network cables

[Phugbox]

I'm gonna be having lots of fun in the near future. Yesterday I finally got my Linksys router configured, the only reaons it took me that long was because of the fact that I needed to update the firmware. took me way too long to figure that out, but hey, I'm harware, not software.

For the moment, there is only one computer connected to the router. This however will not be that state of things for very long.
I will, within the next 7-10 days, be aquiring a second, and MUCH faster computer than the one my parents own. Now comes the problem of getting the connection to my computer. Fortunately there is a grate that travels through the intervening wall that lies between the home office, and my room.

The funny thing is that the actual distance from the router is only about 7 feet, however in an effort to comply with my mother's requests, I am attempting to keep the cable as unobtrusive as possible, meaning running it up and around a doorframe. This requires 35 feet of cable, 40 to be safe and have loads extra, just in case.

this is the tough decision. Since I intend to later have more than one comp in my room, this is definite, and I don't want to run a second cable, do I simply go ahead right now and purchase a 4 port hub and a 40 foot crossed-over cable? or do I wait until that time comes and purchase a 40 foot straight-through cable for the time being and leave it at that. Or even so I could probably buy the cable as straight-through and then later cut off the ends and redo the connections. I have the mad-Cisco-skillz to do this.

comments, questions, statements of my mental incapacity, ideas on how much it's going to run me for a 40 footer?

thanks, I know, it's a lot to read, but hey, I throw flavor into it. :cool:

[KaHNZa]

Bah, I would just get the hub and a crossover. That way you don't have to worry about it later.

[Diggrr]

If you're on the first floor, and the basement underneath has a ceiling you can get into, why not put a jack in each room connected with straight cat-5 cabled under the floor.

You can leave the router on their computer. The jacks would just be an extended patch cord.

Later, when you have more than one computer, add your own hub to your line, then jack out to them from it.

By the way, there's no need for a crossover cable with a hub or router, just straight in normal cords.

[Phugbox]

good advice on both cases, but I think I'll probably end up going for something along the crossed over and the hub.

plus I'm on the second floor, so putting in the wall jacks wouldn't work, otherswise I would have seriously considered doing that.
unfortunately it's just not an option.

any Ideas on where I should go in Toronto for a 40 cable at a good price? any idea on what it'll run me?

so it'll be a crossed-over going from the uplink port on the router to the hub. most likely

[Kingslayer]

You dont need a crossover cable if you use the uplink port. Use a normal cable if you use the uplink port. It's already crossed-over internally.

[Phugbox]

nice, so I'll just go ahead and get the 40 footer straight-through and then get the hub when I get the other box