Ethernet over telephone wires

[TimWilborne]

Need to do some temporary wiring of our Ethernet network and there is an existing underground telephone junction between point A and point B. Wireless, overhead, or new underground is not an option. Does anyone have any experience or opinions on running Ethernet over telephone wires and connecting them back to switches on each end? It is about 100 feet in distance. Edited May 24, 2006 by TWControls

[PdL]

I have had an installation where we needed to run ethernet over 4 wires. As you might know you only need pairs 1/2 and 3/6. If you have a flat cable it might be a problem but I think it's worth a try. There are also extenders for such an application. Have a look here how to connect ethernet using 4 wires.

[TimWilborne]

It will be in a 50 pair cable that it will share with working phone lines. I forgot about going up the walls of the buildings so it is actually about 175 feet

[Camel]

Beware of induction if it is POTS instead of digital.

[TimWilborne]

And what is POTS? I'm pretty sure it is a mixture of Analog and Digital lines Edited May 24, 2006 by TWControls

[TimWilborne]

Ok found it POTS = Plain old telephone service I guess the direct dial analog lines that go to our modems would be considered POTS. What would running Ethernet in the same cable as these cause? Edited May 25, 2006 by TWControls

[Camel]

Telephone Trunks have lots of static electricity. I have been hit hard enough to want to pee myself......

[TimWilborne]

So are you thinking I need surge suppression on the devices it connects too or it's not going to work at all? The line is shielded if that means anything

[gravitar]

Methinks this might help: http://www.blackbox.com/Catalog/Detail.asp...2,1464&mid=3874 The description says " Link networks and data lines over any grade of twisted-pair cable". Of course if your cabling isn't twisted-pair, that might be a problem. If you call Black Box technical support and tell them what you're trying to do, they'll probably have some ideas for you.

[TimWilborne]

Thanks for the info. I have looked closer at the cable and it is not twisted pairs. I'm not comfortable with this. Guess it's back to the drawing board

[panic mode]

Hi TW, I remember seeing "home network kits" few years ago (ciruit city, best buy, radio shack...) that would work over existing phone lines in the household. One kit would contain 2 or 3 cards and drivers, phone cables and speeds ware 10-12Mbps. It's not a screamer but it should do. Google says: http://www.homenethelp.com/network/phoneline.asp http://www.superwarehouse.com/Phoneline_Ne...k_Cards/c3/2141 http://www.homepna.com/

[TimWilborne]

Thanks Panic Mode, I hadn't thought of doing something like that. It would also give me some isolation. I wonder how it would work over digital or abandon lines. I will call tomorrow and ask Thanks again TW Edited May 26, 2006 by TWControls

[gravitar]

Hmm.. $8.99 sure beats the $1K suggestion I had!

[TimWilborne]

Have to see if it works first

[panic mode]

you can try powerline but it's $125-150 per computer http://www.homenethelp.com/network/powerline.asp btw. why wireless is not an option? it's only 100feet...

[TimWilborne]

I didn't have a chance to call about the Ethernet over phone line converter today The Ethernet over power won't work because the two buildings are on different distribution transformers The problem with wireless is line of sight. They are building a building between point A and B. I have setup a store bought wireless till I can solve this problem. Worked great, then the moved a big dumpster in the way. It still worked, but not that good. Then they filled it will concrete from demolition. End of wireless till they move the dumpster. I really appreciate the ideas, trust me I am not trying to shoot them down. But on the wireless Panic Mode I am going to start a new thread on industrial wireless and see if I can get something rugged enough do hold us through. I'm thinking that is our only choice

[Camel]

Sorry it took me so long to reply. I was thinking some sort of isolation. I have used the black box devices mentioned above and they work just fine.

[Dr. Kindorf]

Hello, I just noticed your post regarding the long range ethernet installation you need. The best product I've used for this is manufactured by RAD Data. They make an VDSL modem that is specifically designed for what you are doing. Go here: http://www.rad.com/Article/0,6583,30487-4_...L_Modem,00.html I've run a full 10MB with these over 3.5 miles of some of the worst POTS wire you've ever seen, with rock solid transmission. These units are also Opto-isolated on both RX and TX, so noise immunity is very high. If the phone lines have station protectors at each end (or at least one end) high voltage transients or line overvoltages shouldn't be a problem. Since they use FSK transmission format, they are pretty well immune to analog induction or digital crosstalk. Regards, Dr. Kindorf