ADSL Wall > PC Cord Length Impact?

[Johanna]

Hi!
The cord from my ADSL socket to my PC is at least 5 metres longer than
it needs to be.
It was installed like that in case I wanted to move the PC later on..

I am wondering if the extra metres reduce my upload/download speed?
I had thought it would not, but I read something to the contrary, and
now I am not sure - I am not experienced with networking hardware issues.

I don't want to start messing with the network cables unless there is a
decent speed gain to be made. I have never cut a network cable, so I
might damage the cable.... On the other hand, if there is a significant
improvements, I'd read up and do it!

I have a 8Mbps / 512 kbps ADSL connection. Whereas the upload works fine
according to ADSL Guide.co.uk, the download speed registers at around 4
Mbps (about half of what is advertised for my package - is that normal? )

Grateful for advice on whether it is work shortening the cable, or
should I leave it?
All the best
Johanna

 

[Rod Speed]

The cord from my ADSL socket to my PC is at least 5 metres longer than it needs to be.

It was installed like that in case I wanted to move the PC later on..

I am wondering if the extra metres reduce my upload/download speed?

Nope. Consider the length of cable between
the wall socket and the telephone exchange.

I had thought it would not, but I read something to the contrary,

Yeah, there are some that dont have a clue about the basics.

and now I am not sure - I am not experienced with networking hardware issues.

I don't want to start messing with the network cables unless there is a decent speed gain to be
made. I have never cut a network cable, so I might damage the cable.... On the other hand, if
there is a significant improvements, I'd read up and do it!

I have a 8Mbps / 512 kbps ADSL connection. Whereas the upload works fine according to ADSL
Guide.co.uk, the download speed registers at around 4 Mbps (about half of what is advertised for
my package - is that normal? )

Grateful for advice on whether it is work shortening the cable, or should I leave it?

Leave it.

 

[Clint]

If you want to do anything, just go buy a new shorter cable. It won't do
you any good (besides possibly reducing the cable clutter), but the standard
for the network cable supports something like 100m, so 5m should be no
problem.

In any case, don't cut it yourself. Just buy a new one. I'd suggest trying
to cut it and put on new jacks will cause much more grief than any extra
length.

Clint

 

[Johanna]

Thanks for responding and explaining!
I can't buy a new cable, because re-wiring would take ages.
The current cable is professionally installed and runs under the carpet.
(Sigh... I live in England. n my native Sweden it would not be this
impractically set up - and there would be a nice wooden floor instead of
wall-to wall-carpets! )

I'll leave things as they are - the cable clurtter is not a problem,
it's very neatly tucked away.
I just wanted to be sure that the extra legth was not causing a me to
have a slower internet speed.

Al the best
Jo

 

[Conor]

Hi!
The cord from my ADSL socket to my PC is at least 5 metres longer than
it needs to be.
It was installed like that in case I wanted to move the PC later on..

I am wondering if the extra metres reduce my upload/download speed?
I had thought it would not, but I read something to the contrary, and
now I am not sure - I am not experienced with networking hardware issues.

No. Mine is 30 metres long - made it myself. Download at maximum rate
for my 3MBit ADSL connection and I get 20ms pings in Battlefield 2.

If it's working, don't worry. Sods law says that a week after you've
resized it, you'll need the extra.

 

[visions of effty]

No. Mine is 30 metres long - made it myself. Download at maximum rate
for my 3MBit ADSL connection and I get 20ms pings in Battlefield 2.

If it's working, don't worry. Sods law says that a week after you've
resized it, you'll need the extra.

I hate making cables. I was in school when the internet as we know it
arrived. I was doing work study, which involved wiring the campus. The
powers that be decided it would be cheaper to build our own cables rather
than get them ready-made.

Cut, sort wires, crimp, pray, test, repeat. I still have nightmares.

I don't know how it is for ADSL, but cat-5 cables have certain lengths where
they often fail.

From what I understand, 30m is a sort-of maximum length for ADSL. Really,
that length shouldn't matter. It's just the distance from the central
office that matters.

~e.

 

[Larry Roberts]

Hi!
The cord from my ADSL socket to my PC is at least 5 metres longer than
it needs to be.
It was installed like that in case I wanted to move the PC later on..

I am wondering if the extra metres reduce my upload/download speed?
I had thought it would not, but I read something to the contrary, and
now I am not sure - I am not experienced with networking hardware issues.

I don't want to start messing with the network cables unless there is a
decent speed gain to be made. I have never cut a network cable, so I
might damage the cable.... On the other hand, if there is a significant
improvements, I'd read up and do it!

I have a 8Mbps / 512 kbps ADSL connection. Whereas the upload works fine
according to ADSL Guide.co.uk, the download speed registers at around 4
Mbps (about half of what is advertised for my package - is that normal? )

Grateful for advice on whether it is work shortening the cable, or
should I leave it?
All the best
Johanna

I have a 30m (about 100ft) cat5 cable from my second PC to the
switch hub sharing my ADSL 6Mbit/512kbps. I get the full 6Mbit
transfer speeds. 5m won't affect it.

 

[Michael Cecil]

I have a 30m (about 100ft) cat5 cable from my second PC to the
switch hub sharing my ADSL 6Mbit/512kbps. I get the full 6Mbit
transfer speeds. 5m won't affect it.

That's the way to do it: keep the wall-ADSL modem line short and then go
nuts on the length of the modem-computer Ethernet cable.

 

[JohnH]

That's the way to do it: keep the wall-ADSL modem line short

No need, the distance from the wall socket to the
phone exchange will always grossly exceed that.

 

[Michael Cecil]

No need, the distance from the wall socket to the
phone exchange will always grossly exceed that.

Yes, but those lines use twisted pairs just like network cables. Cheap
RJ11 cords often don't use twisted pairs. That's why when you call DSL
support they will be adamant that you use the (short) cord they supplied.

 

[JohnH]

Yes, but those lines use twisted pairs just like network cables.

Nope, nothing like network cables.

Cheap RJ11 cords often don't use twisted pairs.

Plenty do.

That's why when you call DSL support they will be
adamant that you use the (short) cord they supplied.

Wrong again.

 

[Johanna]

Thanks all for the advice! I'll definitely leave this cord as it is.
Jo