Thanks.
Laying a wire isn't a problem. Do you know what kind I should buy? cat5 cat6? I assume it's a 'patch' cable to go from BT hub to PC?
Thanks
Main Topics
Browse All TopicsHi.
Just built an office down the garden and the wifi from the BT home hub doesn't reach.
It's about 45 meters away and I don't know what option to go for. I could run a cable from the hub to the office - or I have seen the plug in systems that use the mains.
I want to be able to back up large quantites of data to the house for safekeeping.
So, question is - ethernet or plugin?
If ethernet which cable do I need cat5 or 6 patch or crossover?
If plug in which speed - 85 - 200 or gigabit?
Thanks for your help.
Dave
This Question has been solved and asker verified All Experts Exchange premium technology solutions are available to subscription members.
Experts Exchange has been collecting answers to technology questions since 1996…3 million and counting! If you have a question, chances are we already have your answer.
If you can't find the exact answer you're looking for, ask our exclusive community of 50,000 experts. You’ll get a personalized answer from a trusted professional.
Thousands of free tech tips, tricks, how-to’s and tutorials are available in our peer reviewed articles section. See for yourself how smart our experts are, no login required.
Access the answers to your technology questions today.
30-day free trial. Register in 60 seconds.
Members of the expert community talk about why the experience at Experts Exchange is different than what you will find anywhere else.

Try it out and discover for yourself.
30-day free trial. Register in 60 seconds.
Join the community of experts here and help other tech pros by answering question in your area of expertise. You can earn FREE access to all Experts Exchange's premium features and resources.
For most purposes, CAT5 is fine. However doing it new now and then for the longer term, I would myself use CAT6. That is probably the best way. You either need outdoor cable or run a small conduit and use indoor cable. Outdoor cable will be the best way to go.
In terms of connection, run the cable from your BT Hub to the location. I would now be inclined to get a small modern switch and connect the cable to the switch. Now you can have more than one PC out there and indeed, you could bridge a wireless router in to have wireless access when you want it. The switch is optional but highly desirable.
... Thinkpads_User
CAT5e would be as good as any for your purposes, up to 100metres - It's designed with gigabit ethernet in mind, which if your BT home hub and other PC can use would make the transfer significantly faster.
Common sense would dictate that it should be run within some kind of protection if it's outside, to avoid moisture etc...
Pete
Hey I just did some googling, and found a useful load of info:
http://www.connectworld.ne
Tells you about the different cables etc, even has a section on running Cat5e outside etc. :)
Pete
Thanks thinkpad - very helpful.
Can you clarify that a 'switch would go at the office/garden end of the cable - I think I'm answering my own question as I type but good to clarify as I'm new to this. And a wireless router that end too? Not too sure what the difference between a router and the hub is.....
Thanks again
Your BT device is (probably) supplied by the telecom people. I took that as a basic installed device. Run a cable from there to your location and install a LinkSys (Cisco) consumer 4 or 8 port switch. These are usually inexpensive. Then plug in your PC. All should be well.
Later comes a wireless router. I would get it all connected and working, and see if you still want to do this. ... Thinkpads_User
Indeed, or if you're running the cable straight from your BT Hub (I'm assuming you're talking about a home hub?) then you don't need a cross over... You only really need a cross over if the cable goes straight from computer to computer with no switch/hub in between, which you have.
BT home hubs usually have a 4 port switch built-in I believe...
Business Accounts
Answer for Membership
by: thinkpads_userPosted on 2009-11-05 at 08:29:44ID: 25751129
The "large quantities of data" has a big influence. For overall reliability and speed, I would most definitely install an ethernet wire. Wireless could prove problematic over time (even though I use it all the time in my home, but use wire for big transfers) ... Thinkpads_User