Toggling Ethernet

[bmxfreakrider]

Hey, I need to toggle an ethernet connection to one of my computers without using the pc (its a file server that I leave on. It has an active connection for downloading music, and a secondary card that connects to the wan port on my router then to the other pc's)

I need to externally switch on and off the connection, and the switch is in a bad place to continually plug and unplug it, same with the pc. I have a whole bunch of Cat5e cable and some light switches, im just wondering if its possible to connect the light switch to one of the cables to enable/disable the connection.

awhile ago i seen someone else do this, i just cant find it on google anymore. theres 8 wires to choose from, and im sure that if i can switch one of them on and off and have it enable/disable the connection

 

[Trotter]

Put the light switch in the middle of an extension cord and use it to toggle the power. Seriously, it would work.

If you can mount the switch so you can easily reach it, you can just unplug the ethernet you don't need. I have my router set up like this, and will be doing the same when I get a switch.

 

[bmxfreakrider]

well i have all the materials out infront of me anyways.

about 200ft of spool cat5e
one 15ft cat5e cord with connections
one dpst switch
soldering iron
solder
etc...


since i can only break the signal between two wires, which two would be the best to do it to?

the
RX+
RX-
TX+
TX-

?

i tried it with the RX+/TX+ but i think one of my solders is bad, so im redoing it with any suggestions on here.

and i would toggle power to the whole system, but... that would involve setting up a monitor, kb, and mouse for it, and i dont have any available, plus i would have to restart all of the progs and re-enable all of the settings (about 10min process) rather than 5s for toggling the ethernet switch

 

[CrazeD]

Just curious, why would you want to do that?

 

[bmxfreakrider]

so when i take off to school my stepbrother doesnt try and fck with my ongoing project of fixing his last messup (which was deleting/renaming/generally screwing up my perfectly named, album'd, bitrated, artised, 320kbps mp3 library (that had 6000 songs, now im working back up from 800 songs, at 4000 right now)

i got the switch made, looks like a standard light switch just sitting on top of my dresser with a grey cable and a blue cable running out of its back

 

[CrazeD]

So what's to stop him from flicking the switch?

 

[patonb]

think its to stop him from screwing with the files, not just shutting it off.

 

[Lexluethar]

But unless the switch is hidden he could just flip the switch to turn it on and cause havoc again.

 

[CrazeD]

But unless the switch is hidden he could just flip the switch to turn it on and cause havoc again.

Exactly.

I think you should just password your network or something.

 

[patonb]

Exactly.

I think you should just password your network or something.

Haha long day........ I miss read your 1st post....... Maybe hes not smrt enuff to figure it out.