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Network-in-a-box
from Belkin
Review Date: 10/3/2001
by: Chris Kaminski
Score 2/3
This ethernet wiring kit contains all the cabling hardware you need to install a
5 node 100Base-T Ethernet network in your home. Belkin has always been known for
their quality cables and tools and this kit does not let you down. The tools are
professional and sturdy and the Ethernet cable is very flexible.
The kit includes:
Tools
Cabling
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10x RJ-45 connectors
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100 ft of CAT-5 cable
Wall Jacks
Value
I totaled up the value of the tools and cabling the kit includes and was pleasantly
shocked. The punchdown tool and crimping tool alone make this kit a fantastic value.
Adding the aprox price of all the other components I came up with a figure somewhere
around $240. At about $109 for the kit, this is a STEAL. When I checked buy.com
it was around $85.00. If you are getting ready to wire your home for Ethernet,
this is the best value you are going to find - anywhere!
My experience
Unfortunately, Belkin forgot one thing in their kit - directions. When the
kit came in, I was ready to put some real cabling into my home to replace the multiple
75ft cables running across the carpet and behind the furniture. I opened up the
box, took out all the tools, and then realized that I had no idea how to properly
use these tools. The kit comes with absolutely no instructions beyond some simple
pictures on the back of the box.
Summary
If you want to wire your home, buy this kit and a book about wiring. This kit contains
professional tools at a fraction of the retail cost - you simply can't pass
it up. As for a book, try
Mike's Basic Guide to Cabling Computers or
the 65 page ebook, Residential Cabling Guide(link dead
& Removed).
This kit would have easily recieved a 3/3 if it included some instructions.
People that do not need wiring directions probably don't need to buy a 'network
in a box'.
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Belkin Ethernet Wiring Kit
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