Ethernet cables

the-evaluator · 19 Apr 2021 at 12:30

What sort of connection are Sky arranging for you? Is it FTTC (delivered over a copper cable and terminated in a normal UK telephone socket) or FTTP (delivered over fibre and terminated in an ONT)?

Joey44 · 19 Apr 2021 at 12:45

the-evaluator said:
What sort of connection are Sky arranging for you? Is it FTTC (delivered over a copper cable and terminated in a normal UK telephone socket) or FTTP (delivered over fibre and terminated in an ONT)?

Hi, thanks for replying! It's Sky Superfast Broadband, s~~o I'm guessing that's FTTP? Openreach says FTTP is available at my address, so I guess a new connection would be that?~~ Edit: Actually think it's still just FTTC in my area looking at the OpenReach site.

pepp77 · 19 Apr 2021 at 13:05

Neither a Cat6 or Cat5e cable would really help as the BT socket will be an RJ11 connector and the cat5/6 cable would be RJ45.

You either need to put the router next to the master socket and then use the cat5/6 cable to route to a switch or device not in the loft, or you would basically want one of these running from the socket to the router downstairs.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PCSL-Cable-Modem-Broadband-Connections/dp/B003JOJSJS

Personally I would stick the router in the loft, turn off the wifi on it, then run a cat5/6 cable to a dedicated WAP elsewhere in the property.

Joey44 · 19 Apr 2021 at 13:15

pepp77 said:
Neither a Cat6 or Cat5e cable would really help as the BT socket will be an RJ11 connector and the cat5/6 cable would be RJ45.

You either need to put the router next to the master socket and then use the cat5/6 cable to route to a switch or device not in the loft, or you would basically want one of these running from the socket to the router downstairs.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PCSL-Cable-Modem-Broadband-Connections/dp/B003JOJSJS

Personally I would stick the router in the loft, turn off the wifi on it, then run a cat5/6 cable to a dedicated WAP elsewhere in the property.

Thanks so much for replying! The reason I wanted the router downstairs and not in the loft is because the builders have already put in place some cabling to connect the router to other devices (tv in spare room for example) so we get a good connection. But, if we did what you suggest and put the router in the loft and run a Cat 6 cable to a WAP downstairs, could we then just plug the cables the builders have already wired, in to the WAP? And also, would my smart tv then connect to the internet wirelessly via the WAP? Apologies if I'm asking silly questions or have everything wrong, I really know nothing about all this! Thank you!

pepp77 · 19 Apr 2021 at 13:27

In that case I would put the router in the loft, and then buy a switch to stick where you had planned to put the router. Run a cable from router to switch, then the WAP and your other devices can be cabled to the switch and the TV and other wireless devices just connect to the WAP.

Joey44 · 19 Apr 2021 at 13:33

pepp77 said:
In that case I would put the router in the loft, and then buy a switch to stick where you had planned to put the router. Run a cable from router to switch, then the WAP and your other devices can be cabled to the switch and the TV and other wireless devices just connect to the WAP.

Super helpful, thank you! So is that a Cat 6 cable from router to switch, and from the switch to the WAP? And do I still turn the Wifi off on the router? Also, is there a particular internet switch i need to be looking at or will any do? Really appreciate you taking the time to respond, you have no idea how long I've spent on the internet trying to figure all this out, thank you!

pepp77 · 19 Apr 2021 at 14:43

Yes, cable from router to switch and then one from switch to WAP. Yes turn off wifi on router (you could leave it on but based on your knowledge it is easier to turn it off than play with multiple SSIDs)

Really any switch that is gigabit will do - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/tp-link-8-port-gigabit-desktop-switch-tl-sg1008d-v8-nw-175-tp.html - as an example.

We could complicate it further and look at POE etc (https://www.overclockers.co.uk/tp-l...-l4-gigabit-ethernet-10-100-10-nw-219-tp.html). This would be useful if the WAP you pick can be powered by POE, but if it can be locally powered easily enough then the non POE switch cost savings make perfect sense.

Joey44 · 19 Apr 2021 at 15:30

pepp77 said:
Yes, cable from router to switch and then one from switch to WAP. Yes turn off wifi on router (you could leave it on but based on your knowledge it is easier to turn it off than play with multiple SSIDs)

Really any switch that is gigabit will do - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/tp-link-8-port-gigabit-desktop-switch-tl-sg1008d-v8-nw-175-tp.html - as an example.

We could complicate it further and look at POE etc (https://www.overclockers.co.uk/tp-l...-l4-gigabit-ethernet-10-100-10-nw-219-tp.html). This would be useful if the WAP you pick can be powered by POE, but if it can be locally powered easily enough then the non POE switch cost savings make perfect sense.

Thank you so much for your time and patience!