What cable to use?

I am creating my own home network to share a USB ADSL connection. My 3 computers are far apart (c.30m), and I want to purchase pre-made cables as I don't have the time to make my own. However, I see that there are RJ45 cables, and CAT5 cables. Can one use either? RJ45 terminated cables are a lot more expensive and they are hard to find here in the UK at the lengths I need them. What are the alternatives to RJ45? (I haven't bought any equipment yet so I'm completly open to suggestions). Thanks

2. RE: What cable to use?
lbyard Oct-01-01 11:30 PM
In response to message 0

Buy CAT 5 or 5e straight-thru cables. “RJ45” refers to the kind of plugs on the ends of the cables and they are required and they should also be rated CAT 5 or 5e. “RJ45 cable” is not the correct name for the cables. The cables have to be made with solid core wire at the lengths you require. A router is the best way to share the Internet connection if the MODEM is an external one with an Ethernet interface. If you have not got the service yet you should be able to get one with an Ethernet interface if you insist on it. Before buying a router, however, be aware that many routers do not support the ATMoE protocol. Most service providers in the US do not use it; I understand many providers in Europe do. Many providers use PPPoE and most, but not all, routers do support it. Many providers do not use either ATMoE or PPPoE. You can buy routers that have Ethernet switches built-in for networking your PCs. The cable used to connect the MODEM to the router may be straight-thru or crossover, depending on the make and model of both devices. See our Internet Connection and Networking FAQs for details and more answers. See http://duxcw.com/digest/Howto/network/cable/cable1.htm for a network cable tutorial. Larry

3. RE: What cable to use?
bo8482 Oct-02-01 05:59 PM
In response to message 2

LAST EDITED ON Oct-02-01 AT 06:00 PM (GMT)
Thanks for solving the cabling issue for me Larry. I just have one more question now. Will my internet connection be significantly slower on a client conventionly networked to the host using ICS (if noone else was using connection) than an internet connection shared through a router?

5. RE: What cable to use?
lbyard Oct-02-01 06:10 PM
In response to message 3

Yes, depending on what you are doing with the connection (see http://duxcw.com/digest/Howto/network/win98se_cab/verify.htm and http://duxcw.com/digest/Reviews/Network/smc/smc7004br/smc7004br-2.htm). A router costs about $100. But you will need either a hub or switch to connect the PCs anyway and they cost roughly half the cost of a router. If my router broke today, ICS or any software solution would not even be considered an alternative: I would buy another router in heartbeat, and funds are quite tight here. Larry

6. RE: What cable to use?
bo8482 Oct-04-01 07:58 PM
In response to message 5

LAST EDITED ON Oct-04-01 AT 07:59 PM (GMT)
I would like to go for the router option but unfortunately here in the UK we only have USB modems (no ethernet option at the moment), and there is only one router available for such a modem (Draytek USB2000 Ł210). This is 5 times more expensive than a Ł40 hub. As I'm only using three computers and I only need basic browsing facilities for two of them, I think I will probably plump for ICS or Sygate. However, I have read in your guides that the host computer needs two network cards (one for modem, one for network). But if my modem is USB and without an ethernet adapter I obviously can't hook it up. Will ICS work if the modem is connected via USB? If not, do I have any options? Thanks very much for your time.

7. RE: What cable to use?
lbyard Oct-04-01 08:58 PM
In response to message 6

From what I have read and heard, it should, but may not depending on the USB adapter/driver. I have not done it. Thanks for the info on the DrayTek Vigor2200USB router with a USB WAN port. (http://www.draytek.com.tw/product/router/2200usb.htm). It’s the first one I have heard about. I would expect to see more of them from other manufacturers. Larry