network cat5 guys....

[rubberman]

I know what im about to question might be retarded but i was thinking about this cause i dont wanna run another line of cat5 nor buy another router to split the connection. These 2 devices will never be on at the same time so could i split/solder 2 cat5 cables into 1 cat5 cable? see pic below. What i do now is unplug it from device 2 and into device1. device1 is hardly ever used.

[pstedman]

I wouldn't go so far as to say your idea is retarded, but it's not feasible. I can't see the picture in your post, but I do know splicing 2 cables into one won't work. It would be like splicing 2 telephones onto one line and trying to make 2 different phone calls at once. I know you said the 2 devices are not used at the same time, but you never know - you might just need both at one time.

If you've got 2 network devices and only one available line a cheap switch is the best route. You can pick up a small 5-port switch for about $12 at NewEgg. Sharing a network connection is something switches are designed to do.

[Bjs]

Feasibility depends on the given situation, but instead of messing about with soldering and maybe stuffing it up, you should be able to get a suitable adapter for the job for under $3 ... providing neither device is on at the same time, everything will be fine.

However, those cables going from the adapter to the devices would have to be "patch" cables, not "crossover" types.

[Febre]

Bj's right, you should look for something like this: http://www.accesscomms.com.au/Products/P2315.htm , considering how fine a wire your dealing with, I can't imagine trying to solder without getting some problems or degrading the throughput of the line.

[loster]

soldering these connection is never done there are specialized connectors that one uses on phone wiring and would fit on the wire physically because sometimes cat 5 cat 5e Cat 6 is used for phones.
You insert the wires and press down with pliers. However do not use these in a network application. They will work with phone because of the high tolerences.

http://www.connectworld.net/cgi-bin/iec/SPLICE

[jagabo]

You can get a hub or switch for US$10 to US$15.

[gadgetguy]

If your original cable is CAT5 then you are only using 2 pair (of the 4 pair in the cable). There are adapters available that will allow you to use the other pair without running new cable, but it's probably just as cheap to buy a hub/switch as jagabo suggested.

[redwudz]

Another thing to consider. CAT 5(e) cable consists of 4 twisted pairs of wire. This works similar to a 75 ohm coax cable in that the impedance of each line is balanced. (It's about 100 ohms impedance @ 100Mhz) Splicing another connection off of it in the center probably wouldn't cause a problem, but I wouldn't chance it as you could introduce crosstalk between the lines and cause noise in the system which could result in signal degradation. CAT 5 can have runs up to 328 Feet (100M). It's a bit more than just a few wires in a jacket. But it's easy enough to add a hub if you want to share a connection off of it.