Performance of CAT6 cables if they are run across 250FT + ?

[johnpau80]

Hi All,

Need some answers from expertise:

We are setting up a new warehouse building with the network cables(CAT6). And the distance from our server room to some of the data jacks which are far behind in our warehouse are 250+ feet and some are 300+ feet.

So I am sure there will be a performace issue or slow down in applications when these computers in the warehouse run.

Whats the best way to boost the performance for these computers which are in the warehouse ? Do I need to put a switch in between rather than running a 250 + feet cable ?

Any recommended switches or any good suggestions appreciated.


Thanks
SAM

 

[skip555]

its still ethernet , good for 100 meters as long as you can keep it there you will be ok

250+ ok

300 +, well you are getting right down to it there

I would plan for a switch to serve the 300+ workstaions

probably a situation for a Cabling contractor who can lay it out and get you best longterm performance rather than DIY

 

[johnpau80]

SO is it good to have a SWITCH in between the 300+ feet
cable and run it.

Can i have a switch at 200 feet and then run another cable
from there ?

 

[skip555]

put a switch at 200 then you can go another 100 meters from there

 

[mforrence]

In warehouse situations it is not convenient to put a switch in the middle, simply becuase it then requires protection and AC power. Sometimes it is best to run a piece of fiber to the best location for remote switch, then wire all neighboring PC devices to this remote location.
Mike

 

[skip555]

well if you have workstations at 200' then you would have power .

its usally not a big deal to find a spot with power where a switch can be mounted .

in some situations fiber is called for , dosnt sound like this is one of them

 

[Tyras]

The best solution that I've used for a plant with a side warehouse was simply to run 1 fiber pull to the site, terminate to a fiber to cat5 converter, and connect to a switch in the telco room on the warehouse. This is usually the best solution for buildings offset from the main area (or wherever the network equipment is). This may cost a little more but will give you less fuss in the long run, and you'd avoid having to put switches at different cable lengths to prevent attenuation.

Tyras M

 

[Auger282]

I agree with tyras if you have the $ I'd pull a 6 or 8 strand fiber to the other side of the building as an IDF so you have coverage for everywhere (plus expansion and redundancy).

you can use converters at both ends to begin with and then maybe bulk up to some fiber switches in the future

 

[johnpau80]

Just an idea as how much would it be costing to run an

================================================
1 fiber pull to the site, terminate to a fiber to cat6 converter,
=============================================

for a distance of 200 feet

 

[SkipCox]

I think skip has the practical approach and solution here. This doesn't sound like an install that needs fiber to me either.

Skip

http://skipcox.net

 

[gregfranklin]

I have pretty much the same configuration, and I was thinking about running fibre until I saw how much 3 fibre modules would cost. One fibre module for each end and a spare. A nice 12 port L2 switch with an enclosure and a UPS would be way less than half of the cost for a fibre run, so would it not make sense, if you are on a budget, to use the switch option?

 

[aarenot]

Have a floor plan, and a scale, know how to read them? Find an existing cable run that goes from your existing switch to a PC. From there look at your floor plan, can you reach the rest of your PC's within 275 feet? If so put a switch there since it has a cable run, and poweer. Run the rest of the cables from there.
Use a stand off style patch panel, like a 66 blocks stand off style. They can terminate 12 network cables.
Remember, this is a warehouse not a bank, it does not need to be pretty like the server room. If he had a huge budget he would be paying a consultant, not here asking the guys who know how to do it on a budget.
For that matter, if you do not mind some slower speeds, you can go over 330 feet as well, but it will be slower. I have run cat 5 over 500 feet and it still worked, but slow.

You do not always get what you pay for, but you never get what you do not pay for.