Outdoor wired networking advice

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges of establishing a reliable wired network connection from a router located in one corner of a house to a workroom in another corner. Participants explore various options for outdoor cabling, concerns about environmental exposure, and alternative networking solutions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • The original poster (OP) is considering running a 150-foot outdoor cable and is seeking advice on durability and potential issues like grounding and lightning strikes.
  • Some participants suggest using a Wi-Fi repeater as an alternative to running a cable, questioning the strength of the Wi-Fi signal in the work area.
  • One participant proposes using a directional antenna at the router as a flexible solution to improve Wi-Fi coverage.
  • Another participant mentions powerline networking adapters as a potential solution, sharing their experience with streaming video over long distances within the house.
  • There is a suggestion that the OP could consider relocating the router closer to the workroom to improve connectivity without additional hardware.
  • Concerns are raised about the risks of outdoor cabling, particularly regarding exposure to the elements and lightning strikes.
  • One participant warns against burying the cable due to potential service difficulties and suggests that most wireless routers have sufficient range for the distance involved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple competing views on how to address the connectivity issue, with no consensus reached on the best approach. Suggestions range from running outdoor cabling to using wireless solutions like repeaters or powerline adapters.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of concern regarding environmental factors affecting outdoor cabling, including durability and safety from lightning strikes. The discussion does not resolve these concerns or provide definitive recommendations.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals facing similar networking challenges, particularly those considering outdoor cabling or exploring alternative networking solutions in residential settings.

TheRascalKing
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Hello all,
so I'm sick of connecting wirelessly from my router (in the bottom, rear, west corner of my house) to the room where I do all of my work (the top, front, east corner). I decided I'm going to run a cable along the outside of the house and into the work room.

The cable will not be buried, and I'm worried about it being subject to the elements. It will be about 150 feet, and as I understand it, there isn't any serious performance loss until about 200 feet or more, so that shouldn't be a problem.

So far, it seems to me like a cable like this one should do the job:
http://www.rakuten.com/prod/150ft-outdoor-waterproof-cat6-ethernet-cable-direct-burial/211959042.html

However, before I go and spend my money, I want to make sure this is the right tool for the job.
Other than installing it along the house, is there any additional steps that I would have to take to ensure durability? Would I have to worry about grounding and lightning strikes?

Thanks

EDIT: I should probably also mention where I live, in case climate makes a difference. I live in the Greater Philadelphia Area, so we get a little bit of everything weather-wise, but nothing too extreme.
 
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If the house's electrical wiring is in good shape, perhaps a pair of powerline networking adapters would do the trick.

WD Livewire Powerline AV Network Kit

Linksys Powerline AV 4-Port Network Adapter Kit (PLSK400)

I've been considering getting one of these two models, to allow me to stream video faster between my computer at one end of my house to the audio/video setup at the other end. I now have to use a wireless extender (a second Apple Airport Express unit) to cover the distance and punch through the intervening walls.
 
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Maybe the OP could move the router one room or two closer toward the the top, front, east corner?
 
TheRascalKing said:
The cable will not be buried, and I'm worried about it being subject to the elements.
What about a lightning strike?
 
Burying your cable will expose you to all sorts of undesirable side effects that will be difficult to service without replacing the cable. Most wireless routers easily have a range of a hundred or more feet. At worst, you might need a repeater.
 

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