Network cabling question -- RJ-45 coupler vs. switch

Posted by: Bart on 20 October 2012

Which would be the right solution for my application?  This house was originally wired with one Cat5e run in the walls from my listening room to the laundry room, and another run in the walls from the laundry room to my "man cave room."  Each is perhaps 60-75 feet, at most.  I need to 'join up' the two cables in the laundry room so that I'll effectively have a connection from the man cave to the listening room.  My NAS and UnitiServe can be in the man cave this way -- out of the listening room -- along with my cable modem/router and Time Capsule.

 

It seems I have two choices -- a simple RJ-45 coupler, or a gigabit ethernet switch.  I'll also have a switch up in the man cave to connect the Time Capsule, NAS and uServe to my cable modem/router, so maybe that's a lot of switches (?)  Is there any solid reason not to just use a coupler (or vice versa)?

 

TIA

Posted on: 20 October 2012 by Mr Underhill

Max advised length for a patch cable is 100 metres, so you are well within that.

 

I would try the coupler. Not as good as a straight run in theory, but nothing that will probably matter.

 

Give it a go, for about £5.

 

You could then run a test down the cable to check the data transfer is OK.

 

If not you could either use the existing cable to pull through a new cable, that covers the whole distance, or buy a repeater.

 

The repeater just boosts the signal for the next run - but I very would be surprised if you need this.

 

If I am reading you right then you certainly don't need a switch.

Posted on: 20 October 2012 by Bart

Thanks Mr. U.  I didn't think I needed a switch either, but the hi fi store network tech that came out to the house proposed that as the way to 'join' the 2 cables and I was skeptical.  He has test equipment, and when he and his supervisor come back next week to finish up the job I'll have a coupler here waiting and have them try it and do a test.

Posted on: 20 October 2012 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Yes a coupler would be best.

Simon

Posted on: 20 October 2012 by Bart

Thank you Simon; I appreciate it.