ethernet switch to extend cable distance

[queijo]

I have a router/modem in one building and a cable runs 30 metres to a small office. from there, I want to extend to another building about 75/80 meters. I bought a switch to place in the office so to boost the signal. It appears not to have worked. I fixed the RJ45 myself and thought I am not able to test before use, I'm fairly sure I did it correctly. The switch is new and works. I used cat 5e cable (it is not outdoor cable but the cable runs outside along a wall and roof. It was all I could get at the time but my colleague used the same for approx the same distance). Is it possible I need a modem instead? I researched this and spoke to a local computer shop so I am not sure why it would not work! Any ideas / thoughts gratefully received!

 

[Joe Porter]

Try plugging a short Ethernet cable from the switch into the laptop/pc. If it can connect like that it indicates a faulty Ethernet cable between the buildings. I presume you are using a cat 5 cable. They should be fine for lengths of up to 100 meters so distance should not be a problem. What is your setup?

Is it Modem > Router > Ethernet to other building > Switch. You are using the correct ports on the switch and the router to connect the two together? What is the switch you have got and which router?

 

[bill001g]

It is likely the cable especially if you put the end on yourself and you do not have a lot of practice. Even when you get the wire order perfect the end may just not make good enough contact on one wire. They look perfectly fine but don't work. Pretty much as a home user you just cut the end off and try again. The equipment that will detect a wire that is connected but not good enough to pass data is way to costly. Even a professional installer gets one wrong now and then which is why they have the testers to avoid a return trip.

It is not the best idea to run indoor cable outside but if you keep it away from soil and protect it from the sun it will last quite a while outside. Rain will not bother it but sitting in standing water for a long time will damage the plastic eventually.

Your overall design is ok a switch should cause you no issues.

 

[jsmithepa]

I'm fairly sure I did it correctly.

^This.

I don't like it that you said ABOUT 80 and it's outdoors. When you approach the prescribe 100m, little imperfections, little noise before are now amplified.

Suggest a pre-made shielded cable or go fiber.

 

[queijo]

Try plugging a short Ethernet cable from the switch into the laptop/pc. If it can connect like that it indicates a faulty Ethernet cable between the buildings. I presume you are using a cat 5 cable. They should be fine for lengths of up to 100 meters so distance should not be a problem. What is your setup?

Is it Modem > Router > Ethernet to other building > Switch. You are using the correct ports on the switch and the router to connect the two together? What is the switch you have got and which router?

Hi Joe - many thanks for the ideas. It's the first time I tried a set up like this.

Set-up is Modem > Ethernet cable for 20m (which works fine) into an office > then, switch in office near my laptop with cable running approx 75m to other building. Yes, using cat 5e cable. My colleague here has one running 85m from the same modem and cat5e (non pvc outdoor) and worked fine for 4 years (only just replaced).

The switch is a TP-Link 8 port 10/100Mbps. The Modem is I believe provided by MEO ( I am on a farm in Portugal, MEO is like BT 🙂 ) Should it work like this or may I need to add a router?

I will try checking with short cable from switch into laptop when I can get my hands on one - prob. tomorrow. . .

Thanks again

 

[queijo]

I'm fairly sure I did it correctly.

^This.

I don't like it that you said ABOUT 80 and it's outdoors. When you approach the prescribe 100m, little imperfections, little noise before are now amplified.

Suggest a pre-made shielded cable or go fiber.

Hi J - ok, yes, I was thinking also about fiber and also the option of a outdoor cable with RJ45 already fitted though circumstance mean I got the cat 5e standard - though maybe a cat 6 wouldve been better.

 

[queijo]

It is likely the cable especially if you put the end on yourself and you do not have a lot of practice. Even when you get the wire order perfect the end may just not make good enough contact on one wire. They look perfectly fine but don't work. Pretty much as a home user you just cut the end off and try again. The equipment that will detect a wire that is connected but not good enough to pass data is way to costly. Even a professional installer gets one wrong now and then which is why they have the testers to avoid a return trip.

It is not the best idea to run indoor cable outside but if you keep it away from soil and protect it from the sun it will last quite a while outside. Rain will not bother it but sitting in standing water for a long time will damage the plastic eventually.

Your overall design is ok a switch should cause you no issues.

Thanks for the thoughts Bill - and clarifying about design - at least I am on the right track! I also figured maybe my RJ45's not properly done - if I can get hold of a tester would be useful but interesting what you say they the tester may read as ok but might not be decent enough for data . . .

I'll check with a short cable the switch is ok and if needed have another go on the RJ45s cheers!

 

[queijo]

thanks for all your comments and thoughts - very helpful and useful to help me think about - will check see switch is ok with short cable firstly. Maybe I have even done something ultra basic like plug in the wrong ports on the switch - the ports are just 1 - 8 numbered so I guessed I just plug in 1 for cable from modem and two for cable out of switch to laptop . . .

 

[queijo]

I'm fairly sure I did it correctly.

^This.

I don't like it that you said ABOUT 80 and it's outdoors. When you approach the prescribe 100m, little imperfections, little noise before are now amplified.

Suggest a pre-made shielded cable or go fiber.

 

[queijo]

yes, a short cable works fine - so I will work on the RJ45s for the long cable 🙂 thanks. Let you know how it goes

 

[bill001g]

A added thought. Be sure you used copper cable there is a lot of CCA cable being sold as cat5e or even cat6. CCA cable does actually pass the certification test for eia/tia cable. CCA cable has issue at longer distances and has more issue getting it properly terminated. You really should never use CCA cable

 

[queijo]

A added thought. Be sure you used copper cable there is a lot of CCA cable being sold as cat5e or even cat6. CCA cable does actually pass the certification test for eia/tia cable. CCA cable has issue at longer distances and has more issue getting it properly terminated. You really should never use CCA cable

Ok - cheers - I did realise the potential better quality with copper cable - but did not think of the CCA cable avenue - will check it. Well, once I've fitted the RJ45s properly, I'll see. I know a computer shop who have a tester I can use . . .. I have a feeling the cable may not be copper though!

 

[queijo]

A added thought.....

scratch my last answer - feel fairly certain in fact, after checking, that I am indeed the owner of copper cat 5e cable! (not CCA)

 

[kanewolf]

If you are doing a switch to switch link, and it is 100Mbit only, then you need a crossover cable because most 100Mbit doesn't have auto crossover.

 

[queijo]

Ok - Thanks - got it all sorted - I am writing from the building I intended to use internet from! It was indeed a case of re-fitting an RJ45 . . . .cheers for your thoughts - as the saying goes, "it is not always the advice but the confidence of the advice that helps" Not sure who said that but hey - I guess it means, those with more experience and knowledge and check balance and reassure those with not . . . cheers!