Network cables thru the house and router in cupboard.

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Network cables thru the house and router in cupboard.

rayonline

1734 posts

Uber Geek

#115802 7-Apr-2013 14:14

Hi, first, is it ok to put a power outlet in a cupboard/wardrobe so the network switch can get power? Also re: the network cabling. Is it point to point, that would use a lot of cable right? Like ...

Network switch - bedroom 1
Network switch - bedroom 2
Network switch - lounge
etc ..

I cannot daisy chain?
I am looking at puttin in a Snap Fritzbox in the lounge behind the TV and run a Cat6 cablt to the network switch.

Just pondering about it ... thanks. Thinking of putting a twin RJ45 per location. That would mean 2x the cable.

Many thanks.

RunningMan

8953 posts

Uber Geek

#794602 7-Apr-2013 14:21

Yes, OK to be in cupboard. Make sure it does get some airflow for electrical gear though.

Yes, point to each point (hence star wiring). Can't daisy chain.

sidefx

3711 posts

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Trusted

#794603 7-Apr-2013 14:25

Might be worth reading through these for ideas:

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/hazza87/7956

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/sbiddle/4511

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coffeebaron

6231 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#794605 7-Apr-2013 14:26

RunningMan: Yes, OK to be in cupboard. Make sure it does get some airflow for electrical gear though.

Yes, point to each point (hence star wiring). Can't daisy chain.

I just converted a geekzone members daisy-chain phone wiring to a daisy-chain network the other day. Means a network switch, or jumper cable at each point though; but was still cheaper than converting to full structured cabling.

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DarthKermit

5346 posts

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#794609 7-Apr-2013 14:37

Yes it may use a fair bit of cable since you need one run of cable to each network outlet (unless you have a network switch at your single outlet). However, network cable is really quite cheap to buy.

Whatifthespacekeyhadneverbeeninvented?

rayonline

1734 posts

Uber Geek

#794623 7-Apr-2013 15:20

Thanks for that.

At the TV area, where the ONT is going to be there will be the 2 or 4 port Fritzbox and upstairs maybe a 8 port switch for the bedrooms. A single cable from the TV to the switch upstairs - that's ok? Seems like a reliant on a single cable. Are Cat6 cable ok to be wired outside for a small distance. Need to go from TV room to say outside to in the basement.

Not going to tear down walls, so might use behind the wardrobes to punch a hole thru a wall and install a twin plate. Most difficult thing might be to drill a hole down the carpet to get to the basement to route that single cable.

InstallerUFB

840 posts

Ultimate Geek

#794627 7-Apr-2013 15:30

rayonline: Thanks for that.

At the TV area, where the ONT is going to be there will be the 2 or 4 port Fritzbox and upstairs maybe a 8 port switch for the bedrooms. A single cable from the TV to the switch upstairs - that's ok?

yes

Seems like a reliant on a single cable. Are Cat6 cable ok to be wired outside for a small distance. Need to go from TV room to say outside to in the basement.

Standard Cat5e and Cat6 Cables have a extenal sheathing that is hydroscopic (In other words will suck in water ). They turn brittle over time as the instulation breaks down and then fail - there are specialy clade cables you can obtain for extenal use but a little section of 20mm electrial conduit (to run the cable through) and some mastic sealer (for the holes in the walls) will be cheaper, and easier to install, if your only running for a short distance

Not going to tear down walls, so might use behind the wardrobes to punch a hole thru a wall and install a twin plate. Most difficult thing might be to drill a hole down the carpet to get to the basement to route that single cable.

gently pull the carpet back (a very small distance) from the edgeing strip to expose the floor before drilling - never drill into the carpet or you will end up with a balding flooring and a whole heap of nylon/wool rapped around the drill :-)

rayonline

1734 posts

Uber Geek

#794672 7-Apr-2013 18:18

Thanks for all the help and the links to the articles very helpful :) I just have two very last questions.

1. I read that a laptop can be plugged into the ONT, so do I still need the Fritzbox to connect the RJ45 network to the Internet right? Acting as the router. Or can I forgo the Fritzbox and just use a Switch?

2. The articles touched upon a Patch Panel. I also google on this. If I am have 3 bedrooms where the switch is going to be placed. That is 6 ports, 2 in each room. I could just put RJ45 connectors one each, connect onto the switch and attach them onto the wall panel right? I don't need a Patch Panel?

PS. I figured that the switch cannot be put in the garage b/c it would mean 6 cables going outside of the house to the attic which is harder to hide than the just (1).

Thanks again.

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InstallerUFB

840 posts

Ultimate Geek

#794688 7-Apr-2013 19:10

rayonline: Thanks for all the help and the links to the articles very helpful :) I just have two very last questions.

1. I read that a laptop can be plugged into the ONT, so do I still need the Fritzbox to connect the RJ45 network to the Internet right? Acting as the router. Or can I forgo the Fritzbox and just use a Switch?

Correct a laptop can be pluged into the ONT (that is actualy how we programme them) but that wont do you any good to access the internet (unless it is specificaly programmed to connect directly) - a router is required to distribute your connecton around the house ( and to possibly split out Voip etc)

2. The articles touched upon a Patch Panel. I also google on this. If I am have 3 bedrooms where the switch is going to be placed. That is 6 ports, 2 in each room. I could just put RJ45 connectors one each, connect onto the switch and attach them onto the wall panel right? I don't need a Patch Panel?

Yes you can just put rj45 plugs on the end of the cables and just plug them into the switch and the other end into the devices - it all depends on what 'look' you are looking for and what the wife will let you get away with (dont forget that a neater finish will give you a better resale value)

a patch panel could be just a number of face plates with sockets/jacks fitted it doesnt have to be supper fancy

PS. I figured that the switch cannot be put in the garage b/c it would mean 6 cables going outside of the house to the attic which is harder to hide than the just (1).

Thanks again.

nickb800

2715 posts

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#794721 7-Apr-2013 19:49

Just my 2cents:
As you have identified, the most effort involved will be in drilling holes and running cable, and this effort doesn't increase much if you decide to run more cables. A 305 meter long roll (well it comes in a box) of Cat5e will cost less than $150 to your door.

I suggest buy a box of cable and go nuts, star wire it all (not daisy chain), and while you are going through all this hassle its not much extra effort to run extra cables to each location and to every room where you think you might need it in future.

If you really want to save money then you could run say 4 cables to each location but only wire up 2, leaving 2 behind the outlet for future use (as the sockets seem to be the most expensive marginal cost)