Gigqabit Server in basement - CAT6?

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bubbles

Limp Gawd
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Dec 16, 2005
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I have a server in my closet but it's very loud and hot. I want to put it down in the basement but it will need maybe 150 ft of cable. I think Cat6 will work better over that distance. I do a lot of very big file copies.

Where is a good place to buy Cat6, do they have it at lowes or home depot?

I noticed there are a couple types of cat6 cabling and RJ-45 plugs available which one do I need?
 
As far as I know there is only one type of Cat 6 cable that adheres to the TIA/EIA-568-B standard and uses normal RJ45 jacks. So just go ahead and buy any reasonably priced Cat 6 cable you can. The only thing I can think of that can be "different" is the internal wiring scheme which can be T568A or T568B which really doesnt affect anything or if the cable is UTP or STP but these specs don't really concern you too much just if you have a REALLY long run try to find some Sheilded Twisted Pair (STP) to minimize crosstalk and signal loss.

PS: read up on it here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category_6_cable

Also places to buy include eBay, http://www.monoprice.com/home/index.asp and http://www.deepsurplus.com/
 
Don't forget, there is also a difference between PVC and Plenum plus the solid versus stranded cores. Plenum is more expensive but will not emit toxic fumes like PVC will should it burn in a fire. Stranded bends easier than solid.

One big issue you are going to run into is the cable length if you use UTP.
 
ntba said:
As far as I know there is only one type of Cat 6 cable that adheres to the TIA/EIA-568-B standard and uses normal RJ45 jacks. So just go ahead and buy any reasonably priced Cat 6 cable you can. The only thing I can think of that can be "different" is the internal wiring scheme which can be T568A or T568B which really doesnt affect anything or if the cable is UTP or STP but these specs don't really concern you too much just if you have a REALLY long run try to find some Sheilded Twisted Pair (STP) to minimize crosstalk and signal loss.

PS: read up on it here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category_6_cable

Also places to buy include eBay, http://www.monoprice.com/home/index.asp and http://www.deepsurplus.com/
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T568A vs T568B all is how you wire the ends. It is just a different pinout of the connectors on the ends (which if you buy spool (bulk) cable it does not matter as you put on the ends anyways).

For a 150ft run I would recommend shielded. Usually 100ft or less non-shielded is fine, but over 100ft and especially with gigabit, shielded should be considered.

PanzerBoxb said:
Don't forget, there is also a difference between PVC and Plenum plus the solid versus stranded cores. Plenum is more expensive but will not emit toxic fumes like PVC will should it burn in a fire. Stranded bends easier than solid.

One big issue you are going to run into is the cable length if you use UTP.
Click to expand...

Plenum also does not burn as easily and will not start on fire if there is an internal arc (spark) in the cable or around it (another cable near by). Stranded bends easier, but Solid is preferred for longer runs. Both bend easily though, so I would just go with solid.


Also note that if you buy bulk cable you will need to terminate the ends. You can either use a jack (so then you can use a patch cable between the jack and the server) or just do a straight termination to a connector which will let you plug the cable directly into your server and hub on the other side. Jacks give a more finished look as you can put them in a wallplate or box and are easier to put on (they will include a cheap plastic punch down tool and thats all you need). Connectors are nice as you do not need to put in a wall plate or use a patch cable if you do not need a finished look, but you will need a special terminator tool to put them on (it runs about $45 at places like Home Depot and Lowes).

You can get wire at Home Depot/Lowes, but it is a bit more expensive per ft. Might be a good idea though since you only need ~150ft, the boxes usually only come in 500ft and 1000ft from wholesale places.


Hope this helps, its what I do as a side job for my clients :)
 
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