--- Rush <jdrush@enter.net> wrote:
>
> I need to connect computers in two different rooms
> to the cable modem
> and I have lots of questions. I already have an
> ethernet in each room
> connecting all the computers in it. I figure I can
> use wireless,
> powerline or wired ethernet to link them up.
>
> 1. I can't find a simple wireless link. I just want
> a wireless link
> between the two nets. Everything I've found is
> designed so that each
> computer in the other room needs to have it's own
> wireless card. That's
> expensive and unnecessary in my setup. Does anyone
> make a simple,
> inexpensive wireless link that will connect two
> ethernets a short
> distance apart? It would be even better if one end
> was a router to
> distribute the cable modem signal since I also need
> to buy a router.
These are made, they are usually called a "wireless
bridge". For example, go look up "Linksys WET54G".
The only problem is that these are sort of specialty
items and cost more than a common router or wireless
adapter. You might find it cheaper to get several
ordinary wireless adapters on sale, for all the
computers.
>
> 2. Powerline. Both rooms share a common wiring, so
> I'm looking at a the
> powerline ethernet option. Anyone want to share
> their findings on using
> the powerlines as ethernet? There isn't a whole lot
> of practical advice
> on the net that I can find.
Yuk.
>
> 3. Phone. Both rooms are also wired for phone with
> 6-pair wiring. How do
> I tell if it is the right kind of phone wire to
> support ethernet?
If you have two twisted-pairs running between the two
rooms, you could probably extend the ethernet.
Standard CAT5 ethernet cable has 4 pairs, but only
two of them do anything. I have worked on a couple
of setups where two pairs had ethernet and the other
two pairs had phone lines. If you haven't already,
you should invest in a crimping tool for those
RJ-whatever 8-pin plugs.
>
> Sorry for all the newb questions. My knowledge of
> ethernet ends with
> shielded cabling.
It's generally not shielded any more.
Doug
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