Setup 100baseTX LAN: Tips and Considerations

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around setting up a 100baseTX LAN between two PCs that are currently operating on a 10baseT connection. Participants explore the feasibility of upgrading to 100baseTX and full duplex, while considering potential issues and technical requirements related to cabling and network configuration.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that the current 10baseT connection operates at 10Mbps and expresses interest in upgrading to 100baseTX for a faster connection.
  • Another participant suggests that network cards typically negotiate the best speed automatically when set to auto.
  • Concerns are raised about the quality of the cable, with one participant questioning whether it was purchased or homemade.
  • There is a mention that forcing the network cards to higher speeds might work, but it is uncertain.
  • A participant emphasizes that a cat-5 cable is generally recommended unless specialized networking is required.
  • One participant clarifies that switching to full duplex does not yield a 200Mbps connection, but rather 100Mbps in both directions, and discusses the implications of half duplex versus full duplex in terms of collisions.
  • Another participant reiterates that a cat-5 crossover cable does not require a hub, while a standard cat-5 cable would.
  • The original poster expresses frustration after attempting to switch to 100Mbps without success and considers trying full duplex for a potential 20Mbps connection.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach to upgrade the network, and multiple competing views on cabling and duplex settings remain. There is uncertainty about the effectiveness of forcing speed settings and the implications of different cable types.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss various technical aspects of networking, including the types of cables and the negotiation of speeds between network cards, but do not resolve the specific issues faced by the original poster.

Mudvaynelethaldosage
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I just set up a 10baseT LAN between 2 pcs with an ethernet crossover cable. It operates at 10Mbps, half duplex. I know the ethernet card in this pc supports 100baseTX, and I'm pretty sure the NIC in the other pc does as well.
I'd like to set them to 100baseTX and full duplex to try to get a 200Mbps connection. Is there anything I should know about doing this? I don't share the internet connection, it's dial up and extremely slow.
I should also note that the 10baseT connection was automatically set because both NICs were set to autodetect by default.
Thank you.
 
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Usually the cards will negotiate the best speed when set to auto.

Is it a cable you bought or made yourself?

It could be a bad cable i suppose, but not likely if you bought it.

You could try forcing the higher speeds by going into the properties of each card. Might work, might not.
 
Mudvaynelethaldosage said:
I just set up a 10baseT LAN between 2 pcs with an ethernet crossover cable. It operates at 10Mbps, half duplex. I know the ethernet card in this pc supports 100baseTX, and I'm pretty sure the NIC in the other pc does as well.
I'd like to set them to 100baseTX and full duplex to try to get a 200Mbps connection. Is there anything I should know about doing this? I don't share the internet connection, it's dial up and extremely slow.
I should also note that the 10baseT connection was automatically set because both NICs were set to autodetect by default.
Thank you.

always buy cat5 unless you are doing some crazy specialty networking (like 10Gb ethernet).
 
ComputerGeek said:
always buy cat5 unless you are doing some crazy specialty networking (like 10Gb ethernet).

A cat-5 cable would require a hub or router though.
 
I think I was a little misunderstood. I have a 10Mbps network running from NIC to NIC that is actively running on this pc as I type. I was just wondering if there would be any unforseen problems with switching it over to 100Mbps.
However, I already tried switching to 100Mbps and it didn't work. I'm just going to have to mess with when I have the time and motivation, or try switching to full duplex so I can get a 20Mbps connection.
 
You don't get 200Mps on full duplex, you get 100 in both directions, which can also get in half duplex, but you will have many collisions. If your Card supports 100 then you can use 100 no problems

A cat-5 cable would require a hub or router though.

As long as its a cross connect you won't need a Hub, and you definitely won't need a router.

Half Duplex is what you call simplex in telecoms, and uses 2 wires, Full duplex uses 4 wires (or 2 pairs), and thus you can send a receive data on a different pair of wires and thus you don't have any collisions..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full-duplex
 
Last edited:
Mudvaynelethaldosage said:
A cat-5 cable would require a hub or router though.

a cat5 crossover cable would not require a hub.
 
Thank you anttech. That cleared up the main thing I was wondering about. As for the other, I'll figure it out myself.
 

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