Networking Cable

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Grid workbench.png   Networking Cable
Grid Networking Cable.png
Item ID 1229
Damage Value 0
Peripheral? No

Networking cable is used to establish network connections between computers and peripherals. To connect networking cable to a computer or peripheral, computercraft uses Wired Modems which can be attached to the sides of appropriate computercraft blocks. This means that networking cable can be set up next to a computer without connecting the computer to the network if the player doesn't choose to attach a modem there.

Crafting

Empty-crafting-table.png
Grid Stone.png
Grid Stone.png
Grid Redstone.png
Grid Stone.png
Grid Networking Cable.png
Networking CableNetworking Cable
Grid Stone.png

Advantages

  • Reliability: Networks created using networking cable are more reliable than wireless networks because Wireless Modems have their range drastically reduced during thunderstorms, whereas wired modems have a maximum range of 256 cable segments regardless of weather. Networks using networking cables will work as long their cables and endpoints are within loaded chunks.
  • Stealth: Networking cable can be helpful in multiplayer games when players want to establish hidden bases. Any wireless transmission can be picked up by another wireless receiver in range if the receiver is listening on the appropriate channel. This can alert hostile players to the presence of a secret base and even allow them to triangulate the transmission source. Networking cables can't be tapped into unless physically located and accessed.
  • Low cost: When players have few resources available, it is generally easier to get redstone dust and stone for both networking cables and wired modems than it is to get a ender pearls, which are required for wireless modems.
  • Remote peripheral access: Computers may access peripherals connected via network cabling as if they were directly adjacent. Not so with wireless modems, short of scripted work-arounds.

Disadvantages

  • Fixed position: Wired networks are great for controlling doors, dispensers, printers, cobble generators, and other equipment which stays in place, but they are not feasible for communicating with turtles which move around for mining and construction. Turtles can be programmed to periodically return for updates, but this is inconvenient.
  • Limited turtle compatibility: Turtles cannot be equipped with wired modems, so the best means of getting a turtle to communicate over a wired network would involve using the redstone API to exchange data in binary or analog format with a computer which is on the network, or using a Disk Drive attached to the network and exchanging messages by manipulating files on the drive. This isn't an impossible problem to solve, but it is an annoyance compared to exchanging messages using standard network protocols via a wireless modem.

History

1.51Added Networking Cables.
Grid Redstone.pngComputerCraft Blocks and Items
Grid paper.png  Blocks
 Iso Computer.png  Computer Iso Advanced Computer.png  Advanced Computer Iso Command Computer.png  Command Computer Iso DiskDrive.png  Disk Drive
 Iso Monitor.png  Monitor Iso Advanced Monitor.png  Advanced Monitor Iso Printer.png  Printer Grid turtle.png  Turtle
 Grid Modem.png  Wireless Modem Grid Ender Modem.png  Ender Modem Grid Wired Modem.png  Wired Modem Grid Networking Cable.png  Networking Cable
Grid paper.png  Items
 Grid Pocket Computer.png  Pocket Computer Grid Advanced Pocket Computer.png  Advanced Pocket Computer Grid disk.png  Floppy Disk Grid printed page.png  Printed Page
 Grid printed pages.png  Printed Pages Grid printed book .png  Printed Book