Ethernet connection: Any value ?

[Whitworth]

Any use in this day and age for/of Eathernet cable run to a garage or out building?
Laptops, chrome books & tablets don't have ports. All printers are wifi. Even desktops are moving away from hardwire ports to built in wifi.

Am I missing something that CAT5 or CAT6 cable can offer ?

Once the trench is filled, ain't digging it back up !

 

[slip knot]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

Drop an extra conduit in. you will regret it if you dont. BTDT.

 

[AndyCBR]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

I would definitely recommend a hard line to a detached building. Wifi is flaky especially the further you get from the access point.

Then you can set up a wireless access point in the shop if you wish.

At a minimum run a spare conduit or two for future needs also (doorbell, intercom, phone, cable, alarm, video, who knows what 20 years from now).

I have all of my streaming devices hardwired (Apple TV, PS3/4). The hardwired connection is much more reliable.

Hope this helps.

 

[ABSTIFFGS]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

Absolutely I would install at least 2 cat 5e/6 cable. Maybe an RG6 coax while you're at it. Better to have it than to want it...

 

[augustus]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

i would run the cat if you can

 

[sselander]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

hardwire is always better. Not just for speed and reliability, but security as well.

 

[Junkman]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

I put in a spare conduit when I did my underground. Now, I wish that I had installed another 3 or 4 conduits. Plastic is cheap, and goes together quickly. Unless you are on a strict budget, then spring for the extra money, and install the extra tubes. When I did mine, a few people said to put in a few extra, but I thought that I wouldn't ever use them. I was wrong. Don't make the same mistake as I and many others have.

 

[PhantomEB]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

When my building, electrical and gas line permits are finalized I am putting in 2 extra conduits for just cause. One will have cat cable, so I can run a wifi router out in the garage for max reception. House will have 1.5" conduit ran from utility room to the back bedroom where these conduits will end up and an access panel in the back bedroom to accommodate future upgrades.

 

[ForceFed70]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

It's cheap, might as well run it. Doesn't need to be used for computer. Could end up using it for telephone, alarm system, security cameras, etc.

 

[zendriver]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

Waste of time and money, IMO. I guess you could probably run some telegraph wire in there, while you are at it.

If you're really worried about actually needing it later. Run pull strings.


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[gtae07]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

I'd planned to do so but decided not to mess with pulling ethernet from inside the house. I just bought a wireless extender and plugged it in on the wall closest to the house.

If I were building the house and shop new together, I'd have it installed.

 

[TTA89]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

Remote Wifi access point and POE Security Cameras are why I'm doing it.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

For me, the biggest advantage for WIRED Ethernet is Gigabit speed. If you are doing file sharing on you LAN, this is a must !

If you are installing the wire in a conduit, I would use CAT 6 (heavier gauge conductor, less likely to break when pulled).

 

[jeffmoss26]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

Do it now, or regret it later!

 

[My Old Tools]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

You may find that you need a wireless access point in the shop. Once you find out the house WIFI is flakey, it's too late to add the wire for a separate access point.

 

[nh_yota]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

As long as you run a secondary conduit now you can always fish whatever cables you need through it later. Go with 1.5" so it's easier to fish the wires through.

 

[rlitman]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

I would definitely recommend a hard line to a detached building. Wifi is flaky especially the further you get from the access point.

Then you can set up a wireless access point in the shop if you wish...

+1

My detached garage is only a couple of yards from my house, and the closest WiFi AP in my house is in a room facing the garage. WiFi was acceptable in my garage until I tried to stream Netflix onto the TV. That was when I realized the WiFi was not good enough, and I was quite glad I had a Cat5e wire that had been sitting unused for 10 years. I put a new AP in the garage, and now my signal is flawless for wireless devices there (plus the AP has a built in switch that I'm now using for IP cams).

 

[laurie71]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

I've been on 100% wifi for years now; the only Ethernet cable in my house is between the cable modem and the router. Even my barn, 300'+ away from the house, gets service over a point-to-point wireless link. I'd run extra conduit to accommodate future needs as others have suggested, but I wouldn't bother pulling ethernet cable through because I can't imagine ever needing it...

L.

 

[jkeyser14]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

as soon as you and the wife want to both watch netflix in HD in different rooms you will wish you had a hard wired line.

 

[Falcon67]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

as soon as you and the wife want to both watch netflix in HD in different rooms you will wish you had a hard wired line.

That. You'll get better wifi anyway running a cable from the house router to a router in the shop. And you'll have a connection for any real dedicated devices, like Dish or Direct mini-boxes, cameras, etc. Wifi, especially 5 gHz, works good but will not be like a wire for a long time yet due simply to overhead on the radios.

 

[nehog]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

As others say, drop a couple (or three) runs of 5e out there. Handy for some many things such as low voltage control of doors and lights, security cameras, etc.

 

[Ray916MN]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

Essential to have a wired Ethernet connection in my shop. All metal exterior and interior really knocks down cell and wifi signal strength. Also the wired connection does a better job of supporting streamed HD video to the TV in the shop.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

Even if you don't run any wire now, put the conduit in the trench before it's closed up. 3/4" PVC conduit is cheap, just over $2/10' stick.

 

[gtae07]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

as soon as you and the wife want to both watch netflix in HD in different rooms you will wish you had a hard wired line.

You mean you can stream more than one thing at once?!


(I hate my f'ing ISP...)

 

[Pwrgeek]

Eathernet connection: Any value ?

I put in wired Ethernet because of security cams. I have 5 cams in the shop that go back to the server in the house (soon to be relocated to the shop when I get the office built). and that link runs at 150Mbps 24/7. That would overwhelm any sort of consumer wifi connection but my cheap wired switches do it with ease.

I'll just leave my usual recommendation to use fiber here. Copper Ethernet between detached structures is a bad idea.


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[Falcon67]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

I'll just leave my usual recommendation to use fiber here. Copper Ethernet between detached structures is a bad idea.


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Yea, but once you price it out - why. $129 for 200' of mm 62.5 patch cord, then converters or switches with fiber SFP ports = $$$. We've got 40 buildings with anywhere from 25 to 100 pair copper running in and out, only Lord knows how much abandon-in-place AT&T copper strung everywhere. No problems in the last 18 years. Any copper to VoIP/Ethernet lines do get a surge protector on the Cat 3 side. We have something like 80,000' of fiber in the ground too. And I suppose if I had to have fiber at the house, I could peel a stick off that 14,000' 8 pair SM spool sitting behind the horse barn.

 

[Pwrgeek]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

Yea, but once you price it out - why. $129 for 200' of mm 62.5 patch cord, then converters or switches with fiber SFP ports = $$$. We've got 40 buildings with anywhere from 25 to 100 pair copper running in and out, only Lord knows how much abandon-in-place AT&T copper strung everywhere. No problems in the last 18 years. Any copper to VoIP/Ethernet lines do get a surge protector on the Cat 3 side. We have something like 80,000' of fiber in the ground too. And I suppose if I had to have fiber at the house, I could peel a stick off that 14,000' 8 pair SM spool sitting behind the horse barn.

Yep it costs about $100 more to do the job right. In return you don't blow up thousands of dollars worth of networking gear / electronics when there is a nearby lightning strike or switching surge. IEEE 802.3 only has 1000V of galvanic isolation and is not design to be multi premise.


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[Falcon67]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

I got $150 in routers at the house, I can take the hit LOL.

I can tell you this - over the years I've been on the job here, we have lost a LOT more commercial grade network equipment - all fiber links in and out, fiber stack cables, copper Cat whatever to the wall inside the building, UPS on all switch stacks - in "modern" buildings built to codes from about the 1980s on than we have in the "ancient" ones, like resident halls built in the 1930s. Go figure.

 

[78Bird]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

Wireless is slower (rarely get the rated throughput)
wireless is spotty if there's interference, walls, and distance can be an issue.
Wireless can be hijacked, hacked, stolen bandwidth (security is only so-so)

Anecdote, was using wireless on my upstairs gaming PC, and constantly had odd connection issues and delays... Signal strength was fine, but it was only Ok in use. Ran a line and hard-wired the PC in, no more issues, and a noticeable increase in overall speed.

If you have neighbors, the more of them run wireless, the more they step on your toes. There's only so many frequencies to use, and i am convinced it has an effect.

Wireless is ok for browsing or using your phone, but streaming, downloading, gaming, and anything that needs steady low latency bandwidth just works better when hard wired.

 

[bottom feeder]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

Run a conduit or two just in case. Just be sure not to have any sharp bends or elbows that will make it difficult or impossible to pull cable later.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

Definitely put in conduit.

If u dont need ethernet at the moment at least u have the conduit in place.

BTW its spelled ETHERNET not eathernet

 

[Bigbandguy]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

+1

My detached garage is only a couple of yards from my house, and the closest WiFi AP in my house is in a room facing the garage. WiFi was acceptable in my garage until I tried to stream Netflix onto the TV. That was when I realized the WiFi was not good enough, and I was quite glad I had a Cat5e wire that had been sitting unused for 10 years. I put a new AP in the garage, and now my signal is flawless for wireless devices there (plus the AP has a built in switch that I'm now using for IP cams).

My shop is about 75 feet from the house.. In Winter the WiFi was decent but recently the vegetation has grown up around the shop and the connection has gotten flaky. My connection is a typical USB wireless dongle on the end of a USB cord. Today I read up on "Cantennas" and installed the dongle about two inches from the end of a Pringles can. Signal strength went up immediately and connection no longer flaky. I would recommend at least trying this before investing in a hard wired connection.

 

[markietas]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

I don't know why people seem to get the idea that cat 5/6 cable is expensive I bought 1000 ft of Direct burial rated cat 6 for $80 on Amazon it even came with termination tools.

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[NUTTSGT]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

Definitely put in conduit.

If u dont need ethernet at the moment at least u have the conduit in place.

BTW its spelled ETHERNET not eathernet

Good catch, title edited.

 

[checkthisout]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

I don't know why people seem to get the idea that cat 5/6 cable is expensive I bought 1000 ft of Direct burial rated cat 6 for $80 on Amazon it even came with termination tools.

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That's a one time deal if that and there is no way that's gel-filled or solid copper.

 

[markietas]

It's wasn't gel filled but it was solid, I know some people wouldn't bury non gel filled but that's what it called itself. And I never said they were high quality termination tools but they worked good enough to wire a patch panel. I'll see if I can find a link

This is pretty much what I got without the crimp/multi tool but that was 3 years ago.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00A...C_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=1000+cat+6

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[wyliesdiesels]

It's wasn't gel filled but it was solid, I know some people wouldn't bury non gel filled but that's what it called itself. And I never said they were high quality termination tools but they worked good enough to wire a patch panel. I'll see if I can find a link

This is pretty much what I got without the crimp/multi tool but that was 3 years ago.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00A...C_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=1000+cat+6

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nope! Not solid copper. Its CCA(copper coated aluminum). That stuff is ****. Not U/L listed, so it cant be ran inside.

Guess u missed the disclaimer:

"Important Information
Legal Disclaimer : Please note this Ethernet cable is made from Copper Clad Aluminum and therefore not UL, NEC, ETL or TIA certified. Copper Clad Aluminum cable is not recommended for POE (Power Over Ethernet) applications."

 

[markietas]

My apologies as that's not the exact cable I had bought, I just searched for a few seconds to provide a "proof of concept" type thing. Rest assured the cable I have is pure solid copper.

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[rharman]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

< snip >

If you have neighbors, the more of them run wireless, the more they step on your toes. There's only so many frequencies to use, and i am convinced it has an effect.

< /snip >

Have you tried changing the channel. Most everyone leaves it at the default but changing it can sometimes help.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Re: Eathernet connection: Any value ?

Have you tried changing the channel. Most everyone leaves it at the default but changing it can sometimes help.

If its 2.4ghz theres only 3 non overlapping channels(1,6,11) and only 11 channels total. So if theres a bunch of access points with a signal level of say -70db or better, you WILL have interference issues.

Changing the channel may or may not help. Doing so blindly without doing a wireless scan and knowing whats already out there may give one the same poor signal quality and interference.

If u have an android device, u can download WiFi Analyzer and scan the WiFi airwaves to see whats in use.

5Ghz is way better as there is more spectrum and channels available