Data Extension Cable

Hi,

Im forward planning and was wondering if putting in place a CAT6 ethernet cable would be okay to act as the data extention cable to connect the BT Infinty modem to the router?

Thanks.

Edited by Bobby_Valentino (Tue 07-Feb-12 21:28:19)

It would be fine, over kill as you only need one twisted pair, CW1308 stuff would suit better and fit RJ11 style connectors a lot better.

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

It would be fine, over kill as you only need one twisted pair, CW1308 stuff would suit better and fit RJ11 style connectors a lot better.

Cool, thanks for the confirmation. I was thinking about neatening things up a bit and terminating the ethernet cable to a ethernet socket (like this one). Would that be okay aswell? Or does it need a straight run to the router?

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

It would be fine, over kill as you only need one twisted pair, CW1308 stuff would suit better and fit RJ11 style connectors a lot better.

Modem to Router is Ethernet...

So it is, my bad, that is not really the data extension cable then.

Use of phrase data extension cable threw me, that usually refers to faceplate socket to modem.

The lead between modem and router is just a standard CAT5e cable, and thus CAT6 is fine, well over spec but fine. For routing around a house CAT5e is more flexible.

100m of cat5e between modem and router should have no impact on performance.

Yes, and RJ45 socket in a face plate at each end is the best way. terminating Cat5e or Cat6 infrastructure cabling in RJ45 plugs can be problematic, so use the sockets with a patch lead at either end.

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

100m of cat5e between modem and router should have no impact on performance.

The length limit of 100m for ethernet comes only when on solid core cable.

The length is stated to be 30m when using flexible patch cable. I don't know of any practical tests that have tried to go further.

In reply to a post by WWWombat:

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

100m of cat5e between modem and router should have no impact on performance.

The length limit of 100m for ethernet comes only when on solid core cable.

The length is stated to be 30m when using flexible patch cable. I don't know of any practical tests that have tried to go further.

THe other important desctinction is how to terminate solid core and multi core.

ONLY Solid Core shuold be used in the IDC connectors present on patch sockets
ONLY Multi core should be used with RJXX plugs.

So > Multicore for plugs, solid core for sockets

Ever tried to put multicore into Insulation displacement connectors like those on the back of a phone socket? Doesn't work out too well...

Those two rules do generally apply, but you can get solid core RJ45 connectors e.g.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/cat-6-solid-rj45-connectors-...

In reply to a post by MHC:

Yes, and RJ45 socket in a face plate at each end is the best way. terminating Cat5e or Cat6 infrastructure cabling in RJ45 plugs can be problematic, so use the sockets with a patch lead at either end.

Are you sure there wont be any speed degradation / or any other disadvantages if i use sockets rather than a straight run?

Modem is 100Mbit and I believe the WAN port is too. Properly installed Cat5e will support 100Mbit as an absolute minimum and should support 1Gbit.

You will not loose anything in that short run. Get a reasonable quality RJ45 socket and faceplate with matching backbox ... I would recommend the MKElectric range - or ADC Krone (if you can find a stockist who will deal with you). Standard Cat5e or Cat6 cable will terminate perfectly in those with a standard punchdown tool. Then a decent patch lead at each end - with flexible cable properly terminated into plugs (not a quick/easy job to start with).

I can easily run Modem >>>> Patch Lead >>>> Patch Panel >>>> 20+m Infrastructure Cat5e >>>> Socket >>>> Patch lead >>>> Hub
and if I was to increase that to: Modem >>>> Patch Lead >>>> Patch Panel >>>> 20+m Infrastructure Cat5e >>>> Socket >>>> Patch Lead >>>> Socket >>>> 20+m Infrastructure Cat5e >>>> Patch Panel >>>> Patch Lead >>>> Hub it would still work!

In reply to a post by MHC:

Modem is 100Mbit and I believe the WAN port is too. Properly installed Cat5e will support 100Mbit as an absolute minimum and should support 1Gbit.

You will not loose anything in that short run. Get a reasonable quality RJ45 socket and faceplate with matching backbox ... I would recommend the MKElectric range - or ADC Krone (if you can find a stockist who will deal with you). Standard Cat5e or Cat6 cable will terminate perfectly in those with a standard punchdown tool. Then a decent patch lead at each end - with flexible cable properly terminated into plugs (not a quick/easy job to start with).

I can easily run Modem >>>> Patch Lead >>>> Patch Panel >>>> 20+m Infrastructure Cat5e >>>> Socket >>>> Patch lead >>>> Hub
and if I was to increase that to: Modem >>>> Patch Lead >>>> Patch Panel >>>> 20+m Infrastructure Cat5e >>>> Socket >>>> Patch Lead >>>> Socket >>>> 20+m Infrastructure Cat5e >>>> Patch Panel >>>> Patch Lead >>>> Hub it would still work!

Cool stuff

In one of my previous posts:

In reply to a post by MHC:

At the location you want the outlets for modem and phone use a standard electrical backbox, then fit a K182 modular frontplate, with a K5887 RJ11/12 module and a K5821 secondary BT socket. I have used the MK Logic range as an example, if you have MK Edge, or a different brand around the rest of the house, choose one which matches.

Those are possible components - you can get cheaper, but I have seen some really awful ones and the little extra will be worth it. If you have Crabtree or other brands of sockets in the house, buy the boxes and face plates to match those and get the MK RJ45 - they will fit.

Does anyone know where I can find these (nicely slipped into the connector) instead of these so called boots, as the boots easily slip off as opposed to the former.

It's a moulded plug, so you'd need an RJ45 injection machine........

The keyword is flush; search for something like:

rj45 flush profile strain relief (boot OR bush)

This might find what you want, although they're mostly snagless.

Does anyone know if this 2 port etherent faceplate will fit on to this back plate? (same dimensions? Cant see it mentioned on the website)

I would of thought so looking at them.

I've used these before

http://www.canford.co.uk/Products/49-4417_MATRIX-FAC...
http://www.canford.co.uk/Products/49-4411_MATRIX-CAT...

Fits on a standard 1 gang electrical wall box.

Note: the Cat5e is a one piece socket, the Cat6 is two piece, mounting plate + keystone connector module.

Yes, but will it look right? Co;our of material, sheen, corners - chamfered of not and external dimensions.

I will always but faceplates - power, switches, data &c and teh back boxes from te same manufacturer.

High quality kit (patch leads, sockets and cat5e) would certainly future proof you for a gigabit networking setup at some later date if required...

A couple of follow on questions on a Data Extension Cable if I may. I am having FTTC installed in 10 days time. Currently, I have a Master Socket with an ADSL Nation NTE5 faceplate. Sadly, there are no easily reached sockets and I run my current modem/router off a power extension cable. I persuaded my OH that this was just a temporary arrangement about a year ago!

1. Will the OR engineer insist on replacing the NTE5 faceplate?

2. If I go for a Data Extension Cable, then I assume that cable still leaves access to the Master Socket as a telephone point and test socket (should it be needed)?

3. Is there any significant speed loss with the cable (depending on length used of course)?

I intend to use my Fritz!Box as a FTTC modem once the OR chappie has disappeared. Will he insist on me connecting my FB to the modem or can I get away with testing the system with a cable between, say, a laptop and the modem? Thanks.

Testing from modem to laptop should be fine, make sure firewall is turned on, as you will be direct on internet.

Existing faceplate should be fine, but some may insist on changing it for new one.

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

Testing from modem to laptop should be fine, make sure firewall is turned on, as you will be direct on internet.

Existing faceplate should be fine, but some may insist on changing it for new one.

Thanks for your response and advice.