Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with ethernet

Where can I bulk buy ethernet cable in Toronto?

tracert — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:14:13 -0800

TorontoFilter: where can I bulk buy a bunch of premade cat5e and cat6 ethernet cables downtown? I am moving a business unit to a new office on Friday, but my shipment from my regular supplier was delayed and now I am pretty screwed. Does anyone know a place in the downtown area where I could go and bulk buy about a hundred or so ethernet cables of varying lengths for a reasonable price? I'm close to Active Surplus, but I don't think they will have the quantities (or selection) that I need.

How do you troubleshoot a cat-5 drop?

Loto — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 07:40:27 -0800

How do you troubleshoot a cat-5 drop? Background: I recently moved into an awesome basement apartment where internet access is provided by a cat-5 drop from the second floor where the router connected to Fios resides.

Problem: The drop doesn't work. Using a cheap cable tester the landlord and I discovered that only two of the four pairs were working. I thought maybe the jacks were the problem so I repunched both jacks following the T568A standard. Briefly, three pairs were now working with only one pair failing. After moving the wire slightly none of the pairs worked. The other drops in the house have the same problem. All patch cables used have been tested and verified to work. The RJ-45 jacks were replaced when I repunched everything. There are no visible breaks in the wire.

Question: So, now what? He offered to pull a new cable through the walls but I'd like to save him the hassle if I can. Since other drops to other parts of the house have the same problem I'm thinking it isn't the cable itself. At this point, all I care about is getting the cable to pass using the handheld tester. My only idea right now is to test the jacks with a multimeter. How do the pros go about troubleshooting something like this?

What is the absolute simplest, least expensive way to fix my sister-in-law's home network?

ook — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:57:17 -0800

What is the absolute simplest, least expensive way to fix my sister-in-law's home network? Here's what we have so far:

* a technophobic relative who lives hours away from me, for whom I would like to do a minimum of telephonic tech support
* a cable internet box, which has exactly one ethernet jack
* an iMac with one ethernet jack and no ability to connect to a WiFi network[1]
* a mac laptop for which they would like wireless access
* an Airport Express, which I suggested they buy before I discovered that the iMac cannot connect to WiFi.

[1] I spent a good chunk of my Thanksgiving weekend trying unsuccessfully to get WiFi to work on that iMac; the laptop connects fine, but I finally concluded that either there's something wrong with the iMac's airport card or that an assistive-learning device she has installed for her son is interfering with the machine's ability to connect to a normal WiFi network or there's some other software issue which I'm just too dumb to figure out; in any case let's just assume that this machine will need to have a wired connection.

Obviously I could suggest they buy an Airport Extreme instead, and then they could use the Express to extend the network range or as a, I dunno, doorstop. But that's kind of pricey, and I already feel a bit sheepish for suggesting they buy the Express in the first place.

Will one of those cheapo $10 ethernet hubs be sufficient? (Cable box to hub, from there wired connections to the iMac and to the airport express, which the laptop can connect to). Or do I need a switch, or a router, or -- basically I know enough about networking to know that there is a difference between these devices, but not enough to know what it is or why you would need one instead of another in a given situation. And I don't really care, I'd just like to put this behind me with a minimum of fuss. And I would especially like to avoid buying anything that will need my sister-in-law to do any software configuration, because I'll end up trying to do it over the phone, which... yeah. Let's not.

So: suggestions?

Electronics! NYC! Quickly!

provolot — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:52:28 -0800

Where can I find a cheap network cable tester, tomorrow morning, in NYC? I just realized that I need a RJ45/Ethernet cable tester for something short tomorrow. Is there anything anywhere in Brooklyn or Manhattan that will sell a cheap LAN tester (something like this, where you plug something in one end and something else in the other and it lights up and checks each pin) tomorrow morning? Any good electronics stores? Online searches at Radioshack and J&R seem to yield nothing but a $150 tester kit, which quite frankly is overkill for me.

Thanks!

Does Bob Metcalfe and Chuck Thacker have a stormy relationship while working at Xerox PARC?

jchaw — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:23:28 -0800

Can anyone provide an account on the relationship between Bob Metcalfe(inventor of Ethernet) and Chuck Thacker(legendary computer designer)? I attended a talk by Bob Taylor
today. In an introduction, the author of the book "Dealers of Lightning" described Bob Metcalfe and Chuck Thacker to be "lifelong enemies".

I find that difficult to believe and don't recall reading about this in the different books on Xerox PARC.

I will appreciate a response from anyone who has first-hand experience working in Xerox Parc during the period, or a reference to a webpage or book describing their relationship together while working at Xerox PARC.

Thanks! :)

What is wrong with my Internet connection?

Houyhnhnm — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 16:47:12 -0800

Every few minutes, my Internet connection drops out. It is a shared DSL connection that I connect to in my apartment (I have no access to the router). If I click the "Renew DHCP Lease" button in my Mac's preferences, it will work just fine for a few more minutes until it just stops again. What is the reasoning behind this, and how can I fix it so I don't have to "renew" my "lease" all the time?

Plug it in, plug it in...

Christ, what an asshole — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:01:39 -0800

Modem/Router issues: why does our internet always cut out on one computer on the network, resulting in having to constantly plug/unplug the router to get it working again? Router: WRT54G, ISP: Comcast.

We have two desktops (PCs) set up in the network, one direct with an ethernet cable, the other wireless. For whatever reason, the computer connected through the ethernet cable has its internet connection spontaneously cut out, sometimes several times throughout the day, which makes for some unusually frustrating surfing.

It's puzzling because all the modem lights are flickering just like normal, and the computer connected wirelessly works fine. Meanwhile, the first computer has an icon displaying that it's connected, but it remains dead and has no upload/download activity. As a result and through trial/error, the only way to get it working again is by unplugging the power to the router, letting it sit for a minute, then replugging and hoping it comes back, which it ostensibly does in more cases than not.

What could be the issue causing this brand of interference?

Networking Mac and Windows via ethernet

snarfois — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 08:18:55 -0800

Please help me troubleshoot my (cross-platform) home network. Networking already works via wi-fi, but not via ethernet cable. I'm networking a Windows XP PC to a Mac Mini running OS X Leopard. I have already succeeded in setting it up so that I can browse the Mini from Windows in "My Network Places" or via a mapped drive letter, but this is slow (802.11g) and I want to transfer large files.

I have bought a 20 meter cat5 cable (crossover) and connected the two computers, and disconnected the wi-fi adapter. Can I expect the network to work straight away without further configuration? Anyway, it doesn't. Please help!

(Irrelevant background: I only need to do this because the Mac Mini's DVD burner is useless -- I keep getting the "failed to calibrate the laser power level" error. So I'm forced to use the PC for burning.)

Multiple Powerline Ethernet Connections

TomSr — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:47:11 -0800

Can I have more than one powerline ethernet setup in my home? I have my xBOX connected with powerline ethernet and am quite pleased. Can I add another set of powerline adapters and connect a PC located in another part of the house? Thanks

How do I connect my wireless laptop to the internet by cable?

mammary16 — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 06:11:44 -0800

I'm having issues connecting my laptop to the internet. Wireless is fine, but I can't connect by cable at all. I own a T60 thinkpad with Windows XP that I've used entirely for wireless internet access. I've moved to a place (Warsaw, PL) where the internet connection is only by cable. I don't see the connection showing up anywhere in Network Connections.

The cable is plugged in, and the light is on (a steady green light) but I can't access the internet at all. I've been unlucky finding the solution to my problem online so I thought I'd check with the hivemind on this one.

I don't see any ethernet-type hardware attached to my computer (just my wireless card - "11a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Express Adapter"). Is it possible my ethernet card is damaged? I don't receive any error messages of any sort - it's just that nothing happens when I plug my computer in.

I am currently on my friend's T61 thinkpad, which connects effortlessly when I plug the cable in. So I know the connection itself works. His network device is listed as "Intel(R) 82566MM Gigabit Network Connection". I haven't had luck figuring out what the correct device for my T60 should be.

If you have any follow-up questions I'll be checking this page often. Thanks!

How to run CAT-6 cable from upstairs to downstairs?

mkny — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 05:01:52 -0800

I want to run ethernet cable from my computer/router upstairs to my PS3 in the living room, which is downstairs, directly underneath the computer (they share an internal wall.) What issues should I be aware of? (Perhaps fire code?) I currently have a Wireless-N bridge, which works well but can't quite keep up with 1080p video streaming as well as I'd like.

I've done some research, and it's apparent that I can get a flexible drill bit, cut a hole in the wall upstairs and downstairs for wall panels, drill through the baseplate, run a feeder, etc. I an amateur Mr. Fixit at best though--is there anything I should worry about before attempting this? What I'm particularly worried about is fire code and breaking the firewall between floors, as I think I've seen mention that this might be an issue. Thanks in advance.

How to extend LAN using fibre?

canadaka — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:47:45 -0800

I am trying to figure out a better way to extend our LAN to our shop that is about 220M away from our main Office/House. We currently have an Ethernet cable going almost half way, then it’s connected to a Patton Ethernet Extender (CopperLink Model 2168A) which carries it the rest of the way. (Diagram: http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r469/canadaka_bucket/network.png)

This solution works, but the network speed is very slow, internet browsing is fine, but accessing any of our network applications or copying files is slow. (<100Kbps).

So I am researching something that will offer better speeds, the only other option I can think of is a Fibre connection. I know this is the best and should offer full speed, but is expensive. I also know nothing about fibre networks and what I would need. I guess you need some sort of Ethernet to fibre convertor on each end.

So I am looking for advice on what is needed and maybe some specific products to make a single fibre link about 230m long, or ideas for other options.

Please help answer my computer question

leybman — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 17:03:46 -0800

I am living in a pretty shitty dorm without any wireless connection. They are also especially fearful of any downloading going on. Since I have to rely on their ethernet ports and they have all the pertinent information about my MAC address and my i.p. address is there a way for me to "anonymize" myself on their system if I should choose to partake in downloading a file (not an illegal one, of course) from bittorrent or even limewire. In particular I am looking for some opera records should be in the public domain and are probably located on bittorrent or bearshare.

Campus Bandwidth Fix

mccarty.tim — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:28:50 -0800

My roommate and I both are pretty upset at the speed of the wired network on our college campus. We get faster wireless reception from the campus's library next door. Is there a way we could bond the two connections? My roommate and I have realized that the wireless network on campus is faster and has much less latency than the wired network. With an antenna or repeater on the windowsill (both of which we have lying around, but not on campus), we're pretty sure we could log on from our room, as there are a few access points at the library and cafeteria next door. Would it be possible, out of curiosity, to bond the two connections into one with more bandwidth?

Or, could we at least tell the OSes (I use OSX Leopard, he uses Windows Vista) to have some tasks go over wireless and others go over wired? The campus has a pretty good DC++ network, but it is not on the wireless network.

If it's relevant, the wireless network requires a log in through a HTTP page. Is that going to make this harder?

Also, would it upset the campus IT department if we used a wireless repeater? I have been using wireless transmission from my Mac to bridge the ethernet connection to my Wii, and haven't had much trouble with that, but it's not broadcast very far and I only have it up for an hour or so at a time.

Thanks for your help.

I just really don't want to plug another thing into the wall...

2bucksplus — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:16:34 -0800

I have a cable modem provided by Time Warner Cable of NYC (seen here). The back of the device has one 10 Base-T port (ethernet jack) and one USB type B jack. Can I connect a laptop to the USB jack and my Xbox 360 to the ethernet jack? If not, is there anyway to connect multiple devices, wired or wirelessly, to the internet without needing an additional power source?

Ideally I would like to connect:

1 Laptop (connected wired or wirelessly)
1 Xbox 360 (and I am willing to buy the official wireless adapter if necessary)
1 Wii (and I am willing to buy the USB wired adapter if necessary)

Connecting the Wii is the lowest priority for me.

Is there anything I could connect to the USB Type B port to set up a wireless network without using another power plug?

Is there an ethernet switch that does not require power? Maybe one that runs on magic?

Could I replace the cable modem with one that would do the same job, but provide a few extra ports or wireless?

FWIW, all of these devices are in about a 3 foot radius.

I am seriously out of room on my surge protector here.

Tell me about current NAS manufacturers and technology?

loquacious — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 04:53:34 -0800

Tell me about Network Attached Storage ( NAS )? In particular what current manufactuers should I avoid for a typical 1 terabyte (or greater) RAID array? I'm also interested in general information and pitfalls for NAS devices and implementations. Deployment is for a mixed platform small office - about 8 seats. Platforms are XP, Vista and OS X.

I'm assuming SAMBA protocol for shares. Usage is low to medium - the office needs a data/file server for storing and reliably sharing typical office documents.

They emphatically do not need an actual server. There's no forseeable upgrade path to an in-office Exchange server or domain controller or the like - this is handled by a remote office through VPN. I could build them a PC-based solution using something like FreeNAS but that would be overkill, and I don't want to introduce a possibly flaky desktop/server into their office.

What NAS models or manufacturers are considered the most reliable? Best support? Best value?

Much thanks in advance!

How to repair severed ethernet cable?

tomwheeler — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 06:41:24 -0800

How can I repair a severed ethernet cable? While doing some remodeling, my contractor accidentally severed the CAT 6 ethernet cable I had run inside the walls. Replacing the entire run is not an option, but I can easily get to section that was cut.

The way I know to fix it is to cleanly cut each severed end, attach plugs and connect them via a coupler, but perhaps I am overlooking a better/easier way.

Help me lower this time capsule into the ground...

roombythelake — Thu, 22 May 2008 23:24:50 -0800

Time capsule/Mac trouble--help me start backing up my data with a minimum of muss/fuss! Hi folks. I'm using a Macbook (new last fall) and I've just bought Leopard and a Time Capsule to use for backing up my data (after a catastrophic crash--PSA, MeFites, please PLEASE back up your data!!!). Here's the catch: I'm renting a room in a house, and so obviously I can't use the Time Capsule as the primary router. Time Capsule claims it can work through the existing network, which would be great for me even though it would be slower than if it were the network's primary router.

The problem is that while going through my set-up process for Time Capsule it does not recognize my Time Capsule again after I input my preferences. (This guy had exactly the same problem--check out his description to see my problem...) Anyway, the error message reads thusly:

"AirPort Utility was unable to find your Apple wireless device after restarting. The settings for this Apple wireless device have been successfully updated, but there was a problem rejoining the wireless network or finding the Apple wireless device. You may need to select your network from the AirPort menu and try again."

After doing some research, one possible reason for this seems to be that my landlady's wireless network uses WEP security, whereas apparently WPA security is now recommended, and runs much more smoothly with external devices. Most of the Time Capsule suggestions, then, involve changing the network from WEP to WPA but that doesn't help me--as a lowly renter, I don't want to mess around with their computer or their network setup.

Can anyone confirm or deny that this WEP/WPA stuff might be my problem, or suggest a workaround fix that would get me connected without tinkering with the network itself?

Failing that, can I can just connect my Time Capsule via USB cable when I'm at my desk and back up with Time Machine that way? (I say USB because I've got one sitting here in front of me--I don't want to shell out for an ethernet cable unless that's required...)

And if I did, will I then be able to switch back and forth seamlessly between usb and wireless connections as need be after I move out of here in two months?

Thanks in advance!

Help me connect up this network?

chairish — Wed, 21 May 2008 11:44:50 -0800

I have been charged with the task of adding a switch to a network. There are ethernet jack points at each workstation and each of these go back to a network cabinet. Apparently to make the connections live I need to add a switch. Where can I find a tutorial that will quickly get me up to speed with this sort of networking?

Windows won't serve to Mac

airplain — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 09:45:41 -0800

Problem: OSX to Windows direct-wired ethernet connection works, but the Mac can't see the shared PC drives. The PC and the Mac are both normally on wifi but the Mac's Airport is turned off now. Both machines have manual addresses set on their ethernet NICs, with direct CAT5 cable between the two; PC = 10.0.0.1/255.255.255.0; Mac=10.0.0.2/255.255.255.0. (The cable isn't a crossover, because OSX now manages that.) Ping works in both directions (i.e. from either machine to the other.) I want to connect from the Mac to the PC's share D, so I do flower-K to connect to smb://10.0.0.1/D.

First time I tried the Mac's dialog showed "Connecting" then radio buttons for 'guest' or "name + password". Because the PC's guest account was off I tried the PC's name+pw but OSX rejected it (and other names+pws) and said "not allowed..." [NOT the exact words, and I can no longer get this dialog].

I enabled the PC's guest a/c and tried the guest radiobutton on the Mac's Connect to Server. No success. Now the Mac doesn't ask for name and pw at all, and there's no guest/ID+PW choice nor radiobutton. Every time I try to connect from Mac to smb://10.0.0.1/D (or other share on the PC) the response after trying to connect is "Connection Failed. You do not have permission to access this server."

Windows Local Security Settings policies are not assigned. Do I need to change any other security settings?

As mentioned Airport is disabled on the Mac, but it's active on the PC. Another Mac here can share the PC just fine over wireless; no problem logging in - pretty much any username+pw works, it's not picky.

I need a fast connection though, to get stuff onto the new goodness of Mac (fresh yesterday. Yum.)

Hw/software: Macbook 13"; 2.1 GHz core duo; 1GB; internal NIC; running MacOS X .5.2. Windows XP Pro sp2 on homebuilt PC (ASUS mobo, Athlon 1500+ @ 1.3 GHz) 512 MB; Intel PRO/100 NIC. (Both OSes have current updates.)

Sharing (via WiFi) a NAS connected via ethernet to a MacMini

franconi — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:31:55 -0800

Hi, I have a WiFi network to which a MacMini (with Leopard) is connected. An ethernet NAS disk (ReadyNAS NV+) is connected directly to the MacMini via ethernet. The shares of the NAS disk are correctly mounted on the MacMini. My goal would be to be able to see the NAS shares also from other Macs connected to the WiFi.
This is roughly the architecture:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MacMini ------ethernet------ NAS-disk
DSL---WiFiRouter
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OtherMac

The NAS-disk is configured to advertise itself via bonjour and appletalk: in fact, when I connect the NAS-disk directly to the WiFiRouter via ethernet, both the MacMini and the OtherMac see the shares of the NAS-disk.

However, when the NAS-disk is connected vie ethernet as above to the MacMini, then only the MacMini sees its shares. I tried to put the shares of the NAS-disk as shared folders in the File Sharing part of the Sharing panel, but apparently they are not accepted (I can not drag them there, nor are they selectable from a file browser window). I also tried to do an Internet Sharing from Airport to Ethernet, but to no avail.

Any suggestion?

broken internet connection

luser — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 05:38:21 -0800

I just wiped Vista from my Dell e521 and installed XP pro. Internet connection came right up. Unplugged the ethernet cable from the e521, plugged it into a c521 and did the exact same thing. Internet connection doesn't work. What could be wrong? I dl'd and installed all XP drivers from Dell prior to testing connection.

When I test the connection with the Broadcom diagnostic utility it fails, saying "A valid IP address is required." Then it shows an IP field with all zeros labeled "Destination IP" and under that says "Could not obtain gateway address or the Network Device is set to a static IP addresss." (It is not, the router (D-link DI-524) is set to Dynamic IP address. )

I entered the router's gateway address in the IP field and then the test says "send packet failed". Any ideas?

Help me extend my LAN, please!

dance — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 03:25:28 -0800

I'm extending an wired ethernet LAN to a nearby house. I'm planning to connect a 50m patch cable to the existing bridge router, run it through an existing underground pipe to the other house where it would meet a switch and serve internet via two shorter patch cables (25m?) to two laptops in that house. Can anyone see a problem with this setup? For example: I've read about the 100m signal interference rule, but is that rule refreshed again at my switch? i.e. whilst the total distance in cable from the bridge router is 75m, the closest I'll come to that 100m signal loss rule is the 50m run? Thanks for help!

Lighting arrestor to dampen the ground voltage differential

jumpsuit_boy — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 18:24:19 -0800

Using a lighting arrestor to dampen the ground voltage differential between two building. Ok so my mother moved down to mexico a few years ago. The place she rents does not have a phone but the neighbor does. So she got DSL at the neighbors place and then we ran a phone line over to my mothers place to hook up the DSL modem. This all works great.

Now the neighbor has bought a computer and wants internet access. So I need to get a connect back over to her house. (yes I could move the DSL modem to the neighbors but the house is poorly grounded and they burn out cordless phones all the time so I do not expect the DSL modem would fair very well. I have grounded by mother place so it is not as much on an issue for the DSL to stay are here place.

I have two plans one long term and one short term. In the long term I will place two external wireless modems down there to connect the buildings. They have to be external because all the buildings have 12 to 15 inch thick concrete and masonry walls that I wireless signal will not make it thru. Also I will have to cut down a few trees probably to get a clear shot.

Now the short term solution an the reason for this question. I am thinking I can run long outdoor grade ethernet cable between the buildings and use a lightning arrestor http://metrix.net/cat-5-lightning-arrestor-p-23.html do dissipate the ground voltage differential between that is bound to be between the two building.

Am I crazy to think that this might work?

Macfilter: How can I use ethernet and wifi at the same time on my Macs?

lonemantis — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 17:52:05 -0800

Is it possible to connect two macs via ethernet (to share files back and forth on their wired LAN), but both be connected to the internet wirelessly at the same time using airport? (an airport extreme is connected to DSL on the lower level of the apartment). If so, how? More information if necessary: (recently purchased Airport Extreme basestation connected to DSL; G5 with Tiger; iMac-intel with Tiger). I'd like to ethernet the two Macs so they're networked to share files, etc, but have them be able to use the remote Airport extreme to connect to the web.