We are currently using CAT 5 cable exactly as you are describing.  It
works just fine.  It is the same as using 8 conductor flat UTP cable
with RJ 45 connectors.  As for the 120 feet, I wouldn't sweat it.  I
have strung out serial cable as far as 1500' with no problems.  The HP
specification (50' I think) is a support issue.  As long as your cable
isn't going through any high interference areas, it'll work.
...
John Spivey
LITESPEC Optical Fiber LLC
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
[log in to unmask]
919.541.8490

> ----------
> From:         John Pearce[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent:         Tuesday, July 29, 1997 1:07 AM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Serial cabling
>
> The company is moving into a new building later this year and I'm in
> the
> middle of the specs and contract for data and voice cabling.  I will
> need
> three serial drops for the HP 300-937.  Two of these are for printers
> and
> the third is for a remote console.
>
> One contractor has proposed using the CAT 5 network cable for the
> serial
> connection.  The contractor claims there are ATP connectors with an
> RJ45
> female and there is a corresponding DB-25 with RJ45.  The cable would
> run
> directly from the computer room to the destination.  The longest cable
> run
> is estimated at 120 feet.  That's outside the HP specs for serial
> interface
> and it may be necessary to use a line driver at each end.
>
> Has anyone actually done this? Does anyone know of any problems (or
> reasons
> to avoid) running a HP2564 printer with serial interface and a 700/92
> terminal using the CAT 5 cable?
>
> Thanks for any help or insight.
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> -----
> John Pearce  <[log in to unmask]>
> Colorado Springs, CO  USA
>