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[Gringoloco]

Nicholas,

150 mt Cat5 will cause network instability, If you move the switch for the understage machines to the 100 mt mark, and then extend 50 mt to each machine, your issues will likely go away.

The fiber method mentioned by Phil is an excellent option.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category_5_cable is the Wiki on Max Cable Length.

Hope this helps.

[Spam Butterfly]

I agree with the other chaps. 150m really is too long. Sometimes on a good day with the wind on in your sails and God on your side you can get a bit longer than the 100m limit, but I wouldn't risk a show on this. As Phil points out, in practice it is wise never to make your cables longer than 90m.

Fibre optic is never a cheap option mind you, and there are scenarios where fibre just isn't appropriate.
I tend specify and use Cisco switches and GIBCs out of force of habit. A fibre capable Cisco SG-300 series switch is good value, and you can get POE variants. You can buy made up LC-LC fibre pretty cheaply. I have tended to use 4 way fibre with Stratos connectors which allows 2 gigabit networks (Artnet and Catnet). On shows I've done recently I've added an extra 4 way fibre using LACP between the switches for a bit of redundancy. Nothing like a fork lift running over your fibre line to ruin your day...

Hugh