Home network/patch setup

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lNomNoml

1733 posts

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#300751 2-Oct-2022 11:44

Moving into a new place soon and it doesn't have an internet network/patch panel.

Where would one start if they wanted to do it themselves? I have some networking knowledge and know my way around a network cable crimper.

House is a 3 bedroom with an internal double garage under it, so looking to install a connection in the 3 rooms, kitchen (better to have than not I guess) and lounge so a total of 5 ports so could get away with a 8 port switch, ONT is however located in the lounge.

mattenz

190 posts

Master Geek

#2976221 2-Oct-2022 12:00

A few things from my ongoing experience:

Get to know the spaces in the house a bit where you can run cables.
Get a keystone patch panel, then you can mix punchdown and pass-through keystones (and a punchdown tool). I get a lot of it from Aliexpress.
CAT6a is probably fine, you should get wall-rated.
POE switch is a good idea if you want cameras and ceiling APs.
In your situation I'd get the ONT box moved.

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lNomNoml

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#2976224 2-Oct-2022 12:07

Awesome start thank you, I have a punch down tool already luckily, it will basically be a matter of moving the ONT which I agree on to the garage and getting the cabling, panel and bits to make it all work and figure out how I am going to run the cables in the walls, there is no floor plan sadly.

I guess I should look at adding wifi to this plan I was recommended to get unifi ac pro? I think 1 or 2 should cover the whole house. I currently only have a fritzbox 7490.

Mehrts

857 posts

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#2976236 2-Oct-2022 13:30

With regard to the ONT if it's physically in a spot that's out of the way & not an eyesore, instead of paying to get it moved, put in a wall plate near it, use a short patch lead between the ONT and wall plate, and run the Ethernet cable back to where the patch panel would be.

Then you can have the router located near the patch panel too with the rest of your networking gear.

With regard to Unifi gear, have you had any experience with it at all?
The AC-Pro APs have been around for a very long time now, and my suggestion would be to look at the "U6" range of APs as these support 802.11ax/wifi 6 which is the current generation wifi spec.

Have you decided on a new router, or are you just wanting to use your existing FritzBox with separate APs?

Would recommend a PoE switch, but a specific one would need to be determined by just how many PoE devices you'd want to support, as well as how many ports in general you'd want.

Would you be considering a security camera system in the future?

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lNomNoml

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#2976298 2-Oct-2022 14:44

That's a really good idea I'll take photos when we have moved, ideally would like to keep it where it is to save on costs just thought it was the "correct" thing to do to move it to the garage.

I have had limited experience with unify as per my job, will look at the U6's thank you.

Ideally would just keep the fritzbox if possible I know it's not the most amazing thing out but I'm not looking for an overly amazing network just one with better wifi ability as the fritzbox won't be able to cover the new place.

I already have a cheap TP-Link 8 port switch it doesn't do POE but I would need to look at getting POE for the Unifys or just cheap put for now and use POE injectors and upgrade later.

I would like a security camera system, just a 2 to 3 camera system, 1 camera for the front and back and 1 for the lounge/dinning area.

I will take photos and make a simple floor plan later on, but appreciate all this info so far to help figure out what to do.

elpenguino

2908 posts

Uber Geek

#2976365 2-Oct-2022 16:13

lNomNoml: Moving into a new place soon and it doesn't have an internet network/patch panel.

Where would one start if they wanted to do it themselves? I have some networking knowledge and know my way around a network cable crimper.

House is a 3 bedroom with an internal double garage under it, so looking to install a connection in the 3 rooms, kitchen (better to have than not I guess) and lounge so a total of 5 ports so could get away with a 8 port switch, ONT is however located in the lounge.

I suggest that you may want to add more outlets in the future so go for a larger patch panel that can accommodate future needs.

You may want to consider running two or more to each room. It costs very little extra and gives you redundancy as well as options for the future - e.g. home office in a bedroom?

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

froob

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#2976366 2-Oct-2022 16:18

I put together a guide on network cabling recently, which might help with some of the options: https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=66&topicid=299307

Guide: Installing Network Cabling in New Zealand Homes

mattenz

190 posts

Master Geek

#2976368 2-Oct-2022 16:52

Mehrts:

With regard to the ONT if it's physically in a spot that's out of the way & not an eyesore, instead of paying to get it moved, put in a wall plate near it, use a short patch lead between the ONT and wall plate, and run the Ethernet cable back to where the patch panel would be.

Yeah, I might have PTSD from leaving a fibre install in the hands of a property manager, with explicit instructions for it not to be by the phone jack on the tiny kitchen bench, only to come home and find it just there😤

Also, if you think that you might want to rack mount a server, watch your rack depth. I just bought some rack posts and made one out of lumber, which was a very frustrating job! I've also put a multiroom amplifier in it, so it can fill up.

neb

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#2976457 2-Oct-2022 20:35

If the setup isn't in plain view, i.e. inside a cupboard or similar, there's no need to add the intermediate step of a patch panel, just run the cabling straight out of the wall into the switch. Interposing a patch panel just adds cost, complexity, and points of failure.

lNomNoml

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#2976463 2-Oct-2022 21:32

Awesome thank you all for the advice and info :)

dpf81nz

42 posts

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#2976930 3-Oct-2022 20:04

I have a similar layout

- I just have cables going from each room down into the garage. No patch panel, cables just going straight into a switch as i didnt care as its in the garage and not in plain sight

- My ONT is also in the lounge, i made a wooden boxed cover around it (with ventilation in an area where it cant be seen) and painted it the same colour as the walls, I never notice it now

- I have a ASUS AX3000 Router with Wifi6, also in the garage (cable going from ont down to the garage to the WAN port). Coverage is great around the whole house, YMMV though

lNomNoml

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#2978346 6-Oct-2022 16:23

dpf81nz:

I have a similar layout

- I just have cables going from each room down into the garage. No patch panel, cables just going straight into a switch as i didnt care as its in the garage and not in plain sight

- My ONT is also in the lounge, i made a wooden boxed cover around it (with ventilation in an area where it cant be seen) and painted it the same colour as the walls, I never notice it now

- I have a ASUS AX3000 Router with Wifi6, also in the garage (cable going from ont down to the garage to the WAN port). Coverage is great around the whole house, YMMV though

Cool thank you for this, I have since purchased a 3 pack of 2016 Google WiFi mesh, I know it's slow and outdated but for my needs (having wifi coverage) it should be more than fine, got it for $165 on here. :)

michelangelonz

107 posts

Master Geek

#2978366 6-Oct-2022 17:47

I have a small network cabinet in the garage and patch panel the Ont and switches are all located in it. Its a great setup would suggest if you can.