNC or RJ-45, the NIC's will play a role in that. Some have dual connections, some don't.

[JBJ]

The black telephone cable that you used is set up to have a resistance to UV damage and I'm about 99% sure that it wasn't CAT5. You have to use CAT5, if you want above 1Mbps and less interferance. UV will destroy the jacket of a cable in a short period of time, unless it's designed to withstand it. You will have a lot of trouble finding CAT5 with a UV resistance rating. If you do find it, they'll probably make you buy at least 1000', but anything is possible. Don't expect anyone at HomeDepot to understand this concept. My suggestion is to bury some PVC conduit between your house and your garage. I know it's a pain in the ass, but far less a pain in the ass than having to replace your broken down cable all the time, plus it's a nicer install. Home Depot does sell all this stuff now...finally. They're a bit more expensive than industrial supply stores (ie Graybar), but not significantly. If you don't want to crimp RJ45 connectors on the cable. You can always buy RJ45 jacks and just punch the cable down. The jacks even show you what color goes where. Home Depot sells these jacks (made by Leviton) they even come with a little disposable punch down tool. Then all you have to do is buy little CAT5 patch cables to plug between the jacks and the NIC's.

[Datadoc]

Please be aware that most guidelines warn about the potential for damage from lighting strikes. Any cable strung above ground between the house and garage is vulnerable to lightning, which could end up frying any equipment attached at both ends! Not good if you have a lot of nice computer equipment.

Other factors to consider are:
Proximity to power lines - they may cause interference with unshielded Cat-5 cable.
Moisture affecting buried cables - there are gel-filled Cat-5 cables that stop moisture issues, but they are more expensive.

I'm still working on a good solution for networking the garage office - I may end up using a line-of-sight optical link, or wireless solution.

Two of my friends blew their modems in lightning strikes, and that was with approved wiring - if you just string the cable up you're taking your chances - a lightning strike could even cause a serious fire, and grounding Cat-5 would be very difficult, as there are so many individual wires.