Since keeping my serial terminal next to the server it controls seemed a bit pointless (the server also having a local keyboard and screen) I thought about ways of extending the serial cable so the terminal could go into another room.

I had a few choices:

• Make a really long serial cable and run it around my house
• Buy a really long serial cable
• Somehow use the existing network cabling in my house

The first option seemed like too much hard work for little gain, the second option involved spending lots of money which I didn't really like the sound of. The third option sounded much better, combining both hard work and the requirement to spend a moderate amount of money.