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JimPerry's avatar
Dec 04, 2021
Solved

Need signal boost-hard line direct connection

Sorry to be so ignorant, but I have laid a direct burial Cat 6 cable between my home and shop. The total cable lenght ended up being > 100m (not a lot more). I have plugged the cable into my modem/router and the shop computer. The green and yellow lights illuminate on the computer port but I am getting no internet (and the network shows up as "unknown.") A neighbor did much the same thing with about the same run. He has a Netgear 5605v5 switch about halfway down the run. Will installing a similar switch boost the signal strength for me to het me internet access?

  • Appreciate the advice. I wired the cable ends correctly. Interestingly, I used a Cat 5 connector on one end before buying those specifically made for heavier Cat 6.The Cat 6  ends allow the wire to be pushed through  (and protrude) making it easier to be sure they are correctly (T568b). But cutting the protruding ends off flush with the front or the connector is difficult. I ended up using a Dremel tool. When it finally locked into place in the computer and I did the trouble-shooting for no Internet I found something was not enabled. Once fixed,I have Internet in the shop.

    My goal was two-fold: to be able to use a computer for Internet research within the shop and also to install a camera so I can have some degree of security within it in  my absence.

     

    Now on to get a router and camera for the later. I am not going to be streaming video or gaming or anything fancy, so I don't need a $250 router! Plus we are on DSL so the speed is what is considered rudimentary. (Right now, my wireless laptop is getting download at 7.1Mbps, upload 0.75,my wife's hard-wired tower 7.82/0.87.)

6 Replies

  • schumaku's avatar
    schumaku
    Guru - Experienced User

    Hi,

    First thing I would strongly suggest is testing (low level, DC logic) the wiring, especially the pairing. On the physical wires, it's possible the link signals are going through even if the pairing isn't correct. This could lead to kind of low or high-error rates prohibiting a reliable Ethernet communication.

     

    Typical reason why a computer shows no Internet and unknown network is that the computer does not get an IP config over the link, typically from the router DHCP server.

     

    Does a computer get a valid/workable IP address on your network, or is this probably a router port predefined e.g. for an IPTV set-top box?

     

    I would suggest to test configuring the computer (just as a test) manually to an IP address (known free - check before ...) on your network iP subnetwork. for the default gateway and the IP addresses compare to another computer on the network.

     

    Of course, you can always add a switch to split a to long (or to long) network connection into two physical network segments. 

     

    Regards,

    -Kurt

  • plemans's avatar
    plemans
    Guru - Experienced User

    like schumaku says, check the cables. If you wired the ends of the cable yourself, i'd especially check them. I've many times seen a sketchy end on a cable cause issues. 

    Another thing to try is if you have a switch sitting around is to plug the end in the shop into the switch and then connect your computer to the switch. I've also seen people wire cables as a crossover cable because they followed the wrong guide. 

    • JimPerry's avatar
      JimPerry
      Tutor

      Appreciate the advice. I wired the cable ends correctly. Interestingly, I used a Cat 5 connector on one end before buying those specifically made for heavier Cat 6.The Cat 6  ends allow the wire to be pushed through  (and protrude) making it easier to be sure they are correctly (T568b). But cutting the protruding ends off flush with the front or the connector is difficult. I ended up using a Dremel tool. When it finally locked into place in the computer and I did the trouble-shooting for no Internet I found something was not enabled. Once fixed,I have Internet in the shop.

      My goal was two-fold: to be able to use a computer for Internet research within the shop and also to install a camera so I can have some degree of security within it in  my absence.

       

      Now on to get a router and camera for the later. I am not going to be streaming video or gaming or anything fancy, so I don't need a $250 router! Plus we are on DSL so the speed is what is considered rudimentary. (Right now, my wireless laptop is getting download at 7.1Mbps, upload 0.75,my wife's hard-wired tower 7.82/0.87.)

      • schumaku's avatar
        schumaku
        Guru - Experienced User

        From my experience, it's much easier to install these "heavy" style cables to (female) RJ45 modules intended for wall or rack mount blocks, instead of squeezing onto a simple connector intended for patch cable usage.

         

        Hard to suggest a solution for a router, depends a little bit where you are located. ISPs often offering low or contract bound CPEs. In SOHO networks, we tend to install xDSL G.fast modem-only devices, and terminate the encapsulation (like PPPoE,if any) on a whatever Ethernet router on the Internet side for providing NAT and DHCP, and then install good wireless access points where WiFi is _really_ required.  as Netgear has almost ceased the xDSL modem and router market, I would look elsewhere - e.g. with ZyXEL for example.

         

        Last but not least, I would challenge your ISP or telephone company if there is a chance or a plan to boost your Internet connection towards VDSL2RE, VDSL2, or G.Fast.... but all this requires to bring their infrastructure nearer to your home. In some areas the former fixed line providers are migrating copper lines to 4G/5G "mobile" networks, offering much better services in speed, sometimes also reliability.

         

        Hope this helps, feel free to ask anytime! 

         

        Regards,

        -Kurt

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