Network Wiring Question

[Erik]

I have setup a small home network of three computers, mainly to share cable internet, and everything is working perfectly now. One of the computers is a laptop, and in my basement. I am in the process of remodeling the basement, and was thinking of putting an extra RJ-45 jack in their while I have no walls. I already have one by the computer station. I was thinking of running a CAT 5 cable out of that and to a secondary box in another part of the room, so that the laptop can be moved around. Both would be using the same port on my router in this manner. I would only have the computer in one location at any gicen time. Would this be a problem?

Thanks.

[FastLearner]

Hi Erik. I am a little confused at what you're trying to do. Tell me if this is correct:

You have three computers that all connect to the internet through the use of a router and one cable modem. You want to share one port of your router between two computers that are hard-wired wita a Cat 5 cable, and use one computer as a relay for the signal? It sounds like you also want to use one computer as a relay between your laptop and router. Please clarify your setup and intentions, and I'm quite certain that someone can help you out.

Do you have a router with wireless capabilities?

[classicsoftware]

If you want two computers in your basement to share one wire that runs to the router on adifferent floor:

1) Run the cat 5 cable from the room the router is in to the basement with an RJ-45 connection at each end.

2) Get an inexpensive hub and you can connect several computer in the basement via Cat-5 patch cables to the router.

3) You will also need a patch cable to connect the wall jack to the router

[bassman]

Hi Erik,
Yes you can run a single wire with multipul points of connection as long as there is only one computer on that line. ;)

[FastLearner]

Hey Classic. I keep seeing the term 'patch' cable and was wondering what that is. Is that not just normal Cat 5 UTP copper wire? Thanks.

[bassman]

Hey newbie, a patch cable is Cat5 and would be the cable you use to connect a computer to a router, hub, switch, or wall jack. A crossover cable is one that is used directly between two computers as there is nothing in that setup that switches the flow of incoming and outgoing information.

[classicsoftware]

Originally posted by bassman
Hi Erik,
Yes you can run a single wire with multipul points of connection as long as there is only one computer on that line. ;)

True as long as you DO NOT add a hub. If you add a hub, you can have multiple computers on one cable without a hub, only one at a time.