Need to extend Cat5 between two buildings?

I have a network here in one building and need to get a line out the one next to us to share data across the network. It does not have to be super fast, I just want it to work. I tried running the line by itself but it was just to far so I have been looking in ways to boost the signal at the halfway point. I was wondering if this can be done by adding a switch between the buildings. Or if I need to hunt down some kind of Ethernet booster?

And is it possible to even run more than one switch on a network?

Thanks

You would be correct in using a switch.

How long of a cable run is it between your buildings?

I would seriously suggest two of these and some fiber cable if the distance is going to be significant:
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16833156017

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Originally Posted by Soul Assassin

I would seriously suggest two of these and some fiber cable if the distance is going to be significant:
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16833156017

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i was gonna suggest something like that. but i really don't know too much about those.

So that thing just convert electrical ethernet to fiber optic signals and convert it back?

anyway how cost effect are the cables? with regular cat5e I think 500 feet is like under $40

how much would a 200 to 300 feet fiber cable/connector cost?

fiber cable is cheap on ebay, at least it used to be because of the massive glut in the market due to the telecom meltdown. Not as cheap as copper though, by any means. But if it's more than 330m (about 1000ft I think) it exceeds cat5 specs.

I would say 300 foot between buildings and maybe another 200 in each direction from where they need to be boosted. So a switch would take the signal in and back out as a second hub and actually work? Seems almost to easy! lol

I will check out the fiber option that's pretty awesome, I do know the outdoor cat5 is like 3 bucks a foot or so?

Thanks

You could always try a wireless solution from one building to the other.

Here is an article to give you some ideas.

http://www.homenethelp.com/web/expla...ble-length.asp

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Originally Posted by Mark

I would say 300 foot between buildings and maybe another 200 in each direction from where they need to be boosted. So a switch would take the signal in and back out as a second hub and actually work? Seems almost to easy! lol

I will check out the fiber option that's pretty awesome, I do know the outdoor cat5 is like 3 bucks a foot or so?

Thanks

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Fiber will be the "best" solution unless you want to put in the middle of the lawn the power it.

If it's an indoor setup, a switch will work just fine.

go fiber