internet in a log cabin

[heisthegaffer]

Hi all

I'm building a log cabin at the end of my garden so will lay some network cable along with the armoured mains cable. What do I have at the end of it, just a normal router such as this one:-

http://www.ebuyer.com/259802-tp-link-tl-mr3420-wir...

Thanks

[zippy3x]

Use Powerline adapters

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Computers-Accessories/T...

Small box in the house wired to router. Other box(es) in you cabin as per needs.

These particular extensions have wifi and two ports. you can also get 3 port non-wifi, single port etc. All can be mixed and matched.

[telford_mike]

That's a 3G router. You want a simpler device like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-TL-WA801ND-Wirele...

Or, simpler still, get a couple of homeplugs, don't bother with the network cables and send the network connection down the mains cables:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/WiFi-Boosters/TL-WPA422...

[TooMany2cvs]

telford_mike said:

Or, simpler still, get a couple of homeplugs, don't bother with the network cables and send the network connection down the mains cables:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/WiFi-Boosters/TL-WPA422...

^ This.

It's what I use here - we've got a VERY thick stone wall half-way down the house, so no wireless in the other end from the router. Then there's an outbuilding. Three of those, and seamless wireless all over.

[Murph7355]

Contrary to the above, if you can lay a specific cable, lay one.

What you have at the other end then depends what you want to do with it.

A simple WiFi access point will give you WiFi. A switch at the other end will allow you to connect more devices with wired connections. A combination of both more still.

Just be mindful of how much you want to connect as that will dictate how many cables to run.

[J4CKO]

I went to the trouble of burying an Ethernet cable to mine, didn't work, just stuck some powerline adapters either end and works fine.

Everyone assumes though that you have built yourself a timber based Mastabatorium if you have internet in your cabin/man shed

[loudlashadjuster]

J4CKO said:

Everyone assumes though that you have built yourself a timber based Mastabatorium if you have internet in your cabin/man shed

[zippy3x]

Murph7355 said:

Contrary to the above, if you can lay a specific cable, lay one.

What you have at the other end then depends what you want to do with it.

A simple WiFi access point will give you WiFi. A switch at the other end will allow you to connect more devices with wired connections. A combination of both more still.

Just be mindful of how much you want to connect as that will dictate how many cables to run.

I'm not seeing your reasoning for network cable. Multiple Powerline adaptors can be plugged in to multiple power sockets. Some Wifi, some wired.

Why would you want to go to the additional hassle of laying extra cables

[ATG]

zippy3x said:

Murph7355 said:

Contrary to the above, if you can lay a specific cable, lay one.

What you have at the other end then depends what you want to do with it.

A simple WiFi access point will give you WiFi. A switch at the other end will allow you to connect more devices with wired connections. A combination of both more still.

Just be mindful of how much you want to connect as that will dictate how many cables to run.

I'm not seeing your reasoning for network cable. Multiple Powerline adaptors can be plugged in to multiple power sockets. Some Wifi, some wired.

Why would you want to go to the additional hassle of laying extra cables

This is one of the few occasions where I'd run ethernet cable. I generally think that running 6 lengths of Cat6 to every plug in the living room and 7 to the bidet is completely mad. But it makes good sense to have a wired backbone as wired ethernet connections do give you more stable, higher bandwidth and lower latency than wifi or IP over mains and much better range. If you're already going to the trouble of digging a trench for a power cable and you want Internet access in the cabin, chucking a run or two of Cat5 or 6 in too seems like a no-brainer. It will cost next to bugger all to do so.

[loudlashadjuster]

ATG said:

This is one of the few occasions where I'd run ethernet cable. I generally think that running 6 lengths of Cat6 to every plug in the living room and 7 to the bidet is completely mad. But it makes good sense to have a wired backbone as wired ethernet connections do give you more stable, higher bandwidth and lower latency than wifi or IP over mains and much better range. If you're already going to the trouble of digging a trench for a power cable and you want Internet access in the cabin, chucking a run or two of Cat5 or 6 in too seems like a no-brainer. It will cost next to bugger all to do so.

Absolutely. Powerline is OK (I have five adapters in my house) but it is subject to restrictions and compromises that are simply not relevant with a proper ethernet connection.

[megaphone]

Murph7355 said:

Contrary to the above, if you can lay a specific cable, lay one.

What you have at the other end then depends what you want to do with it.

A simple WiFi access point will give you WiFi. A switch at the other end will allow you to connect more devices with wired connections. A combination of both more still.

Just be mindful of how much you want to connect as that will dictate how many cables to run.

This. Powerline adaptors are a compromise.

I'd advise running your CAT5 in a conduit, some plastic water pipe or similar, this will protect the cable and allow a new one to be pulled in if needed.

[Murph7355]

zippy3x said:

I'm not seeing your reasoning for network cable. Multiple Powerline adaptors can be plugged in to multiple power sockets. Some Wifi, some wired.

Why would you want to go to the additional hassle of laying extra cables

Because he's running cables anyway so there is pretty much zero extra effort running more.

As mentioned above, Powerlines are a compromise and they do not work in some scenarios. Ditto non-Powerline WiFi extenders etc.

If done properly (ie not like J4CKO ) a cable will run more reliably and faster.

Running cables when you're having no other work done rarely makes any sense. But the second you get an opportunity, run them.

[Brother D]

Just want to mention it's not generally a great idea to run Cat5 between buildings due to the potential difference (and lightening strikes etc).

Usual method is to run Fiber (but you need switches with SFP ports) or RF

Saying that, I've run cat5 between buildings several times without any issues over the years!

[heisthegaffer]

Thanks all. As I'll be digging a 60CM trench I may as well chuck a couple of CAT6 cables in there too. Do they need to be in conduit?

[cashmax]

heisthegaffer said:

Thanks all. As I'll be digging a 60CM trench I may as well chuck a couple of CAT6 cables in there too. Do they need to be in conduit?

Use an outdoor rated cat 5 cable and don't bother with conduit, always run 2 of them since its easy. Also, no reason for CAT 6, I would use outdoor cat 5.

Completely agree that cables are the way to go, powerline adapters can be unreliable, poor latency, no option to run POE at a later date and dependent on the power source at all times. A huge compromise.

[eharding]

Brother D said:

Just want to mention it's not generally a great idea to run Cat5 between buildings due to the potential difference (and lightening strikes etc).

Usual method is to run Fiber (but you need switches with SFP ports) or RF

Saying that, I've run cat5 between buildings several times without any issues over the years!

We had a network failure due to suspected lightning-induced potential between a main building and offices in converted stables across a courtyard - fitted something similar to this:

http://www.l-com.com/secure-data-l-com-10-100-1000...

No further problems.

[WinstonWolf]

cashmax said:

heisthegaffer said:

Thanks all. As I'll be digging a 60CM trench I may as well chuck a couple of CAT6 cables in there too. Do they need to be in conduit?

Use an outdoor rated cat 5 cable and don't bother with conduit, always run 2 of them since its easy. Also, no reason for CAT 6, I would use outdoor cat 5.

Completely agree that cables are the way to go, powerline adapters can be unreliable, poor latency, no option to run POE at a later date and dependent on the power source at all times. A huge compromise.

Personally I'd lay them in a duct with a draw wire just in case...

[Zetec-S]

J4CKO said:

Everyone assumes though that you have built yourself a timber based Mastabatorium if you have internet in your cabin/man shed

Struggled to stifle a snigger in the office when reading that

[megaphone]

heisthegaffer said:

Thanks all. As I'll be digging a 60CM trench I may as well chuck a couple of CAT6 cables in there too. Do they need to be in conduit?

Personally I'd always use a conduit, it will give the cables some protection and allow them to be replaced if you ever need to. I've used blue water pipe before as it's cheap and strong. I'd also use outdoor grade cable.

What is the length of cable run?

[heisthegaffer]

megaphone said:

Personally I'd always use a conduit, it will give the cables some protection and allow them to be replaced if you ever need to. I've used blue water pipe before as it's cheap and strong. I'd also use outdoor grade cable.

What is the length of cable run?

Thanks. I I will use conduit then and put two lengths in. Cable will be around 20m or so. Do i get it from Amazon or somewhere else you'd recommend?