Does this home network cabinet install look right?

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#2184577 21-Feb-2019 03:29

Hi, if you got a taller cabinet that extended up, then you will get more cable slack, not enough for 24 port panels layed vertical but instead 3x 12 port surface mount units.

And ask for another installer, I think by now whoever created this mess, or at least his boss and the builder must realise he is not up to speed.

Cyril

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sbiddle

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#2184589 21-Feb-2019 08:01

I'm just still puzzled why they think the average home would have a need for such a huge number of Ethernet switch ports. (I'm not meaning total number of outlets - I'm meaning providing a more than 24 switch ports in total).

raytaylor

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#2184629 21-Feb-2019 08:58

The standard I think says 2 power outlets inside the cabinet, but in the homehub cabinets there is never enough space and you almost always end up using a 4-way multiplier.

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mattwnz

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#2184833 21-Feb-2019 14:04

sbiddle:

I'm just still puzzled why they think the average home would have a need for such a huge number of Ethernet switch ports. (I'm not meaning total number of outlets - I'm meaning providing a more than 24 switch ports in total).

Thanks, that is what I was thinking, because not all outlet need to be live, they can be patched to a switch if needed in the future. But guessing they are using the switches as a place to connect the loose incoming cables, otherwise there will be a bunch of loose ones in the box not terminating to anything. That is why we wanted all cables terminating to into a patch panel, and then selected outlets patching across to a switch. Probably upto a 24 switch would be sufficient.

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#2185127 22-Feb-2019 00:13

cyril7: Hi, if you got a taller cabinet that extended up, then you will get more cable slack, not enough for 24 port panels layed vertical but instead 3x 12 port surface mount units.

And ask for another installer, I think by now whoever created this mess, or at least his boss and the builder must realise he is not up to speed.

Cyril

Thanks. Before they cut the Cat6 cables, the would have been enough slack to do them vertically, as a lot of wire was cut off, as it was all hanging down nearly to the floor. . It is very annoying they the cables short, as it restricts what can be done, and may mean a custom made surface mounted network box maybe needed, which is going to delay the project. I understand my parents did ask for a different installer after the first attempt, but the builder appears to be persisting with the current installer, probably because they have done most of the job already and they have a contract. Although they have requested he gets advice and help from an experienced installer. As the builder is employing all the subbies directly, and they have the contract with the installer my parents dont' really have any direct control over which subbies are hired to do the work. But they have requested that once installed, that the system is checked and tested by an independent network expert, so it is all correct and running properly. So hopefully it will result in a good outcome. Funnily enough as it isn't restricted work and it appears anyone can do network installs, there don't appear to be any set rules or guides for a home network install, apart from the TCL installers guidelines, which is what was supposed to be followed in this case.

mattwnz

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#2185128 22-Feb-2019 00:25

raytaylor:

The standard I think says 2 power outlets inside the cabinet, but in the homehub cabinets there is never enough space and you almost always end up using a 4-way multiplier.

Thanks. I think if they had installed 2 x double hotpoints in the box, which would give them 4 powerpoints, and had them mounted in the bottom of the cabinet where there are usually cutouts, that should have given them enough outlets, and also provided more spare room in the box.

1 for ONT

1 for regular switch

1 for POE switch

1 spare for possibly amplified TV splitter or a very small UPS

cyril7

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#2185206 22-Feb-2019 09:26

Hi, no data cabling is technically not a regulated industury in NZ, however in the commercial space no construction company or project managment company will let you on a job if you are not vendor trained and qualified, and as such provide vendor warranty on the work. Vendors typicallly offer cross vendor certification so you are not tied to just one vendors product, but typically installers will only install what they are qualified on, a normally thats their supply chain so they stick with it.

In your situation I recommend that you have 3x 12 port surface mount panels installed at the top, there should be sufficient slack for that, especially if you get a taller cabinet and you will gain the slack in the wall above the current cabinet top.

http://dynamix.co.nz/PP-MINI12-C6B

Cyril

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#2200500 18-Mar-2019 00:36

So this saga continues. They have agreed to install a larger network cabinet (longer) that will be more appropriate to the size of the network, and apparently also going to install patch panels, which will likely have to be in the top half due to the electrician chopping off to much length in the current cables. A TV network installer is apparently now going to be doing the work. We did also ask them to contact Chorus to arrange the ONT to be moved. But this is what awaited me today when I viewed it, with the Chorus ONT hanging from a hole in the wall. Is Chorus required to move the ONT when a box is replaced, and should I be concerned about the ONT hanging like this? I am worried the fibre may get damaged.

loceff13

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#2200502 18-Mar-2019 01:06

sbiddle:

I'm just still puzzled why they think the average home would have a need for such a huge number of Ethernet switch ports. (I'm not meaning total number of outlets - I'm meaning providing a more than 24 switch ports in total).

It's like how some people might call an electrician when a breaker goes. They have never been taught/shown what they can do so even the simple task of looking at the labeled port #40 on the outlet and plugging a cable from #40 to a switch in the cabinet is beyond them. Some people would be happy to never have to touch it and have it just work.

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#2200505 18-Mar-2019 04:53

i would say you would be up for a cost if you get chorus in to "move it". if you have put it back in the new cabinet with out disturbing anything and its neat and tidy and it works i wouldnt bother with them.

sbiddle

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#2200512 18-Mar-2019 07:08

loceff13:

sbiddle:

I'm just still puzzled why they think the average home would have a need for such a huge number of Ethernet switch ports. (I'm not meaning total number of outlets - I'm meaning providing a more than 24 switch ports in total).

It's like how some people might call an electrician when a breaker goes. They have never been taught/shown what they can do so even the simple task of looking at the labeled port #40 on the outlet and plugging a cable from #40 to a switch in the cabinet is beyond them. Some people would be happy to never have to touch it and have it just work.

And that's entirely fine if every port is required for Ethernet, but in a typical setup these days that is certainly not the case. Many people still have voice ports to patch across, and video distribution via cat6 is now incredibly common as well. My terminating everything in a switch this simply isn't possible without a lot more work.

andrewNZ

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#2200513 18-Mar-2019 07:17

Man, I'd be nervous about who they choose.
I'd ask to see proof (photos or an actual viewing) of the person's work first.

There are a LOT of people out there who think they can do this work, most of them definitely can't.

mattwnz

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#2200778 18-Mar-2019 13:39

Jase2985:

i would say you would be up for a cost if you get chorus in to "move it". if you have put it back in the new cabinet with out disturbing anything and its neat and tidy and it works i wouldnt bother with them.

It would be the installer paying because the initial install wasn't done properly and the to specs, so a new larger box has to be installed. I just thought that Chorus didn't permit anyone to touch the ONT after it had been installed, and am concerned it is just hanging there, when the fibre going into the box isn't exactly that durable. I guess it will either work or won't work if it breaks.

mattwnz

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#2200779 18-Mar-2019 13:39

andrewNZ: Man, I'd be nervous about who they choose.
I'd ask to see proof (photos or an actual viewing) of the person's work first.

There are a LOT of people out there who think they can do this work, most of them definitely can't.

Unfortionately we don't have a choice as all subbies are employed by the main contractor.

chevrolux

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#2200788 18-Mar-2019 13:52

The ONT is probably OK. Looks like the hybrid cable is going all the way in to the splice tray on the back so is taking most of the strain off - although strain relief is just a zip tie sooooo..

What I would be worried about though, is to get that ONT off, they would have had to take it off the back mount/splice tray. If you aren't sure what to expect, very easy to break a splice. When the ONT is powered back on, just make sure you get a green optical light. if it's red, call your provider right away to get a fault logged. And then be prepared to get a bill from Chorus for fixing it.

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