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[XS]

Okay since, there is no place to put this on here I created this thread on this forum, hopefully it's okay.

All right I have been noticing line quality issues since switching to Cox cable where my ping and jitter increase 10-15ms at peak times.  However I want to make sure my end is good too. So I started looking around at my my cabling.

Please see this thread for specifics: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r26220927-AZ-What-are-the-minimum-download-speeds-and-acceptable-jitter-

I know that when you terminate an end of a CAT5e cable that you should not untwist a twisted pair more than .5" to avoid line quality/reduced speed issues.  I also know that the least amount splices the better.
With that being said, all my network wires are ran from one panel to different rooms and are terminated to a H628 DATA HUB.  This type of data hub makes it very difficult to follow the .5" guideline since the 110 punch block is vertical.  I am wondering why even use this?  All this accomplishes is extra splices, cables and patch cords.

For example:  I hope its not too confusing to follow...

Cable modem>3ft patch cord>Female data hub>110 punch block>female wall outlet> 10' patch cord>router.

My Xbox is directly wired to my router with 10' patch cord so it ends there however my PC continues on like this:

Router>10' patch cord>Female wall outlet>110 punch block>1ft patch cord>female data hub>110 punch block>female wall outlet>patch cord to PC

I know its hard to follow but why use a data hub in the panel?
I think it makes more sense not even use the data hub and just terminate a couple of the runs with RJ45 connectors in the panel to remove a few splices, like this:

Cable modem>male spliced cat5e cable>female wall outlet>10' patch cord>router= Removed 2 connection points to router.

Now to PC:

Router>10' patch cord>Female wall outlet>male terminated end>to female terminate end>Female wall out let>patch cord to PC= removed 2 connections for a total of 4 to my PC path.

I know I probably lost you guys but If I removed the data hub out of the equation, would this really help any or am I just being anal here and wasting my time and money???

[Hard Harry]

First, do you even have a DGL-4500?

Second, yes, this is hard to fallow without visuals.

3rd, this is more the job for the installer of your system. I assume your house came pre-wired? Can you contact your construction chief?

4th, you need to rule out ISP. Go direct from PC to modem for a day or so and run Pingplotter. Then if all is well at the location, move it to the next hop in the chain of your network until you experience the problem. Slow and painful yes, but decently accurate.

[XS]

Yes I have a DGL-4500 router, Furry stated just to post it here, see the OT discussion thread.  My bad if I misinterpreted.

As for installer, don't let me get started, lets just say 75% of the time I have something professional installed I end up redoing all their professional work.  

There really is no issue with how the cabling is ran from a builders stand point, this is how structured wiring is supposed to be wired so I have no argument.  I am just a perfectionist and trying to make sure my end is top notch.  Who knows this may not accomplish anything, hence the thread.

Yeah I was thinking of trying something like #4 already but just wanted to get some input or other ideas first.

[Hard Harry]

You could save some time running the same tests to the 192.168.100.1 of your cable modem. If your seeing latency or jitter there, then you know for sure its not on Cox end. Keep in mind, if you don't see if with that test, that does NOT mean its on Cox's end for sure. “Absence of proof is not proof of absence.” and all that. If the issue is being cause by some RF issue, then it will only occur when that RF is present.

And BTW, didn't mean to get on your back about the posting. I just saw a huge post and no mention of the 4500. I forgot I have seen you around this forum before.

[XS]

No problem Harry, I had a feeling you were thinking to yourself "who is this idiot?", lol.
Yeah I got a help ticket in with Cox and they are sending a tech over Monday.  They are not seeing see any connection issues when they connect to my modem remotely. 

I am pretty confident my wiring is not the root cause of the peak time line quality issues, but If I can cut down a millisecond or two on my ping or jitter by just re-wiring a couple termination points, its worth it to me.

I will probably just run a long CAT5E cable to my modem to my PC and run some line quality tests and see if there is any difference.  I just hate resetting my modem, then my router to get the IP's all straight again.

[JavaLawyer]

Is the line quality/latency issue you're experiencing something new or a recurring issue since you started service? Also, do you live in a free standing house or apartment complex?

Quite often when the field techs muck with the wire closet in an apartment complex, their tinkering invariably impacts the signal strength and quality of other units, especially when different carriers are involved rerouting cables when customers change/cancel service. Numerous environmental impacts can also degrade line quality.

I was a Cox subscriber a number of years back when I lived in Northern Virginia and had a long discussion with a Cox VP (their corporate HQ is in Northern Virginia). A huge issue they were facing was the inconsistent quality of the field tech staff, who were essentially outsourced freelancers with their own equipment and highly variable skill sets. It just took one incompetent technician to mess-up a whole customer subnet.

[FurryNutz]

Just curious if you have thought about going from CAT 5e to CAT 6?

[XS]

It is a single family residence built in 2004.  I just switched to Cox a month ago, first 2 weeks, speeds were in spec and line quality (I think) was okay.  To be honest I am not sure if speedtest.net is very reliable.  If If I uses Cox speed test, everything is blazing fast.  I am more concerned with the line quality though.

My wiring is to code but IMHO doesn't make it the best way to do it.  The Data hub seems to me like a worthless termination point only to make plug in play easier for techs.
see image of hub:


Also see my first post and click on the DSL forums link, it has graphs on my line quality at day time and night time.

Furry,
Not yet, looking at my CAT5E cabling, it appears to be pretty good quality and has been tested up 350MHz so its a tad better than cate5e (little "e") which is rated at 100MHz. 
Its supposed to have tighter twisted pairs but who knows probably all smoke and mirrors.

[FurryNutz]

Hmm, didn't know there was a Big E and a little e difference? I thought there was only Cat5, Cat5e and Cat 6, etc.

[JavaLawyer]

Hmm, didn't know there was a Big E and a little e difference? I thought there was only Cat5, Cat5e and Cat 6, etc.

There's also Cat7 (600 MHz) and Cat7a (1000 MHz). Although, I don't think Cat7a was ratified as a standard yet (??).

[FurryNutz]

Ya, CAT 7 has't been released and approved yet I don't think.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_7_cable

[XS]

Hmm, didn't know there was a Big E and a little e difference? I thought there was only Cat5, Cat5e and Cat 6, etc.

Yep, there is, I really don't think there is difference between a quality cat5e vs a cat5E 350MHz cable. 

"Cat 5e is tested over a frequency range of 100 MHz. This is the EIA/TIA standard for Cat 5e.

Cat 5E is tested over a frequency range of 350 MHz or more. This is a greater range than is required by the EIA/TIA to meet Cat 5e standards."

[FurryNutz]

Well maybe eventually you might consider CAT6 and weed out the confusion of e and E. LOL.

[XS]

Okay this is the best I could do, I hope it helps.  On the left is how it is wired now and on the right is how I think I should wire it to eliminate a total of 4 termination points, but would this really help?

[FurryNutz]

Your lay out is ok, however it's preferred to put the router as close the the ISP modem, directly connected to the ISP modem, then run wires to the switch then from there out to devices. Is there any way you can still directly wire the xbox to the router in this configuration?