Cables

[Inactive]

The Netgear doesn't either...

I must be spoilt with my el cheapo's then Rik, they all have on / off switches, TBH I thought all routers had them.

[Rik]

I'm not sure about the rest, I wasn't paying enough attention when I was using other peoples'.

[ducky22]

Someone mentioned Cat6 earlier... There is really no point going for Cat6 unless you're going to go for a gigabit or faster network. Cat5e will work 'up to' 1gbit, certainly at 100mbit like the 2wire operates at.

[Rik]

I always feel it's worth future proofing if you're going to put in new cable, though. But then, I make 5 backups every day.

[ducky22]

I always feel it's worth future proofing if you're going to put in new cable, though. But then, I make 5 backups every day.

I only ever think 5 years in the future :-P. I'm already at gigabit and until hard drives become significantly faster, there will be no need for anything faster. I've never actually even got near 1gb throughput......

[Rik]

No, it's a shame that the promised speed never quite matches the delivered version, isn't it. Though, five years ago, how many people were running home networks?

[Ray]

The Netgear doesn't either...

The Speedtouch ST586 has got an on/off button. 

[Rik]

Thanks, Ray.

[merlin]

while on the subject of cables but slightly off topic, if you are ordering cat5/cat6/ cable and intend to connect it yourself, using the type of connector that you use a push in tool ( wish i could remember the connectors name,senior moment going on right now )
then make sure you use the solid wire cable and not the stranded version, that connector is not suited to stranded type

you can get around it by lightly soldering the stranded ends , but it makes for a mucky job , and we at idnet do not tolerate anything mucky !!!

[Rik]

Do you mean these?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=32111&&source=14&doy=18m2

[merlin]

no rik thats "crimp"
i mean the sort where you have atool about 4" long with a small slot in the end, such as you would connect the wires to a wall socket.
i may be wrong but is the word i,m struggling to find "cinch connectors"

[Rik]

Maplin only seem to have crimp connectors.

[merlin]

rik , look at the back of a telephone wall plate, the connectors are the ones i mean

[Rik]

IDC?

[merlin]

yep thats it ,they don't like stranded wire.

and why could.nt i remember that ??

[Rik]

I couldn't remember until you gave the the phone socket cluse.

[Inactive]

I couldn't remember until you gave the the phone socket cluse.

What is/are a " cluse " Rik??

No excuse .. 

[Rik]

It's a Peter Sellers clue. 

[Inactive]

I like it Rik..nice one.. 

[scook94]

Someone mentioned Cat6 earlier... There is really no point going for Cat6 unless you're going to go for a gigabit or faster network. Cat5e will work 'up to' 1gbit, certainly at 100mbit like the 2wire operates at.

That was me, and certainly the CAT6 cables are a few quid more expensive and it's unlikely there would be any real benefit over CAT5e. But Ann did say in her original post that she'd like to get the best cables and connectors, hence the recommendation, and as Rik points out it's slightly more future proof.

[BrianM]

http://www.maplin.co.uk/search.aspx?MenuNo=12567&MenuName=Telephone+Wall+Sockets+%26amp%3b+Connectors&worldid=-1&FromMenu=y&doy=search

IPc insertion tool

[Sebby]

I sometimes buy Cat6 if it's around the same price as Cat5e. I'm sure it makes no difference to my network, but who cares? 

[Rik]

Even if it's not the same price, it's nice to know you have the next speed step covered.

[Ann]

I got cat6 but wasn't really fussed between 5e and 6, but it's a long story of search and find, right colour and right length and somewhere that also sold a short length of decent rj11 stuff.  It's arrived.. so more fun and games tonight. 

[Rik]

So you'll be on a staple diet tonight then, Ann.