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Wireless or direct ethernet connection

T

TechStuey05

Gawd
Joined
Aug 5, 2005
Messages
902
Hi, I recently bought a new computer and I moved my Apple Computer upstairs. The Fios Cable modem/Router is downstairs. For internet, one option is to use a wireless adapter, the other is to run a 125-150 ft ethernet Cable from the Cable modem/Router to my Apple Computer either inside or outside the house.

I bought a wireless adapter (Amped Wireless High Power 300 N 600 mw USB Adapter) but my internet downloading and browsing seems slow. I believe that I'm also getting interference with my Mighty Mouse.

Sometimes I lose internet connection and I have to unplug the cable modem and plug it back in before I'm able to reconnect the wireless Adapter to the internet.

My Might mouse seems to lag and isn't accurate since I hooked up the Wireless Adapter. When I powered off my Might mouse and powered it back on sometimes my internet connection is lost but the mouse suddenly works perfectly.

Should I try a different Wireless Adapter or should I hook up a 125-150 ft ethernet cable to my Apple Computer. A direct connection is faster which is what I would prefer but can there be signal loss with such a long cable?

I would have to either bring it around the house and into my room or make a hole and go through the closet into my room. Can Ethernet Cables work outside with the cold, heat, storms, etc?

Thanks
 
What's your Mac? I thought most Macs came with a built in wireless card?

In any case, if you can go wired, go wired. 125-150ft isn't a big deal.
 
You mention "outside your house"...does that mean you want to use your Apple in different spots around the house and outside? If so...I'd pursue the wireless path...for convenience. I'm not overly familiar with Apple computers, you mention a "Mac Pro"..I Googled that, looks like a tower computer. In which case I'd assuming it's permanent next to a desk..so running ethernet cable would be the path that I took. But since you mention "outside"...I'm thinking laptop, in which case wireless would be desired. So for troubleshooting I'd try logging into your FiOS unit...and adjusting the wireless setup. Ensure it's WPA or higher, try changing channels too..in case you have a lot of neighboring wireless nearby that crowd the usual default channel of 6. So try ch 1 or ch 11. Often that will alleviate wireless issues.
 
It sounds like the cable is going to be routed outside. I have some regular Cat5e that goes outside (for net/voice access).

The main thing you want to look out for when running cables outside is keeping them out of the sun - the UV light in sunlight tends to do bad things to insulation. Make sure you caulk up the holes around the cable as well. Personally, I prefer just running bare wire through and then putting on the ends after it's through - that way, you can drill a much smaller hole. Depending on how adventerous you're feeling, you could take some PVC Conduit and screw that to the side of the house. That would be best, since it would protect the wire from animals, too. Wouldn't be very expensive - and the mounting straps just screw in place with some wood screws.
 
Thanks guys. My Mac Pro will remain in my Bedroom, I have no plans to move it anywhere else. I was thinking of just running the cable inside the house and make a few more holes. I would need a 150 ft cable. How much is faster is a direct connection vs Wireless? Should I go with Cat 5 or Cat 6? Will there be signal loss with that cable length? Will the 150 ft cable effect the speed of the internet on my other computer and devices that are hooked up directly to the Fios modem/Router downstairs?
 
cat 6 is better stuff, but at 150' you should not see or be able to measure any difference.
 
TechStuey05 said:
Will the 150 ft cable effect the speed of the internet on my other computer and devices that are hooked up directly to the Fios modem/Router downstairs?
Click to expand...

Anyone?

Also could you post links to high quality ethernet cables? Are there any stores locally that sell long ethernet or can I only get it online from Newegg, amazon, etc?
 
Last edited:
Anyone? Will the 125ft or 150 ft cable effect the speed of the internet on my other computer and devices that are hooked up directly to the Fios modem/Router downstairs?
 
TechStuey05 said:
Also could you post links to high quality ethernet cables? Are there any stores locally that sell long ethernet or can I only get it online from Newegg, amazon, etc?
Click to expand...
Microcenter should have them. Just ask a sales associate.
TechStuey05 said:
Anyone? Will the 125ft or 150 ft cable effect the speed of the internet on my other computer and devices that are hooked up directly to the Fios modem/Router downstairs?
Click to expand...
As 450 and Mackintire both answered, no you're not not gonna see a problem with performance with that long of a cable as long as you use Cat 53 or Cat 6.

TechStuey05 said:
How much is faster is a direct connection vs Wireless?
Click to expand...
Significantly faster. Can't give you an approximate quote since there's a variety of factors that determines wireless speed. But the one constant in most situations is that direct connection is gonna be significantly faster than wireless.
 
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