[freakotaku14]

OK, so i've been having issues with my wireless network for at least a year now. I've tried countless "solutions" but its just a never ending battle.

So i decided that im totally done with this nonsense for my gaming desktop, because constant disconnects from servers and severe lag are driving me up the wall.

I'm thiiiiis close *holds up index finger and thumb pressed together* to running a 100ft ethernet cable over the roof of the house and into the room where my gaming desktop is, because i can't seems to find a better way to do it. Running it through the wall, in the attic or under the house all aren't options.

So here's my question:
Is there a better way?! And if there isn't, would i need some kind of protection for the cable? maybe run it through pvc or something?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[JohnWill]

Well, I'm curious to why routing it inside isn't an option. You may have to get a little creative, but there are always ways to route the cable inside. Routing the cable over the roof is NOT a good idea for a host of reasons. One would be lightning, that would make a dandy lightning rod!

You can run the cable through closets, in heat ducts, etc. I've fished cables where it was deemed impossible.

Before you rule out running it inside, I'd do some thinking on that score, because it's a much better option than stringing it over the roof!

[zx10guy]

If you do decide to use HVAC ducts, make sure the cable you get is plenum rated cable.

[freakotaku14]

Originally Posted by JohnWill

Well, I'm curious to why routing it inside isn't an option. You may have to get a little creative, but there are always ways to route the cable inside. Routing the cable over the roof is NOT a good idea for a host of reasons. One would be lightning, that would make a dandy lightning rod!

You can run the cable through closets, in heat ducts, etc. I've fished cables where it was deemed impossible.

Before you rule out running it inside, I'd do some thinking on that score, because it's a much better option than stringing it over the roof!

Well, the router is on the complete opposite side of the house, and i've never done any cable routing through or inside walls so...I could maybe drill a hole from one room to another or something simple, but otherwise...im lost.
And ethernet stops working at...300ish feet, correct? If i ran it through the house I might be able to do it with a 200ft cable.

And I had another idea. Maybe if i ran the cable underneath the overhang on the egde of the roof? Like how people run Christmas lights.

Originally Posted by zx10guy

If you do decide to use HVAC ducts, make sure the cable you get is plenum rated cable.

Ah...not sure what that means, but if I do use HVAC ducts, I'll be sure to google it.

[zx10guy]

Plenum rated cable is cable with a special jacket over the wires. The jacket is meant to not emit noxious fumes in the event of a fire.

[JohnWill]

Any outside wiring is not a really good idea, not to mention the cosmetic aspect of having wires hanging from the house! Outside wiring would also have to be UV resistant outdoor rated cable.

I'm really against running cable outdoors the way you describe.

I have a 5,000 sq/ft house, and I've run cables all through the house, and I've never come close to the 300 foot limit for an Ethernet cable. The only way I can see doing that is wrapping it around the house!

[parttimetechie]

I assume you have looked into wireless repeaters and the like? One thing you could try is getting the powerline adapters, where you plug in your ethernet cable into a spcial AC power plug and then bring the ehternet out of the AC plug w/e your gaming setup is.

This is what your looking for
http://www.frys.com/search?search_ty...x=0&submit.y=0

Hope that helps

[JohnWill]

I have a very low opinion of power line networking. I've personally tried two different brands here, and I have tried it for several other people, never did get a good working connection.

[parttimetechie]

hmm, thats interesting, ive had a few friends use them, and they seemed to love them. What were their specific complaints?

[freakotaku14]

I have heard of them, but i assumed they weren't well suited for high speed connections. I suppose I'll look into them as well.

[JohnWill]

My problem with them was either intermittent connections or none at all. In a total of four different locations, three houses and one office building, we were never able to use them with any reliability. I have relegated them to the scrap heap of progress.

[freakotaku14]

Originally Posted by JohnWill

My problem with them was either intermittent connections or none at all. In a total of four different locations, three houses and one office building, we were never able to use them with any reliability. I have relegated them to the scrap heap of progress.

That doesnt exactly sound promising, so i think ill pass on that.
And i actually have good news, I found out that it actually wouldn't be that hard to run it through my attic! Any tips? Should i actually run it through my wall and out an old phone jack, or should i just have it run into the hallway, where there's an access point to the attic, and into the room? Is it difficult to run it down the wall?

[JohnWill]

Well, I always run the stuff inside the wall, I cut the hole for the outlet (or use an existing one like the phone jack you mention), and then use a fishing tape from the attic or basement.

Fish Tape



This allows you to drill into the header in the attic, stick the tape through and capture it in the hole in the wall. Hook your wire to it, and drag it through the wall, just like the pro's do.

It helps to have two people for this task, one to feed the wire and make sure it doesn't get kinked, and the other one to pull it at the destination.

[freakotaku14]

Dude. You rock. Thanks for all your help!
Thread officially solved.