Creating the Network Box in the Outbuilding
Summary: Replaced an unreliable 300ft Cat6 copper run with fiber optic, built a dedicated network box, and stabilized CNC shop connectivity.
Problem
The CNC shop, located in a separate outbuilding, relied on a ~300ft Cat6 cable run from the main building. During hot summer days, the connection would often cut out, causing downtime and frustration. I was asked to resolve this persistent issue.
Plan
I researched solutions and determined that fiber optic was the best long-term option:
- Immune to heat-related signal loss.
- Stable over long distances.
- Higher bandwidth and reliability.
I selected:
This would deliver a gigabit connection between the buildings.
Implementation
- Helped mount the fiber cable along the side of the shop, through an underground conduit, and into the new network rack.
- Installed the media converters to transition fiber back to Ethernet.
- Built a network box to organize and protect equipment inside the CNC shop.
- Verified stable connectivity and ensured all CNC machines were online.
Fiber to Ethernet Media Converter Side of building where fiber cable is mounted Fiber to Ethernet Media Converter in person in hand
Installing the Network Box
Before
After
cnc shop machines
Results
- Eliminated connection dropouts caused by copper cable and heat.
- Established a reliable, high-speed gigabit link between buildings.
- Improved uptime for CNC machines and shop operations.
- Created a clean, organized network box to support future growth.
Skills Demonstrated
- Networking: Fiber installation, media conversion, long-distance connectivity.
- Hardware: Rack setup, cabling, physical infrastructure improvements.
- Problem-Solving: Researched and implemented a cost-effective, durable solution.
- Organization: Built a neat, functional network box for ongoing maintainability.
Lessons Learned
- Fiber is the best long-distance option for stability and performance.
- Environmental factors (like heat) can directly affect copper cabling reliability.
- Clean, organized installations make troubleshooting easier in the long run.