1 Internet Connection for 25 Student Flats

foz2000 · 28 Oct 2011 at 12:10

I basically want 1 Internet Connection that will be sufficient for 25 Students to connect to.

I would prefer it to be wired if that will increase stability.

I would be grateful if anyone knows a reliable company that can design something along those lines and also if anyone has suggestions of what is needed specifically.

#Chri5# · 28 Oct 2011 at 12:26

What's the budget? What area? I'd expect 25 students to get through bandwidth in vast quantities...

foz2000 · 28 Oct 2011 at 12:29

Budget of about £7000.

Stoke-on-trent area.

Beerbaron · 28 Oct 2011 at 12:31

you would have to look at business broadband or even some sort of leased line for that much

foz2000 · 28 Oct 2011 at 12:35

Beerbaron said:
you would have to look at business broadband or even some sort of leased line for that much

I was more looking to know the concept of the infrastructure that would be needed.

The way I'm led to believe is that a connection could come from any company but what would be the actual setup inside the building?

Reza86 · 28 Oct 2011 at 12:43

Well any decent switch connect to a bb modem will do the job. But the connection will be slow as hell when shared between that many people and unless you go for a business line they will roll through your usage allowance in a couple of days at most.

You may just be better off forking out to have the phone lines installed and let people sort out there own bb.

I for one know that I have chosen not to live in nice/cheaper accommodation because it would tie me into some crap bb. Could just be me though.

NathanE · 28 Oct 2011 at 12:44

A 100Mbit switch in the loft (or somewhere else), with Cat5e cabling to each room, with a RJ45 faceplate on the wall.

Job done.

Orcvader · 28 Oct 2011 at 12:46

Best way is fibre to the building itself, then to a modem, which is then connected to a switch which allows you to equally share the bandwidth to each room. I would consider wiring ethernet ports to each room. Wireless would work but the student house my friend is staying in has too many students which severly makes the wireless unreliable...

Might be best to try BT Business broadband if they can offer you fibre? Should give each student enough bandwidth for their needs.

Beerbaron · 28 Oct 2011 at 12:46

Did you just want it designed or for someone to come in and install and maintain it?

foz2000 · 28 Oct 2011 at 13:03

NathanE said:
A 100Mbit switch in the loft (or somewhere else), with Cat5e cabling to each room, with a RJ45 faceplate on the wall.

Job done.

We already have something similar to this at the minute, but the internet is too slow when all users are online.

Beerbaron · 28 Oct 2011 at 13:07

what is the speed of your current internet?

foz2000 · 28 Oct 2011 at 13:10

Orcvader said:
Best way is fibre to the building itself, then to a modem, which is then connected to a switch which allows you to equally share the bandwidth to each room. I would consider wiring ethernet ports to each room. Wireless would work but the student house my friend is staying in has too many students which severly makes the wireless unreliable...

Might be best to try BT Business broadband if they can offer you fibre? Should give each student enough bandwidth for their needs.

I've spoke a company that have said the starting rate for a dedicated line (fibre) coming into the building itself but the cost if £8,000 per year. I haven't got the actual quote as of yet but it will be interesting to see if thats for a managed system.

A wired system is the way to go as wireless seems to be a problem at the moment for us.

By next year I'm hoping that there will be upto 40 flats so this might also be something to think about.

Is it as simple as: Fibre line coming into the building > connects to modem > wired to switch > connect to ethernet ports?

foz2000 · 28 Oct 2011 at 13:12

Beerbaron said:
Did you just want it designed or for someone to come in and install and maintain it?

Tbh I'm not 100% sure, once it's been installed what would be the likely problems that would require outside maintenance?

I would like both options to be explored so that I can make a better choice based on the feedback I receive.

It's only 20mb which is inadequate to say the least.

PistolPete · 28 Oct 2011 at 13:14

You'll find most connections like that are "managed" in the sense that the ISP will provide the hardware and look after it - you simply plug in your side.

You'd be best to think about structured cabling too.

randal · 28 Oct 2011 at 13:19

Alternatively, could you use something like QoS or traffic shaping on a device to maintain good throughput for everyone?

50mb cable / 25 = 2mb a person (with overheads obviously) admittedly might be a bit low, but if they're just surfing/researching and sending mail it should be enough.

Are there any stipulations as to the usage of the connection, or is it just open to use/abuse?

Orcvader · 28 Oct 2011 at 13:22

randal24 said:
50mb cable / 25 = 2mb a person (with overheads obviously) admittedly might be a bit low, but if they're just surfing/researching and sending mail it should be enough.

We students do more then that :rolleyes:

#Chri5# · 28 Oct 2011 at 13:22

but if they're just surfing/researching and sending mail it should be enough.

Students just surfing and mailing?

They'll be wanting to download the Internet via BitTorrent or newsgroups, iPlayer / Youtube in HD and the rest...

KIA · 28 Oct 2011 at 13:24

foz2000 said:
It's only 20mb which is inadequate to say the least.

20Mb ADSL/Cable/Fibre?

foz2000 · 28 Oct 2011 at 13:25

fluff said:
20Mb ADSL/Cable/Fibre?

ADSL

foz2000 · 28 Oct 2011 at 13:26

randal24 said:
Alternatively, could you use something like QoS or traffic shaping on a device to maintain good throughput for everyone?

50mb cable / 25 = 2mb a person (with overheads obviously) admittedly might be a bit low, but if they're just surfing/researching and sending mail it should be enough.

Are there any stipulations as to the usage of the connection, or is it just open to use/abuse?

I think it will be too slow tbh.