I am running a Dell Pentium III, 600 MHz machine that I am about to network with 2 other similar machines at home. We are all running Windows 2000. I have 2 sets of Cat5 cable run to 4 different rooms in my home (ie: 2 RJ45 connections for each of the 4 rooms). The first set is connected to my ADSL modem and uses up 2 of the 4 pairs (one for data, one for voice). The second set only uses 1 pair (for all 4 rooms). I plan on installing a hub in my basement where the wiring all comes together and to use the second set of Cat5 wiring to network 3 PC's (1 in each of 3 rooms). Here's my question (and it is a very basic and ignorant one): How many of the pairs do I need from the Cat5 cable to connect to an RJ45 and hook it up to my hub? I plan on using a DS108 10/100 8port dual speed hub EJ45 with Uplink Button. Thanks!

I'm not sure I understand your question. A piece of Cat5 cable has two RJ-45 jacks on it (one at each end). With a hub, one piece of cable goes from the hub to the PC. Therefore, for 3 PC's, you would need 3 pieces of cable (each with one RJ-45 jack at each end). Include the DSL and that's another cable, totally 4.

Jose means that he wants to split CAT5 cable. If you are not planning 100 base -TX duplexing you need 4 wires only (2 pairs) and they have to be terminated 1-2-3-6 on the ends of RJ45 as stright cable. The 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX Ethernets consist of two transmission lines. Each transmission line is a pair of twisted wires. One pair receives data signals and the other pair transmits data signals. robert

ahhh........I was wondering. I am aware you can split a cable, I just can't conceive of ever wanting to actually do so and limit yourself and your network in such a way. Cat 5 cabling is cheap, why bother!?

Curt and Robert: Thanks for your feedback. Yes, I was talking about splitting it since I really have very basic needs. I realize this may limit me in the future but I plan on migrating to wireless at some point (once security is a bit more robust). Thanks again!

I am looking into splitting an already run cat5 cable due to not being able to get another cable dropped through walls. The main purpose is for internet sharing and maybe some gaming, but that is about it. Since my internet is only 1.5mbps the split cat5 shouldn't matter and should have plenty of bandwith left right?