How far can I run a CAT5 network cable?

[Texas Diesel]

I need to run one 330', will it work that far away?

 

[KBennett]

I think you are right on the edge, 100 meters (3. 3 feet per meter) is the max if I recall correctly.

 

[JR2]

For the cost of 330 feet of cat 5 you could buy a cheapo wireless system... if you don't mind using wireless or if wirless will work for your application.



After a quick search on Google I found that the limit for Cat5 is 100M. Now this is in a perfect world, no EM interference. If you run the cable away from all sources of interference you might get it to work or you might not. The guys when on to say that 300 ft is about all they ever get to work. Maybe look for a cheap signal booster or repeater.



John

 

[Texas Diesel]

Heavy foilage and hacking are why I dont want to run a wi-fi system,

I would need 2-3 repeaters to make the path. Plus every repeater you have slows the network down because each packet is sent twice ( I read that off a wi-fi site). WEP passwords can be broken in a few minutes.

 

[ACoyle]

If you need that length use Cat 6. It should do it. I have gone that far with Cat 6. Also, your last post seems to indicate an outside run. If you run cat (Anything) outside do not use plenum cable. at about 32 degrees, it gets very brittle and will crack and fall away from the wire. PVC would be the choice here. Not sure how it will handle UV. could loose there. Your other option is fiber. You could use a preterminated outdoor fiber that will "Hack the mission". If you have further questions. please either post here or PM me.



AC



Wow! a question, I cn answer. Thank You

 

[Texas Diesel]

Sounds like CAT6 is the answer but I bet HomeDepot doesnt carry it.



Yes, it will be outside so PVC is needed. We can enclose in 1/2" grey PVC.



Any suggestions on where to buy CAT6?

 

[ACoyle]

The good news, I can have it shipped to you. The bad news, it comes on 1,000 foot rolls. You should also use Cat 6 jacks. Do you have the tools to terminate? As for $$ please PM me.



Fiber is not a horrible solution, It can be had premade and there are fairly inexpensive trancievers.



AC

 

[Texas Diesel]

I have the tool to put on RJ-45 ends only.



PM sent.

 

[Bertram65]

I have used cat5 full duplex 100mb at about 330' without any problem, I actually have a Cisco 5000 and 5500 tied together with a pair of cat5 at that length. I have cable test equipment and it passes all the tests without a problem, I would like to know what the difference is between a cat 5 RJ45 and cat 6 RJ45 is, I can see the cable having a tighter twist but I cannot see how the connector could be different in any way that would make a difference.

 

[klenger]

100 meters is the spec limit, but it should work at greater distances. Try it and find out.

 

[TORQUE THIS]

I have run cat5 about 600'. We had only 2 computers on that run. We had a total of 35 computers on the network. Never experienced any problems.

 

[mjendrejcak]

Cat5, Cat5e and Cat6 all have the same 100M limit. I have some Cat5 runs at work about 370 feet (112. 776)(1m equals 39. 37 inches. ) and no drops. One of these runs is outside connecting an office trailer back to the main plant (cisco 4006 to 6513). The applcation running in the trailer will terminate if it misses a single packet. Somehow the app has been running without problems since December (it does not run on Microshaft winblows)



We are going to replace the outside run with Cisco wireless using WEP, MAC and Radius.



I would run the Cat and be done.

 

[ACoyle]

I believe that the differences are internal to the jack. Unless you are talking about the crimp on plug. Did not say that 5, 5e or 5E would not work at that distance. It is near the limit and may or may not. Why try lesser cable and find out you did not make it.



The biggest difference is in the NEXT (Near End CrossTalk) numbers.



Anyway too tired to debate.



AC

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

I run my home network on cat 5 (Sony Viao , Dell , compaq , PS2) And one wireless access point for the HP. The Shop is at the other end of 150' run and it runs as fast as the rest of the network. I also am running wireless G with 128 bit encrypted pep security (16 hexadecimal) and I feel really confident that it is safe as a hyacker bud of mine could not foul it ... could see it but do absolutly nothing with it ... even with a code generator.

 

[Txredneck]

Texas Diesel Fry's sells cat 5 and cat 6 alot cheaper than bestbuy.