Gman7711 Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 I tried searching and could not find am answer. What is the max length of a LOR network with cat5 cable? Max between controllers? Max total away from computer? I have the standard usb adaptor. I want to go 50' to my first controller, then 100' to the next, then 25' to the last, all on one network daisy chained together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wbottomley Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 (edited) I tried searching and could not find am answer. What is the max length of a LOR network with cat5 cable? Max between controllers? Max total away from computer? I have the standard usb adaptor. I want to go 50' to my first controller, then 100' to the next, then 25' to the last, all on one network daisy chained together.First question. How many controllers do you have?And.. here's your answer. Edited November 5, 2012 by wbottomley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilM0nkey Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 Considering they sell it up to 100' I think you'll be fine. Not sure about total distance, that doesn't seem unreasonable since most office buildings have miles of cat5http://store.lightorama.com/caecabo1.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Fischer Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 There are folks here who have 50-100+ controllers with a network much longer than that.You'll be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gman7711 Posted November 5, 2012 Author Share Posted November 5, 2012 First question. How many controllers do you have?3And.. here's your answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gman7711 Posted November 5, 2012 Author Share Posted November 5, 2012 "and no physical data run of wire can exceed 4,000 feet."from above link. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wbottomley Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 With three controllers, I'm positive you won't have any trouble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToddH Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 The bigger question I would ask here is, are you making the cable yourself and if so are you using stranded cable or solid? Cat5 or Cat 5e or 6? Also have to consider what speeds you are looking for it to connect at, I have not checked to see what speed the lor boards are rated at, if they can handle 100mbps.Here is a standard certifiable answer:For Solid UTP:Fast Ethernet 100baseT 100 Meters (328 feet)Twisted Pair Ethernet 10baseT 100 Meters (328 feet)Recommended maximum lengths for Patch Cables made from stranded cable:Fast Ethernet 100baseT 10 Meters (33 feet)Twisted Pair Ethernet 10baseT 10 Meters (33 feet) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Fischer Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 The bigger question I would ask here is, are you making the cable yourself and if so are you using stranded cable or solid? Cat5 or Cat 5e or 6? Also have to consider what speeds you are looking for it to connect at, I have not checked to see what speed the lor boards are rated at, if they can handle 100mbps.Here is a standard certifiable answer:For Solid UTP:Fast Ethernet 100baseT 100 Meters (328 feet)Twisted Pair Ethernet 10baseT 100 Meters (328 feet)Recommended maximum lengths for Patch Cables made from stranded cable:Fast Ethernet 100baseT 10 Meters (33 feet)Twisted Pair Ethernet 10baseT 10 Meters (33 feet)The LOR network does not use ethernet. It uses a much slower RS485 network which is designed for non-ideal conditions. You can go MUCH further with an LOR network than 328 feet.Of course, if you're talking about an E1.31 network which *is* ethernet, that's totally different (but not what was asked by the OP) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-Paul Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 Todd, it appears you have not seen me repeatedly state THIS IS NOT ETHERNET, BUT RS-485. RS-485 White papers state a max cable length of 4000' in idea conditions. But then too, with the use of a repeater you can go another 4000'. As Tim pointed out, if your using E1.31 then the 100 meters rule is in effect.People Cat5 or5e or 6 defines the number of CONDUCTORS, the jacket thickness and what it is made up from. The twist rate of each pair and if there is any kind of separator that keeps the wires in a certain relationship to each other. Also things like impedance and inductive and capassive coupling. It does not define the protocol such as RS-485 or Ethernet (English vs Greek).Oh and by the way. RS-485 speeds are in part limited by the fact that this is a serial signal. Not real sure what the top speed of RS-485 is but thinking I have seen 192Kbps. But I am thinking and hope someone who does know will comment. But thinking LOR is like 56Kbps. So, we are a long long ways away from 10Mbps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToddH Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 Todd, it appears you have not seen me repeatedly state THIS IS NOT ETHERNET, BUT RS-485. RS-485 White papers state a max cable length of 4000' in idea conditions. But then too, with the use of a repeater you can go another 4000'. As Tim pointed out, if your using E1.31 then the 100 meters rule is in effect.People Cat5 or5e or 6 defines the number of CONDUCTORS, the jacket thickness and what it is made up from. The twist rate of each pair and if there is any kind of separator that keeps the wires in a certain relationship to each other. Also things like impedance and inductive and capassive coupling. It does not define the protocol such as RS-485 or Ethernet (English vs Greek).Oh and by the way. RS-485 speeds are in part limited by the fact that this is a serial signal. Not real sure what the top speed of RS-485 is but thinking I have seen 192Kbps. But I am thinking and hope someone who does know will comment. But thinking LOR is like 56Kbps. So, we are a long long ways away from 10Mbps.Max, what was that? is LOR an ETHERNET? I am sure I did read that when I was trolling a few years back but clearly slipped my thoughts. Sorry If I caused any confusion...just got networking on the brain, just got 3 new Dell PowerEdge R620 servers today. again sorry to the OP if I confused you, was not my intent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-Paul Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 No LOR is not, but it appears your servers are. The Caps where more for the newbies. The use of a CatXx cable does wonders for confusing people from time to time. Nothing like setting up new servers. Lots of stuff to keep on the top of your mind and one slip up can cause problems that might run you around in circles till you come back to that one setting. Good luck with the install. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Fischer Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 The use of a CatXx cable does wonders for confusing people from time to time.It doen't help that I have Cat5 in the yard for: 1) LOR network 2) DMX network 3) E1.31 (Ethernet) 4) Post-DC-controller to RGB device connections. That's 4 different things that I"m using the same type of cable for. I've been doing this for years and even I have to scratch my head about which wire is what sometimes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainCook Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 RS-485 can certainly go faster than LOR is pushing it BUT in going faster it limits the cable length. They want a reliable, resiliant communication network.The DMX protocol runs over RS-485 connections at 250Kb for hundreds of feet. CANbus (think Automotive/Truck OBDI) runs over RS-485 at 500Kb and 2Mb - both limited to less than 100'. I have also worked on some internal aircraft systems communicating over CANbus at 10Mb and I am told they can exceed 30Mb - but then your entire display would have to fit in an area the size of a 5' desktop. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-Paul Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 Tank you ah captain. Good deal of data there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hall Posted November 11, 2012 Share Posted November 11, 2012 If I'm not mistaken, I should be able to use Cat6 mixed in with Cat5 cables as well? I just found a good price on 100' Cat6 cable that is lower than Monoprice.com's Cat5 after shipping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-klb- Posted November 11, 2012 Share Posted November 11, 2012 No issues mixing cat 5 & 6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hall Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Great. Now to buy some cheap Cat6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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