Wiring my house with CAT.

[bremen1874]

Ok,
Thanks mate.

What does the patch panel offer that plugging direct to a switch doesn't? or is not matter?

It's neater because unused ports don't leave trailing cables.

It's more flexible as it makes it simple to use the same infrastructure for other things such as telephone extensions.

It’s simpler because you don’t need a crimp tool.

There’s nothing to stop you putting plugs on for the moment and then changing your mind later. It wouldn’t take long to chop the plugs off and punch the cables down properly. Just make sure you leave enough trailing cable to allow for it.

 

[Biz.Kid09]

Ok thank you mate,

I think that just a switch will be best for now at least until i have fully worked out space for a patch panel etc.

If i want gigabit speeds i only need a gigabit switch? not a gigabit router?

What brand switch should i go for also?

 

[bremen1874]

You do seem to be doing things a bit out of their normal order. Finding a suitable place for all the cables to run back to should be your first task. Almost everything else depends on it.

Yes, you only need a Gigabit switch.

For your needs the TP-Link stuff OcUK sells should be fine. If you’re willing to spend more (and you probably won’t see any benefit) then I like HP ProCurve kit.

 

[Mike1983]

Nice tiny network you have there Mikem nice to see a little sense in networking. Love the upper door wifi kit you got there. Funky as for a small house network.

Very nice Mike... I run a similar setup with my oddity being a secondary WAP built into a kitchen unit

Thank you for the compliments This is just a little project of mine that I keep adding to. Possibly overkill, possibly OCD with the cable colours and diagram but it keeps me busy

... I think that just a switch will be best for now at least until i have fully worked out space for a patch panel etc. ....

I really recommend you go the extra yard and get yourself a patch panel. My suggested real world benefits are as listed below

1) So much neater. 16 cable ends terminated with RJ45's would take up a lot of space and look unsightly if they are to be on show.
2) Cable identification. 16 cable ends will all look the same therefore it would be trial and error to connect / disconnect the cable you want. You could have course put individual labels on but as above this will just add to the mess (especially Brother tab style labels). A patch panel has numbered ports, you go round the house numbering your wall plate ports so that they correspond to the patch panel making your life easier. You could then go to the level of getting small runs of coloured cable (different colour for different room) between the panel and the switch as in my example.
3) Cable integrity. Once terminated on the patch panel you aren't really disturbing the main cable behind the wall anymore. Imagine having a single cable that runs from a wall plate > behind your wall > switch (as in your proposal) and you accidently run over the trailing end with an office chair or other kind of damage. You'd have to chop back the cable to before the point of damage and reterminate thus leaving uneven lengths etc. You could even potentially damage it to the point of entry into the network room thus leaving you with a bit of a headache.

In summary, I'd strongly suggest planning out the location of the switch and patch panel first, even if it means a delay to your project. You'll be left with a much neater and robust installation.

As was said though, if you're in a rush, leaving long ends terminated in a switch with a view to cutting them back to a patch panel at a later date is fine. A couple of hours worth of planning though will save you this extra hassle.

Hope that gives you some ideas / thoughts.

Mike

 

[Magic_x_uk]

ONE other thing which I do not think has been mentioned.

When running Cat5e cable in walls/outside etc. To your patch panel and wall plates you are best to use SOLID cat5e as A) it will punch down perfectly onto IDC terminals and B) does not crimp onto RJ45 plugs as well as stranded.

Granted I believe you can buy RJ45 plugs suited for solid. But it is not the done thing.

I think the rule of thumb is

SOLID for fixed cabling, into patch panels, wall sockets etc

STRANDED for anything that has RJ45/RJ11 plugs on them.

 

[Biz.Kid09]

I really recommend you go the extra yard and get yourself a patch panel. My suggested real world benefits are as listed below

1) So much neater. 16 cable ends terminated with RJ45's would take up a lot of space and look unsightly if they are to be on show.
2) Cable identification. 16 cable ends will all look the same therefore it would be trial and error to connect / disconnect the cable you want. You could have course put individual labels on but as above this will just add to the mess (especially Brother tab style labels). A patch panel has numbered ports, you go round the house numbering your wall plate ports so that they correspond to the patch panel making your life easier. You could then go to the level of getting small runs of coloured cable (different colour for different room) between the panel and the switch as in my example.
3) Cable integrity. Once terminated on the patch panel you aren't really disturbing the main cable behind the wall anymore. Imagine having a single cable that runs from a wall plate > behind your wall > switch (as in your proposal) and you accidently run over the trailing end with an office chair or other kind of damage. You'd have to chop back the cable to before the point of damage and reterminate thus leaving uneven lengths etc. You could even potentially damage it to the point of entry into the network room thus leaving you with a bit of a headache.

In summary, I'd strongly suggest planning out the location of the switch and patch panel first, even if it means a delay to your project. You'll be left with a much neater and robust installation.

As was said though, if you're in a rush, leaving long ends terminated in a switch with a view to cutting them back to a patch panel at a later date is fine. A couple of hours worth of planning though will save you this extra hassle.

Hope that gives you some ideas / thoughts.

Mike

Thanks for the advice. I guess it would be better. Well i have thought about where they could go and i think i have found a good place.

Basically you walk through the front door and along the corridor is the stairs, walk up and left leads to bathroom and the 3 bedrooms.

I am thinking run the cables around the bedrooms and then drop them into the cupboard under the stairs? Here i could mount a switch/panel and the router etc?

 

[bremen1874]

Assuming there's a sensible way to route the cables a cupboard under the stairs is as good a place as any.

Make sure you check for mains outlets, and if necessary get some fitted during the rewire.

 

[Biz.Kid09]

Assuming there's a sensible way to route the cables a cupboard under the stairs is as good a place as any.

Make sure you check for mains outlets, and if necessary get some fitted during the rewire.

Well all the electrics are under there so meter etc so thats whats sticking out as it will be easier to route the cables?

I am going to get a few put in under there