[ItaliStang]

Here's the deal... my modem and router are upstairs, and my xbox is downstairs

no, I can't move the router downstairs
no, I can't move the xbox upstairs
I can't run cat5 up through the wall, only wall I have is an exterior, besides there's a floor blocking the spaces between the wall studs...

I've been using Internet Connection Sharing through my laptop's wireless, but of course that is full of fail as it is being wireless, let alone using ICS...


The only possible way I can see getting a cable straight to the router is by going on the outside of the house...
There are two holes on the same corner of the house where the cable is running into the house... one hole for upstairs, one for downstairs... so we're looking at about 6-7' space between them (with a bend because of an overhang of the top floor)

so my question is... how would I run cat5 outdoors like this safely (since I'm sure cat5 is conductive, don't want to fry my xbox, lol)
And not only safely, but has to be hidden well, because this corner of the house is right out in front by the street, so it can't look ugly (even though our siding is, lol) so no garden hoses, haha


Or are there any other ways anyone can think of?

[Blitz34]

wireless adapter from bestbuy can't help?

if internet is kinda slow, get a wireless N router and then the adapter.

[ItaliStang]

those xbox wireless adapters are $100... no way that's happening...lol

it's not that the internet is slow, it's that I have trouble connecting to people, and it causes problems trying to find matches in games... my friends keep saying they never have any problems until I join in...
plus I can't connect at all to one of my friends that I'd play with the most, only time we can play anything together is if a 3rd person hosts a party/room/lobby...

[Lefty]

You can run a cable outside. Just be sure it's cat 5e (e - enhance); helps eliminate cross talk. I would wrap the cable in some sort of protective "shell"; though you don't necessarily have too. I recommend making your own; it's cheaper and it's easy. I believe though you can buy "outdoors" Ethernet cables. Don't hold me too it though as I always make my own and never buy them.


And yes, I'm a networking guy.

[ItaliStang]

awesome! reps ... I like hearing that cause I have a 100+ foot cat5e cable, haha
by shell you mean like a larger plastic wire insulation to run it through? Because we have all kinds of stripped wires at work... so that'd be even better news... lol

[06RedfireGT]

You could go to Home Depot and get some plastic wire conduit and paint it the color of the house.

[TheUNZippee!]

Legrand Wiremold - Plastic CordMate II Kit White - C210 - Home Depot Canada

[sikedsyko]

Yeah go to home depot, they sell outdoor cat5 by the foot. You buy as much as you need and buy the connectors for the ends. Then you drill a hole through the wall in both spots, run it through, and get some wall plates with cat5 jacks. I did it in my parents house. There's spots where there's upwards of 75 feet of it outside and they get great connections. Then just put some caulk on the outside of your house where the wire goes in.

oh, and I didn't use any kind of wire shielding.

[DiZzyBonne]

Make sure you buy Cat 5e as Lefty said.

[dr.gonzo!]

Have you looked into running the cable through an air duct? I dont know if it will work with cat5, but I know they sell rated cat5. Thats how I ran my phone and tv cable. Then use a coat hanger and tape to feed the wire.

[MrMadMunky]

x2 i have my xbox set up that way. String roll of tape and coat hanger equals Call of Duty MW2 online!!!