Setting up a network.

[Muddy]

Goal:

To establish a network wherein one main computer is connected to one or more external hard drives thereby allowing other computers in the network access to those hard drives for back up, retrieval, storage, etc.

Current set up:

I have an unattached studio that has internet access via a cable in buried conduit to the house. In the house my DSL modem is connected to a switch. The switch then branches to a wireless router and to a jack in the wall which serves the studio. In the studio, I have this switch (http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=76) allowing multiple printers/other computers etc.

The machine I want to use for the main one (in the studio) is running Windows Server 2003.

Questions:

Are there any disadvantages to Windows Server 2003? Is there any reason this machine can't be used like any other? I have others that are running XP, but this one is the best of the lot in terms of speed, memory, etc. It was used strictly as a term server in a previous life. Can I essentially go by these directions (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/setup/default.mspx) to set up the network?

Much tender love and drooling affection,
Muddy

[Ferre]

I can be wrong but I think that windows home server is the solution for your problem;

Windows Home Server for Home Office and Small Office (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/windowshomeserver/soho/default.mspx)

You could connect the external hard drives to the home server and all the other computers will detect it via the internal lan.

At my home I use this to connect all the computers in the house with the router (beats the wireless by far);

dLAN® 200 AVeasy ... Product description ... devolo AG (http://www.devolo.co.uk/consumer/7_dlan-200-aveasy_starter-kit_product-presentation_1.html?l=en)

This is dope for geeks, it makes your electricity net in the house and all your electricity plugs an internet connection. All you need to do is to plug one of those ethernet plugs into an electricity socket near your router with a (normal internet) cable connecting them and then you can plug another one of those plugs into any electricity socket in the house with a cable to your computer where your internet cable always goes and you have all your cables neatly together with the rest of the electricity cables.

I love that system, I am using it since many years (at least six) and just upgraded from 85 Mbps plugs to 200 Mbps plugs as sort of a holiday present.

[Zap]

I'm a bit confused by your description.

But, there's no reason why you can't use Windows 2003 Server as a workstation, while sharing files (even files on an external hard drive attached to that machine) at the same time.

[Muddy]

I'm a bit confused by your description.

But, there's no reason why you can't use Windows 2003 Server as a workstation, while sharing files (even files on an external hard drive attached to that machine) at the same time.

LOL! Never fails! Try to explain things extra carefully and end up making it more confusing! Sorry!

Nonetheless, you've succeeded in deciphering what my main question was and answering it! Thanks!

Can I go by those instructions I linked to? I've never set up a network before...

[Muddy]

I can be wrong but I think that windows home server is the solution for your problem;

Windows Home Server for Home Office and Small Office (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/windowshomeserver/soho/default.mspx)

You could connect the external hard drives to the home server and all the other computers will detect it via the internal lan.

At my home I use this to connect all the computers in the house with the router (beats the wireless by far);

dLAN® 200 AVeasy ... Product description ... devolo AG (http://www.devolo.co.uk/consumer/7_dlan-200-aveasy_starter-kit_product-presentation_1.html?l=en)

This is dope for geeks, it makes your electricity net in the house and all your electricity plugs an internet connection. All you need to do is to plug one of those ethernet plugs into an electricity socket near your router with a (normal internet) cable connecting them and then you can plug another one of those plugs into any electricity socket in the house with a cable to your computer where your internet cable always goes and you have all your cables neatly together with the rest of the electricity cables.

I love that system, I am using it since many years (at least six) and just upgraded from 85 Mbps plugs to 200 Mbps plugs as sort of a holiday present.

Thanks Ferre! I'm not sure I actually need to buy anything...I think a network can be set up without additional software. Is that right?

The electric plug things are cool! I don't think they'd work for me though because my studio is separate from the house and has its own panel (breaker) box.

[Zap]

LOL! Never fails! Try to explain things extra carefully and end up making it more confusing! Sorry!

Nonetheless, you've succeeded in deciphering what my main question was and answering it! Thanks!

Can I go by those instructions I linked to? I've never set up a network before...
You probably can, however, it may not be necessary.
I prefer to use my server to manage IP addresses with DHCP, but your router can also do that for you.
I would suggest setting up the router to hand out IP addresses starting at 100. You can manually set the server and any printers below that.
In other words, your network config would be something like this...

Server: 192.168.0.10
Printer1: 192.168.0.20
Printer2: 192.168.0.30
Router: 192.168.0.1

Then set the router up so that it begins handing out IP addresses, starting with 192.168.0.100 and ending with 192.168.0.255.

Make sure all workstations and servers have the same workgroup name set.

If you want to setup the server to hand out IP addresses instead of the router, that's something we can do remotely. I also suggest setting up WINS so that it is easier for your computers to find each other. That's done on the server as well.


Thanks Ferre! I'm not sure I actually need to buy anything...I think a network can be set up without additional software. Is that right?

The electric plug things are cool! I don't think they'd work for me though because my studio is separate from the house and has its own panel (breaker) box.
You mentioned that you have a conduit running between the studio and the house. If it has CAT5 or CAT5E ethernet cable in it, you can join the two buildings networks without resorting to wireless. Just need a switch at both ends.

[Muddy]

You probably can, however, it may not be necessary.
I prefer to use my server to manage IP addresses with DHCP, but your router can also do that for you.
I would suggest setting up the router to hand out IP addresses starting at 100. You can manually set the server and any printers below that.
In other words, your network config would be something like this...

Server: 192.168.0.10
Printer1: 192.168.0.20
Printer2: 192.168.0.30
Router: 192.168.0.1

Then set the router up so that it begins handing out IP addresses, starting with 192.168.0.100 and ending with 192.168.0.255.

Make sure all workstations and servers have the same workgroup name set.

If you want to setup the server to hand out IP addresses instead of the router, that's something we can do remotely. I also suggest setting up WINS so that it is easier for your computers to find each other. That's done on the server as well.


You mentioned that you have a conduit running between the studio and the house. If it has CAT5 or CAT5E ethernet cable in it, you can join the two buildings networks without resorting to wireless. Just need a switch at both ends.

When you say server, do you mean the machine with Windows Server 2003 on it?

That seems like it would be the better way to go since my router is just a little cheapo wireless number. Either way I have no idea how to set up either one to "hand out IP addresses". LOL!

What is WINS? I guess I could Google it!

Yes, I have conduit with ethernet cable under ground from the house to the studio. I don't know if it's CAT5 or CAT5E. What's the difference? How can I tell? As long as I have wireless in the house that's the main thing for our laptops. Doesn't have to be wireless in the studio. In fact I think I'd need another wireless router out there for that anyway...don't think the house wireless will reach that far.

I do have a switch at both ends, but wouldn't both buildings just be on one network? In other words, the cable to the studio is just like any other cable leading out of the switch to another computer. I have another switch on that end (in the studio) so I can have another printer out there or even other computers. Right now the Windows Server 2003 machine is working fine out there.

[Zap]

When you say server, do you mean the machine with Windows Server 2003 on it?
Yes.


That seems like it would be the better way to go since my router is just a little cheapo wireless number. Either way I have no idea how to set up either one to "hand out IP addresses". LOL!

What is WINS? I guess I could Google it!
WINS is a service you run on the server which maps computer names on your internal network to IP addresses. It makes sharing easier and marginally faster. You won't notice a difference, but your server will thank you. LOL!


Yes, I have conduit with ethernet cable under ground from the house to the studio. I don't know if it's CAT5 or CAT5E. What's the difference? How can I tell? As long as I have wireless in the house that's the main thing for our laptops. Doesn't have to be wireless in the studio. In fact I think I'd need another wireless router out there for that anyway...don't think the house wireless will reach that far.

I do have a switch at both ends, but wouldn't both buildings just be on one network? In other words, the cable to the studio is just like any other cable leading out of the switch to another computer. I have another switch on that end (in the studio) so I can have another printer out there or even other computers. Right now the Windows Server 2003 machine is working fine out there.
It sounds like they're already on one network then, so disregard what I said about the conduit. I thought you joined the two buildings wirelessly, but it sounds like they are wired together and, therefore, on the same network.

Your router will work fine for managing IP addresses, but if you want to do cool things like enable VPN access for yourself into your home network from the outside, then you'll want to setup the Server to assign and manage IP addressing for your network. If you do that, then (with a little bit of planning) you can setup remote access to any machine on your network via a VPN connection.

[Muddy]

That's how my IT guy had it set up for my business. One machine was dedicated to data and another one was a term server. I could (and did) access the software from anywhere. I would be in Germany and could pull up end of day reports right out of the software. I could also print to one of the printers in the office. He had it set up on my laptop as "travel printer". lol!

The XP instructions in that link seem pretty straight forward and automatic...as long as they'll work with WS 2003. Now that I know WS 2003 can be used just like any other work station, I can Google info on setting up the network using that instead of XP.

[Muddy]

We had about 10 other machines that all tapped into that first data machine.

[Muddy]

Well I went out there today and the damn thing was beeping. So much for that one. I hooked up another but can't get online with that one. Laptops in the house are working and in fact the studio computer says it's connected but nothing when I try a browser. I even bypassed the switch and went directly into the computer.

[Zap]

Well I went out there today and the damn thing was beeping. So much for that one. I hooked up another but can't get online with that one. Laptops in the house are working and in fact the studio computer says it's connected but nothing when I try a browser. I even bypassed the switch and went directly into the computer.

Do you know why it's beeping? This is the server? It could be something simple.

[Muddy]

As it turns out, after further research, what I'm really trying to set up is file/drive sharing. It would appear that I already have a network since I have four computers all connected to the internet. Three wireless laptops and one desktop through an ethernet cable.

So actually what I want to do is be able to access the hard drive(s) of the desktop from at least one laptop. Or at least a folder on each of those drives, as long as sub folders can be created in it.

The desktop is running Win2k3, 2 laptops are running XP and 1 laptop is running Vista.

Is this as simple as right clicking My Networks, choosing Properties and clicking on "Set up a home or small office network"?

[Atom]

If you're wondering where I've been for the last few days.. I've been making my way through this thread. lol

[Zap]

If you're wondering where I've been for the last few days.. I've been making my way through this thread. lol

Good to see you around, Dude.
Thought maybe you won the lottery or something. LOL!

[Atom]

*error

My speed is compromised at the moment and has caused a double post. I'm pretty sure it's my shit ISP throttling the connection down.

[Atom]

The state lotteries here are proof that even morons win occasionally. lol

[Atom]

Good to see you around, Dude.
Thought maybe you won the lottery or something. LOL!Thanks, I've been silently waiting for spring, huddled over in the corner in a severe state of cabin fever.

Off topic I think there's a shred of tobacco under the c on my keyboard. I suppose I should turn her upside down and give her a shake.

[Muddy]

Thanks, I've been silently waiting for spring, huddled over in the corner in a severe state of cabin fever.

Off topic I think there's a shred of tobacco under the c on my keyboard. I suppose I should turn her upside down and give her a shake.

Sorry to hear those things. Glad you're back however!

[Atom]

Sorry to hear those things. Glad you're back however!Sorry to hear those things? Well I'd better not mention that I didn't get my left shoelace tied just the way I would have liked this morning, I think I'll re-do her at this time, out of pure and simple spite.
lol

[Atom]

Yes I'm sure the hyphen wasn't necessary but redo just looks so weird when you're stoned.
lol

[Muddy]

Sorry to hear those things? Well I'd better not mention that I didn't get my left shoelace tied just the way I would have liked this morning, I think I'll re-do her at this time, out of pure and simple spite.
lol

Yes, do it right now while you're thinking about it. Otherwise you'll forget and it will continue to haunt you long after you've already doffed the shoes.

[Atom]

Yes, do it right now while you're thinking about it. Otherwise you'll forget and it will continue to haunt you long after you've already doffed the shoes.That's for true, and it will be automatically added to my total stress quotient. Can you imagine the variety of constituents that must comprise the stress factor? Why, it'd make a man crazier'd'na hoot owl just thinkin' about it.

[Muddy]

Drive a man to start carving wooden dicks.

[Atom]

Muddy, you have been watching too many youtube vids I think. LOL

[Muddy]

On a related note, like I said I have internet cable running out to the studio in underground conduit. Right now I have a wireless phone out there with intercom but I'd like to run a phone line out there. Is there any reason that phone line should not be next to internet cable in the same conduit?

[Zap]

On a related note, like I said I have internet cable running out to the studio in underground conduit. Right now I have a wireless phone out there with intercom but I'd like to run a phone line out there. Is there any reason that phone line should not be next to internet cable in the same conduit?

No reason. They do that all the time in office buildings.

[Atom]

On a related note, like I said I have internet cable running out to the studio in underground conduit. Right now I have a wireless phone out there with intercom but I'd like to run a phone line out there. Is there any reason that phone line should not be next to internet cable in the same conduit?No. I have my internet and phone cables wrapped around a 240v power line.

[Muddy]

Cool, thanks guys. Now I have to try fishing it through. It's about 100' of conduit with two 90 degree bends and one 45 degree bend.

[Atom]

Cool, thanks guys. Now I have to try fishing it through. It's about 100' of conduit with two 90 degree bends and one 45 degree bend.Might wanna coat the wires in axle grease then.

[Atom]

j/k lol

plactic or metal, and what's the distance? Do you have a wire fish? I've got a 50 footer, it comes in handy.

[Muddy]

Might wanna coat the wires in axle grease then.

Seriously? How about WD-40?

The internet cable is already there, so I'll be dragging the phone line through along side it.

[Atom]

Seriously? How about WD-40?

The internet cable is already there, so I'll be dragging the phone line through along side it.No, not WD, use old cooking grease.

[Atom]

j/k again lol.

[Atom]

BTW, conduit doesn't have 90 degree bends, or shouldn't have, anyway. I know what you mean though. You may need a wire fish. Home Depot and stores like that have them.

[Muddy]

lol!

Yes, I do have a wire fish. Not sure how long it is. The fish that is, I'm guessing the conduit is about 100'. It's plastic.

[Muddy]

BTW, conduit doesn't have 90 degree bends, or shouldn't have, anyway.

I think they are...but they're rounded. In both cases it's where the conduit comes out of the ground.

[Muddy]

Gonna go out and measure the distance.

Oh and on the studio end the conduit comes up the wall and then through the wall...I think there's a removable plate there though to get access to the wires for making that turn into the wall.

[Atom]

lol!

Yes, I do have a wire fish. Not sure how long it is. The fish that is, I'm guessing the conduit is about 100'. It's plastic.Well you'll need a 100' fish then.

[Atom]

I think they are...but they're rounded. In both cases it's where the conduit comes out of the ground.Conduit uses a radius to turn 90 degrees, specifically for wire fishing purposes.

[Zap]

You could duct tape a new ethernet cable and the telephone cable to the existing cable and use the existing cable to pull them through the conduit.
You'll have to put new ends on the new cables, but it's probably the easiest way.


Fuck the fish. LOL!

[Atom]

You could duct tape a new ethernet cable and the telephone cable to the existing cable and use the existing cable to pull them through the conduit.
You'll have to put new ends on the new cables, but it's probably the easiest way.Yes, that is usually the best way if you don't care about the existing cable or specifically want it out of there.

[Zap]

I use that method for adding cables in my house, but I don't have to scrap the existing wire because we're only talking about a foot or two here and there.
For 100 foot run, the existing cable can not be put back through unless using the same method.

In fact, Muddy, if you have enough room in the conduit, it might be a good idea to run 2 new ethernet cables (CAT 5E or CAT 6 only) and the telephone cable through now.
You'll have a spare in case something goes wrong and you're running the cable anyway.

BTW, not exactly common usage, but ethernet cable can be used in place of standard telephone wire. You just won't be using all 4 pairs.

[Atom]

If it was me and it was a good cable, I'd want it left there.

[Muddy]

You could duct tape a new ethernet cable and the telephone cable to the existing cable and use the existing cable to pull them through the conduit.
You'll have to put new ends on the new cables, but it's probably the easiest way.


Fuck the fish. LOL!

Great idea! That's what I'll so since after measuring, the conduit is about 145' and my fishtape is only 65'.

[Zap]

If it was me and it was a good cable, I'd want it left there.

I would weigh the thought of fishing new cable through the hard way against making use of this cable in other ways.
Even if you use this method and have to remove the original cable to fish the others through, you can always reuse the original cable in smaller lengths for other things.

[Atom]

It's just who I am. LOL

[Zap]

Great idea! That's what I'll so since after measuring, the conduit is about 145' and my fishtape is only 65'.

Are you comfortable with putting new ends on the ethernet cable?
If not, there are some good tutorials on the net. That's how I learned.
You will need a special crimper tool, though. They're available here for around $20.

[Zap]

And remember, you only get one shot at it, so make sure the duct tape is on very well and that it is taped down and angled to resist snags in the conduit.
If the new cables come unattached, there's no way to fish the existing cable back through to the end.

[Muddy]

It's Cat 6 cable right now. The only problem with using the existing cable for a "pull-through" that I just thought of, is that it goes into the house, up the inside of the wall, into the attic, across above the ceiling and down another wall before coming back out the wall in a jack.

On the studio end the conduit goes up the outside of the wall into a junction box and then straight through the wall with the jack directly on the other side of the wall, so no problem on that end.

[Atom]

I would weigh the thought of fishing new cable through the hard way against making use of this cable in other ways.
Even if you use this method and have to remove the original cable to fish the others through, you can always reuse the original cable in smaller lengths for other things.Well the point is to have a spare cable at the ready, but it's no biggie because the chances of an over-current condition, which is what it would take to damage a cable under ordinary circumstances, is slim.

[Atom]

Lightning is the main culprit, but close strikes are relatively rare.

[Zap]

It's Cat 6 cable right now. The only problem with using the existing cable for a "pull-through" that I just thought of, is that it goes into the house, up the inside of the wall, into the attic, across above the ceiling and down another wall before coming back out the wall in a jack.

On the studio end the conduit goes up the outside of the wall into a junction box and then straight through the wall with the jack directly on the other side of the wall, so no problem on that end.

Hopefully there's very little resistance in that convoluted path.
Otherwise, we're going to have to go with Atom's grease idea. LOL!

[Atom]

LOL.

The primary question is usually whether the wire has been stapled at some point, but that usually isn't the case when conduit is used and it should pull right out of there.

[Muddy]

I would weigh the thought of fishing new cable through the hard way against making use of this cable in other ways.
Even if you use this method and have to remove the original cable to fish the others through, you can always reuse the original cable in smaller lengths for other things.

I have at least 4 dozen cables with ends ranging from 2' to 60'. I have one of these (http://www.4xem.com/products/outdoorcameras/4X-PZ7112/), inside one of these (http://www.4xem.com/products/cameraacc/IPCAMENCLODHF/) that I had set up as a live webcam outside my office.

[Doc]

Don't use any kind of petroleum product to lubricate those wires/cables, as some insulations will break down with petroleum. There are water-based, non-conductive lubricants specifically made for wire-pulling, and they're not expensive. A little messy, but worth it, for that kind of a pull. Home depot will have it, as will any electrical contractor supply house. I think 1/2 LB can is the smallest I've ever seen, which is more than enough for your pull.

[Muddy]

LOL.

The primary question is usually whether the wire has been stapled at some point, but that usually isn't the case when conduit is used and it should pull right out of there.

At the point where the cable enters the house, the conduit ceases. Inside the house it's just loose, but I'm pretty sure he didn't staple it. When he first buried the conduit he misunderstood me and ran phone wire out there. When I said I wanted internet, he (rather quickly too) replaced the phone with internet. I'm sure he must have used the phone to pull the other. I actually meant for him to leave the phone since he had it, but so be it.

[Atom]

Quick tip: It's not a good idea to attempt to fish wires with ends.

[Atom]

At the point where the cable enters the house, the conduit ceases. Inside the house it's just loose, but I'm pretty sure he didn't staple it. When he first buried the conduit he misunderstood me and ran phone wire out there. When I said I wanted internet, he (rather quickly too) replaced the phone with internet. I'm sure he must have used the phone to pull the other. I actually meant for him to leave the phone since he had it, but so be it.Well if there's no conduit in the house then the wires may well be stapled.

[Zap]

Quick tip: It's not a good idea to attempt to fish wires with ends.

...and wipe all that grease off your hands first!

[Atom]

...and wipe all that grease off your hands first!Jeezus I can't tell you how many wires I've fished, my brother and I used to install antenna systems.

[Muddy]

Quick tip: It's not a good idea to attempt to fish wires with ends.

Oh yeah. I was just mentioning all those wires to illustrate that I don't really need the long one for anything...I wish I could just leave it there, but I guess this is the only way...

[Muddy]

Jeezus I can't tell you how many wires I've fished, my brother and I used to install antenna systems.

Can you swing by here on your way over to fix Cry's washer?

[Muddy]

I have at least 4 dozen cables with ends ranging from 2' to 60'. I have one of these (http://www.4xem.com/products/outdoorcameras/4X-PZ7112/), inside one of these (http://www.4xem.com/products/cameraacc/IPCAMENCLODHF/) that I had set up as a live webcam outside my office.

In fact, I have to figure out a use for this damn thing.

[Atom]

Oh yeah. I was just mentioning all those wires to illustrate that I don't really need the long one for anything...I wish I could just leave it there, but I guess this is the only way...You are going to have to leave it there if it's stapled.

[Muddy]

You are going to have to leave it there if it's stapled.

Lemme go grab a ladder and get in that attic and I'll let you know in a bit...

[Muddy]

Wait...I just thought, what if I pulled from the house side? The studio end is for sure not stapled.

[Atom]

You could get lucky and it may only be stapled in the attic and not in the wall, in which case you could go up there and free it, but I doubt it, if it's even stapled at all to begin with.

[Muddy]

I know it isn't stapled in the wall because this was done long after the house was built.

[Muddy]

I highly doubt it's stapled...more likely just laying on top of the ceiling joists. Especially considering the time it took him. But of course he's young and nimble...crawling in the attic...ugg.

[Atom]

Usually if it's stapled at all it's stapled in both the wall and the attic.

[Zap]

That's the key. If it's not stapled behind the walls, then maybe it's just a matter of pulling out a few staples in the attic.

[Atom]

I know it isn't stapled in the wall because this was done long after the house was built.Ok that's good, now just grab a flashlight and have a look up there. Quick tip: Do Not Fall Through The Ceiling.
lol

[Zap]

I highly doubt it's stapled...more likely just laying on top of the ceiling joists. Especially considering the time it took him. But of course he's young and nimble...crawling in the attic...ugg.

I've been thinking of cutting a hole in my bedroom ceiling and installing one of those pull down staircases just for that reason.
My only access to the attic right now is a 2½ foot square hole in the ceiling in one of the closets (which is full with stuff) in the boy's bedroom. Grrrr!

[Zap]

Ok that's good, now just grab a flashlight and have a look up there. Quick tip: Do Not Fall Through The Ceiling.
lol

...and place a mattress on the floor in the room below where you'll be walking, just in case.

[Atom]

...and place a mattress on the floor in the room below where you'll be walking, just in case.I put near my whole leg through a ceiling once, lol.

[Zap]

I put near my whole leg through a ceiling once, lol.

Now I know why you never had kids. LOL!

[Muddy]

My only access to the attic right now is a 2½ foot square hole in the ceiling in one of the closets (which is full with stuff) in the boy's bedroom. Grrrr!

That's what I have too but at least it's in the master bathroom.

[Zap]

That's what I have too but at least it's in the master bathroom.

Like most other things in my house, it's a pain in the ass.
Did I mention that the closet also has shelves that I have to navigate over and around to get to the little hole? Grrrrrrrr!!!!!


We spend an awful lot of time, trying to get to the little hole, don't we?

[Atom]

Now I know why you never had kids. LOL!With as many attics as I've been in, only once isn't bad, and it could have been more than just my leg. lol

[Doc]

In an earlier life, I used to build large data centers. One of my guys was running CAT5 cable in the overhead, walking on the sprinkler pipes. A hanger that was poorly spotwelded to the roof joists came loose, then another, another and some more, and he, forty feet of pip, and the entire ceiling grid came down. We only had the raised floor tiles about 10% installed, and the lucky bastard landed in that spot! If he'd landed on the bare grid, he might have been killed.

I had OSHA climbing up my ass for WEEKS over that!:sqembarrassed:

[Atom]

I just put 33 ohms in series with a brushless DC computer fan motor to slow it down a bit, I'm using it for something other than a computer. What wattage resistor do you think I should use?

[Muddy]

9.6

[Atom]

9.6No.

They are 12v motors, BTW, just in case you didn't know.

[Atom]

Not that a 9.6w resistor wouldn't work, Muddy, but that is not even close to the size I should use.

[Muddy]

Well hell Atom, you KNOW I don't know shit about this stuff! LOL! I was exaggerating my ignorance as a joke attempt. You know, pretending like I absolutely knew but in fact offering a ludicrous suggestion. I'll do anything for a giggle ya know. lol!

[Atom]

Well hell Atom, you KNOW I don't know shit about this stuff! LOL! I was exaggerating my ignorance as a joke attempt. You know, pretending like I absolutely knew but in fact offering a ludicrous suggestion. I'll do anything for a giggle ya know. lol!lol!

Riddles of the Sphinx is airing again tonight on PBS at midnight CST. I think I'll watch that sucker again, it's really quite interesting.

[Muddy]

Our farrier told us that they'd discovered a new entrance into the Sphinx. Is that true?

[Atom]

Yeah, and they've figured out which Pharaoh the face belongs to. They actually reveal several different interesting facts about it.

[Atom]

Did you find any antiques while you were up in the attic?

[Muddy]

I never made it up there. It started pouring rain here with thunder and lighting and I didn't want to go out and get a ladder! LOL!

[Atom]

LOL! Well I can't say as I blame you. lol!

[Atom]

I was watching Antiques Roadshow the other day and some woman had 4 or five articles of jade worth $975,000. She had no idea what she had, they were handed down to her by her father now deceased.

[Atom]

So if you find any imperial jade up there, lemme know, lol.

[Atom]

Our farrier told us that they'd discovered a new entrance into the Sphinx. Is that true?Actually I think you or they may be thinking of a different documentary, Valley of the Kings I think it's called, this one doesn't mention any entrance.

[Atom]

There's a tablet between the paws at the chest that has writing that depicts the sphinx as the entrance to eternal life, but there is no physical entrance into the sphinx that I saw or am aware of.

[Atom]

I did notice a hole to the right of the tablet but I assume it doesn't go anywhere but maybe around the back of the huge stone tablet.

[Strong]

Our farrier told us that they'd discovered a new entrance into the Sphinx. Is that true?

Is that the back entrance? :sqwink:

[Doc]

There has to be an entrance somewhere. If it turns out to be through its ass, at least we'll know the ancient Egyptians had a sense of humor. :sqlaugh:

[Atom]

The Pharaoh had a sense of humor you mean, I think the ancient Egyptians were too busy chiseling rock to have a sense of humor.

[Atom]

All that those poor bastards had was copper chisels, and they'd go through one in just a few minutes the researchers figure, until it had to be reheated and the tip reshaped.

[Atom]

They figure a worker only removed a cubic foot of stone in 40 hours.

[Atom]

Their hammers were a rock lashed to one end of two sticks.

[Atom]

I'm not positive that the figure they gave was a cubic foot, I'll need to watch it again, but I was just reading in an article that they could work only 20 to 30 square centimeters of limestone per hour, 25 centimeters is only 9+ inches.

[Muddy]

Hell, all I had was a chunk of copper, a rock and two sticks and Zap made a network out of it!

[Atom]

Ahh yes, the network thread, of course. lol!

[Muddy]

Do you guys know if it's possible to use CAT6 cable for both internet and phone...in other words just using two of the inside wires for the phone? Or are all the wires in the CAT6 used for internet?

[Doc]

I don't know from CAT6, buddy. But we used CAT5 for both, in my office.

[Zap]

That's a hell of an expensive phone line.

[Muddy]

Well it's already in place and would save me having to run a new phone line...

[Muddy]

I don't know from CAT6, buddy. But we used CAT5 for both, in my office.

So it can be done? Some concerns I had from reading:

That it might interfere with the internet speed if higher speeds need all the wires.
That the amount of electricity required to ring the phone could interfere with the internet.

[Zap]

So it can be done? Some concerns I had from reading:

That it might interfere with the internet speed if higher speeds need all the wires.
That the amount of electricity required to ring the phone could interfere with the internet.

I don't know enough about the electrical aspect of it, but the interference theory seems SOUND.
And, it's quite possible that all 4 pairs of wires will be needed for the internet/ethernet anyway.
Best to run a new line, but make it a cat 6 line so that you have the option of what to put on both ends of it.

[Muddy]

The existing line is Cat6. Supposedly (been reading) it's possible to use four wires for internet and two for phone...some say there is no problem in doing this. The opponents seem to be hardcore perfectionists, but maybe they're right.

I was going to use the existing Cat6 cable to pull twine through the conduit and then use the twine to pull a new phone line and the Cat6 back through but when I tried, the Cat6 would NOT budge.

[Zap]

The existing line is Cat6. Supposedly (been reading) it's possible to use four wires for internet and two for phone...some say there is no problem in doing this. The opponents seem to be hardcore perfectionists, but maybe they're right.

I was going to use the existing Cat6 cable to pull twine through the conduit and then use the twine to pull a new phone line and the Cat6 back through but when I tried, the Cat6 would NOT budge.

If you're going to pull wires, why bother with the twine?
Why not just use the existing cat6 to pull another pair of cat6 lines?
Duct tape them together really well and it should work nicely.
(I've pulled cable this way through some tight spaces)

But, since you can't pull the cat6 cable, maybe you can do something with IP telephony?
I'd hate to see you set everything up and then have unexplained issues, causing no end of headaches until it's discovered that you are using 4 wires when you really need all 8.

[Muddy]

IP Telephony? A Googling I will go, a Googling I will go.

[Muddy]

Is phone line obsolete? I bought 150' of it to pull with the Cat6. That was before I learned that it might be possible to use one Cat6 cable for all and also before I learned that the existing Cat6 won't pull through. It's weird, on the studio end it slides with a little play but on the house end won't budge.

[Doc]

Why don't ya just get a MagicJack, and plug into your USB? $19.95 a year, unlimited use anywhere in the US or Canada. (I think it's $39.95 to buy the device, and the first year's service is included in that. Then it's $19.95 per year to renew.) I've had one since they came out, and I use it all the time.
The beauty of it is, you can get any area code you want. I've got one with an Austin, TX area code, so my son and granddaughter can call me free. And I can call them free, too!

[Muddy]

Why don't ya just get a MagicJack, and plug into your USB? $19.95 a year, unlimited use anywhere in the US or Canada. (I think it's $39.95 to buy the device, and the first year's service is included in that. Then it's $19.95 per year to renew.) I've had one since they came out, and I use it all the time.
The beauty of it is, you can get any area code you want. I've got one with an Austin, TX area code, so my son and granddaughter can call me free. And I can call them free, too!

I have no idea what these are but will investigate. Thanks Doc.

[Muddy]

So, I have new conduit run to the studio. Now I'm trying to figure out how to "join" the new wire to the existing box, pictures of which are below.

http://www.btwimho.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=978&stc=1&d=1268658245


http://www.btwimho.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=979&stc=1&d=1268658245


Here's what it looks like on the inside of the wall, directly opposite the above box.

http://www.btwimho.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=980&stc=1&d=1268658741

[Doc]

I have no idea what these are but will investigate. Thanks Doc.

http://www.magicjack.com/6/index.asp:sqwink:

[Zap]

Not sure what you mean. Is the old conduit pictured? And you're trying to get the new line into the studio through the same opening?

[Muddy]

Not sure what you mean. Is the old conduit pictured? And you're trying to get the new line into the studio through the same opening?

Yep, exactly!

[Muddy]

I'm thinking I'll just bring the new conduit up alongside the old, then drill a hole into the existing box and feed the wire in. A little silicon caulking to seal her up.

[Zap]

I'm thinking I'll just bring the new conduit up alongside the old, then drill a hole into the existing box and feed the wire in. A little silicon caulking to seal her up.

That's probably the way I'd go.
If you can, try and drill up into the bottom of the existing cover.
Failing that, I'd go into the right side (the side closest to the 1x4 wood). Then you can build a cover for the existing cover and the line going into it and anchor it to the wood.

Where the hell is Atom when we need him?

[vectro]

Where the hell is Atom when we need him?

I noticed I haven't seen any recent post by him. Has he disappeared since I've been gone?