Long ethernet cable = slower connection?

[jmufellow]

I have a weird question. Does the length of my ethernet cable affect the speed of my internet connection? Because the ones that they gave us at school are ridiculously long to accomidate for moving around the dorm, etc. Just wondering, because I really don't need all that length anymore.

 

[gekko513]

Nope.

Unless it's longer than 100m / 300ft.

 

[jmufellow]

ok, I'm safe then. Like your avatar BTW

 

[macEfan]

also, note that if you are going from switch to switch, it max is 16.5 ft.

 

[CanadaRAM]

But a bad (oxidized or loose) jack connection, or an intermittant open in the cable can increase the error rate dramatically and slow it down.

 

[gekko513]

ok, I'm safe then. Like your avatar BTW

Thanks ... I have to give some credit to the Picture Association Game thread, that's were I found the original for the avatar.

 

[VanMac]

If your cable is in question, or the length is just plain messy to have that much cable lying around, pickup a shorter one at any electronics store. Not that expensive.....

 

[robbieduncan]

It will be a little slower, but not enough for you to notice! The longer the cable the longer it will take signals to travel up and down it.

Still you'd need a cable so long it wouldn't work for this to be humanly noticable.

 

[belvdr]

also, note that if you are going from switch to switch, it max is 16.5 ft.

Not true. It's Ethernet, and the rule is 100 meters max per cable.

Are you talking about something like the Catalyst GBICs, because those have much shorter maximum distances.

 

[840quadra]

Not true. It's Ethernet, and the rule is 100 meters max per cable.

Are you talking about something like the Catalyst GBICs, because those have much shorter maximum distances.

Right on, gotta love the physical layer

Here is a good page

::EDIT:: First attempt linked to Microsoft, Can't have that now!
http://www.webopedia.com/quick_ref/EthernetDesignations.asp

 

[belvdr]

Right on, gotta love the physical layer

Here is a good page

http://http//www.homenethelp.com/web/explain/maximum-cable-length.asp

Your link had an extra HTTP in it..

http://www.homenethelp.com/web/explain/maximum-cable-length.asp

 

[840quadra]

Yeah just changed the link, and fixed it

Thanks!

 

[DarkNetworks]

I have a weird question. Does the length of my ethernet cable affect the speed of my internet connection? Because the ones that they gave us at school are ridiculously long to accomidate for moving around the dorm, etc. Just wondering, because I really don't need all that length anymore.

I'm gonna say, no.I've two coms connected to the router.one with a longer wire and i've no problems whatsoever. the speed on both coms are pretty much the same...

 

[Le Big Mac]

It will be a little slower, but not enough for you to notice! The longer the cable the longer it will take signals to travel up and down it.

Still you'd need a cable so long it wouldn't work for this to be humanly noticable.

Einstein!

The biggest problem with a longer cable is that because it's longer there's more chance it will get crimped/cut/whatever, that could cause signal problems. And the length limit I presume goes to how much power ethernet uses, and that over 100m the current may not make it to the other end (think drips through a long hose).

 

[iMeowbot]

Still you'd need a cable so long it wouldn't work for this to be humanly noticable.

Oh, it's very noticeable, once you start going between cities. For fiber it's roughly a 1 millisecond delay per 200 km, a little more delay for copper. Of course, it someone's house or office is is that big, a more pressing concern may be the distance to the nearest toilet.