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The original was posted on /r/homelab by /u/fudge_u on 2024-01-24 04:07:06+00:00.
Here's my scenario:
- The builders installed Cat5E cable in my home when it was built over 10 years ago.
- The Cat5E was only used for telephones, not ethernet.
- This week I replaced 6 out of 7 telephone jacks with RJ45 keystone jacks.
- I removed the blue/white wires from the telephone block and straightened out all of the wires within the Cat5E cables.
- The telephone block is directly next to the breaker panel.
- The Cat5E cables are also all next to the breaker panel and the cables are tight. There's no slack for me to pull more from.
- I was trying to install a patch panel, but there's not enough room near the breaker panel for me to install one.
- The area around the breaker panel is surround by insulation with no drywall.
- Replacing the existing cables for something longer or better isn't an option because they're buried in the walls and they go up two floors.
- I want to setup my homelab about 10 feet away from the breaker panel, so I need a way to extend my cables.
My question is, what is the best way to extend the length of the existing Cat5E cables without affecting network performance?
It seems like junction boxes might be the best way, but I'm wondering if there are any other options available that I should consider. Please let me know.
TIA.