"Bill Kearney" <wkearney99@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:w7adnc1mocs4vgvanZ2dnUVZ_oGjnZ2d@speakeasy.ne t...
>> Will I be able to run a 200ft distance to another computer in another
>> building?
>
> 100BaseT supports up to 330 feet. That's total distance, not line of
> sight. So don't forget to take into account the lengths necessary to get
> from the router, up/down the wall, over to the building exit, down/up the
> wall, under the ground, etc, all the way to the other end. You'd be
> surprised how much distance gets chewed up.

The spec actually states 100 meters being the max length which is 328 feet,
this includes all patch cables.

>
>> Suggestions on what type of router to get for this endevour would be
>> helpful.
>
> If all you're doing is adding to the current subnet there's no router
> needed. You can just hang another switch off the connection. Just don't
> chain more than 3 switches. If you needed more than that you'd need to
> use a router. How much traffic or how many computers are expected to be
> active in the other building?

Plug it into a switch or computer on each end. It doesn't have to be
anything special. But you might want to let us know what your doing just in
case further equipment is needed.

>
>> It will be running outside. Can cat5 wire be buried?

Yes, there are bury grade/outdoor cable available. I bought the last stuff I
used to put on a tower and between some buildings from www.wisp-router.com

>
> Direct-burial jacket covered wire is available. Conduit is better as it
> allows much better maintenance. But for inter-building connections it's
> often common to use fiber optic cable. There are 100mb converters
> available for the purpose, you'd use one on each end. Using fiber allows
> going longer distances and avoids risks like lightning and surges. I'd
> much rather have fiber in conduit that anything directly buried into the
> soil.

True, however there is nothing wrong with using cat5e cable if 10/100 is all
that's required. Fiber cable, the terminations and and media converters can
be pretty expensive. If i wanted gigabit speed i'd consider fiber for a run
that short other wise the cat5 will be fine, just all depends on what you
want to do and what you have planned in the future.

Adair