Is a 50' Ethernet Cable too long?

[Dan]

I had a quick question about networking with windows xp.
I have it all set up with 6 computers that are spread
across an office. Most of the computers are connected to
a switch by a 50' Ethernet cable. It seems to be running
a little slow at times and sometimes looses its
connection. I was wondering if the Ethernet cable
shouldn't be that long. We are using ms access and it
every once in a while I get a weird error, I can't
remember what it is, but it has to do that a connection
was lost while the record was being updated. What would
be a better way to connect the computer if that cable is
too long? Is there some kind of connecters that I could
use to connect smaller cables or is it just something
completely different?

 

[Guest]

Cat5 can go 290 feet so yer all set there.

I would look at the switch / router. Are the client pc's on dhcp?

 

[Fred Marshall]

If the cables are commercially produced then there should be no problem at
even greater lengths. If the cables were built up by someone on site then
I'd question the wiring order that's on the connectors.

Specifically, if the twisted pairs are not used properly then cables of
perhaps up to 20' in length can work. At 50' the same wiring scheme won't
work at all in some installations.

Check out:
http://duxcw.com/digest/Howto/network/cable/cable5.htm

Fred

 

[Peter R. Fletcher]

As others have suggested, a 50' cable between system and switch should
be fine, so long as:
good-quality Cat 5E cable is being used
the cable is undamaged and protected from damage and impact (not
sharply angled and/or under tension round corners, not running under
carpets or on the floor where it can be stepped on).
the cable is correctly and securely terminated at both ends.

If the problems are confined to one networked system, suspect the
cable from or NIC in that system. If they are more widespread, suspect
your switch (though if you have database files accessed by all systems
located on one of them, problems local to that system may appear to be
more general).

If you conclude that your switch is causing the problems, consider the
possibility of power glitches - some (particularly) inexpensive
switches are quite sensitive to dirty power. If your switch and
database server(s) are ont on UPSes, they should be!

I had a quick question about networking with windows xp.
I have it all set up with 6 computers that are spread
across an office. Most of the computers are connected to
a switch by a 50' Ethernet cable. It seems to be running
a little slow at times and sometimes looses its
connection. I was wondering if the Ethernet cable
shouldn't be that long. We are using ms access and it
every once in a while I get a weird error, I can't
remember what it is, but it has to do that a connection
was lost while the record was being updated. What would
be a better way to connect the computer if that cable is
too long? Is there some kind of connecters that I could
use to connect smaller cables or is it just something
completely different?

Please respond to the Newsgroup, so that others may benefit from the exchange.
Peter R. Fletcher