Here's 100' ethernet cable $18.55. Can't vouch for the cable but I used the Co. before and they have good service.
http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/category/122/Cables_-_Category_5.html

Found this at Amazon: Belkin 100 ft "patch" cable for $22. http://tinyurl.com/38cnfw

If it's a gigabit lan, then no, don't use the cheap cable. For a 100 megabit lan it's probably OK but why aren't you using a wireless "N Series" lan router like the one from D-Link? Much easier, with no installation expense. If it's for a another computer, a printer, or an ethernet file server, they're both available at reasonable prices. You can buy a 1 terabyte ethernet file server or wireless printer for about $300. Set up the router wired to your cable/dsl modem and the file server and/or printer. Any computer withing 100 meters can then talk to the net and the network file server and/or printer as long as they have a wireless card.

I have a 1 Terabyte Western Digital ethernet file server tied to my primary computer via the wireless router. Two other computers and the printer access all services via wireless lan. All files on the primary and on the file server (2.3 Terabytes of storage for data, music,photos,and video) are fully accessible to all 3 machines with no wires. The printer is accessible to all 3 machine via the wireless link. You can also connect a home theater system or a game controller using this method so any TV in the house can stream recorded TV or DVDs from the main server or the ethernet file server.

I've had no trouble with PartsExpress (search on cat5e) vast collection of discounted Belkin cables. Unfortunately I see only up to 50' with that search. Those work fine, for what that's worth.

Why don't I use a wireless LAN?

First off - lack of dinero. Second off I had one on the machine I'm currently using and the up time was about 12 hours. It seems to fill the RAM or cache or something until the machine crashed.

I was using a Linksys 54G job bought a little over a year ago.

Ever since I started using a cable connection (about 6 ft) no problems.

My son wants to connect up to his machine. Cable seems like the way to go.

What RiverRat said. If it's just standard 100mbps ethernet--and I have no idea why someone with a typical or even above-average home network would want anything faster--then standard ethernet cables you can buy anywhere should be just fine.

Wireless gets a little expensive unless your stuff's all already set up for it.

My cable connection is 10 MBS, 15 if I upgrade the service. So a 1 GBS cable is way overkill.

If the cable will do 100 Base T I should be fine.

For a home network, if you need over 100 foot and plenty to spare, Home Depot has some in stocks but they're probably 500 feet or more though. You might end up looking at Radioshack or what not. However if you do know a local computer geek with network cables to spare, ask him if he can crimpe up some network cables for you at the specified length required.

For a standard network, you can use your WRT54G just fine which works for both wired networks and wireless. However you'd need to lock down your wireless to your MAC address on your laptop if you're going for wireless. Other than that, you should always be trying to rely on a wired network.

Also, the specific cable you'll need is basically Cat5e cable which is a 10/100mbit cable with heads. If you want to make your own, you'll also have to purchase crimpers to make the ends. Now you'll have to have both ends have this design when setting the heads in.

1---3
2---6
3---1
4---7
5---8
6---2
7---4
8---5

Actually, I'm wrong on the above design. That's for a different specified design which is a CISCO thing.

http://www.bb-elec.com/images/EthernetRJ45A.gif
Follow the top diagram.

I've found Firefold provides quality and quick response, even on small orders. Also have a good FAQ.
http://www.firefold.com/Default.aspx

Yeah, make your own. That's what I did, and I wrote about it in a post:

http://www.classicalvalues.com/archives/2007/08/tiny_details_th.html

(I have no idea why someone with a typical or even above-average home network would want anything faster--then standard ethernet cables you can buy anywhere should be just fine. )

High Definintion Video streaming and gaming either via wire or wireless.

Alene,

Thanks for that. I had seen them in my searches and wondered if they were reputable.

You have made my day!!!!!!!!

Ditto Eric. You'll end up spending more in the initial setup for connectors, crimper, stripper and a box of cable, but you'll have exactly the cable you need, and repairs and quick if one gets pulled apart. (And that is the first step to getting the confidence to fish cable through the walls and get everything wired to jacks.)

Phelps,

The cable is going on the floor. I live in an apt.

I have been crimping cables for 50 years including military circular connectors, coax with BNC connectors, DB-25's and telephone cables. Confidence not lacking.

I'm just not interested in the hassle with ready made cables so cheap.