Cat 5 cable replacement

Chanc3 · 8 Dec 2015 at 11:45

Hey all,

We've just moved office and have subsequently been given the chance to start again (technically), in terms of network wiring/equipment. The new office has Cat 5 throughout, with old manky, yellowed trucking sockets. My boss has bought a drum of Cat 6 cable (unshielded), and wants to replace the lot. Now with this new cable, am I correct in thinking that if we want to use the full potential of Cat 6, we need to have Cat 6 rated hardware, such as patch panels, wall sockets etc? I'm pretty much self taught with this sort of thing and servers/networks are not my strong point - any advice is appreciated.

drakioned · 8 Dec 2015 at 11:57

So, the tl;dr version is that it's not really worth it...

CAT6 doesn't really give you much benefit other than the potential to run 10Gb ethernet, and the switches, network cards required for that are prohibitively expensive.

m4cc45 · 8 Dec 2015 at 12:44

If you're replacing the cable then you may as well use CAT6 - I'd definitely use CAT6 rated sockets and patch panels though - the cables generally thicker as well so make sure your ducting can take it.

You're then future proofing, to a degree, and CAT5 (are you sure it's not CAT5e?) is definitely worth replacing - even if it is CAT5e I'd still be tempted to replace it if it's not in a good condition.

M.

Chanc3 · 8 Dec 2015 at 13:30

Sorry, I think I have posted this in the wrong forum, but thanks for the prompt answers.

Yes, it's definitely just CAT5 as it states it on the cable itself, plus our gigabit switch reports it as the lower speed.

We inherited some older CAT5e gear, so I think I'll stick with that, but use the CAT6 cabling for now. Will make my life easier when it comes to updating the hardware.

Now, just waiting for the buildings to finish the remodelling, then on with the 40+ sockets that need wiring! Woooooo!

Any one free in the Hampshire/West Sussex area?

drakioned · 8 Dec 2015 at 13:55

A point about the future proofing.

I wouldn't spend any extra money on cat6 patch panels and such. By all means replace the cable if it's in poor condition, but by the time 10Gb ethernet becomes readily affordable, there's a good chance that either we'll have moved onto another standard (there is already a Cat6a) or we would have switched over to fibre due to the much better energy efficiency.

Chanc3 · 8 Dec 2015 at 15:09

Well, we need to replace the sockets as they are a disgusting yellow and look horrible against our new white walls! We've gone with some CAT 6 Euro sockets as they were cheap. Next step is to sort the new trucking out - does anyone know where a good place to get that is?

Armageus · 8 Dec 2015 at 15:12

Chanc3 said:
Next step is to sort the new trucking out - does anyone know where a good place to get that is?

Screwfix?

http://www.screwfix.com/c/electrica...cm_sp=managedredirect-_-electrical-_-trunking

Chanc3 · 8 Dec 2015 at 15:17

Armageus said:
Screwfix?

http://www.screwfix.com/c/electrica...cm_sp=managedredirect-_-electrical-_-trunking

They sell dado trucking, but ideally we need skirting board style trunking? Such a thing?

EDIT: They do seem to sell it, but it looks cheap! Will have to keep looking

drakioned · 8 Dec 2015 at 15:52

DLine do some nice trunking that looks like an extension of the skirting board

bledd · 8 Dec 2015 at 17:51

In an office, use dado trunking, especially if it's cat6. You don't want to be wrestling with cat6 is 'normal' trunking.

Stick to Excel or CCS modules/patch panels/cable. They're both a great product. Don't buy any old cheap crap, Excel and CCS are priced very well already.

Label cables/modules religiously. Ultra-fine black Sharpie marker is your friend when running cables.

Caged · 8 Dec 2015 at 20:43

Chanc3 said:
Well, we need to replace the sockets as they are a disgusting yellow and look horrible against our new white walls! We've gone with some CAT 6 Euro sockets as they were cheap. Next step is to sort the new trucking out - does anyone know where a good place to get that is?

Any electrical wholesaler will do dado trunking.

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Trunking_Pvc_Index/Dado_Trunking/index.html

nutcase · 8 Dec 2015 at 21:20

Marshall tufflex Profile 1 is the trunking to have if you have the room.

Deleted member 77746 · 8 Dec 2015 at 22:32

I'm putting 48 points in shortly at one of our new units. Don't need much but got some Cisco switches to sort out for it tomorrow.

Liquidfox · 8 Dec 2015 at 23:02

If you're planning on doing the installation yourself I'd stick with Cat5. Our cabling guy hates having to work with full Cat6 standard.

Caged · 8 Dec 2015 at 23:15

mrbell1984 said:
I'm putting 48 points in shortly at one of our new units. Don't need much but got some Cisco switches to sort out for it tomorrow.

What job do you do where you have to install network points and also manage the switches?

paradigm · 9 Dec 2015 at 07:51

Caged said:
What job do you do where you have to install network points and also manage the switches?

At a guess, a one man bad for a (very small) SME.

nutcase · 9 Dec 2015 at 08:31

Caged said:
What job do you do where you have to install network points and also manage the switches?

Similar one to mine probably - jack of all trades. Although for major projects like that I usually manage to persuade them to get a cabling company in for at least some of it.

Caged · 9 Dec 2015 at 21:42

paradigm said:
At a guess, a one man bad for a (very small) SME.

I was just a bit thrown that someone is working with Cisco switches (assuming Catalyst) and also the cable pulling guy. Normally if it's a small organisation you wouldn't expect to see real switches.

Chanc3 · 10 Dec 2015 at 12:22

Thanks guys, I've got my minions pulling cables through the plasterboard as we speak!

Deleted member 77746 · 17 Dec 2015 at 11:09

Caged said:
What job do you do where you have to install network points and also manage the switches?

an IT Job. I'm Technical Manager and it saves money by doing it myself! A LOT of money! It's not a huge company so it's logic for me to do it cos I can. I look after about 8 units. I do have minions but they can't do much of the network side.