Hardwired Home Network

BUDFORCE

BUDFORCE

BUDFORCE

Soldato
Joined
3 May 2012
Posts
10,848
Location
Wetherspoons
Hi guys,

I am planning on getting FTTP and also upgrade the network by running ethernet cables to all main devices.

I have made a diagram of what I plan to have (I think) the actually cable routing/wiring I am perfectly fine with, what I am after is some advice on some of the hardware and setting it up.

So:

Network.png


1. Fibre Modem
2. Fritzbox Router
3. HTPC
4. Work Laptop
5. Network switch???????????????
6. Wall socket for ethernet???????
7. Desktop PC
8. Desktop PC
9. Work Laptop
10. Desktop PC
11. CCTV

The devices dont need to see each other, this is purely for internet access, with the exception of 10 and 11, which ideally should be able to see each other because I control the CCTV through that PC. (currently they are both just plugged straight into the router and it works fine)

Basically, the way I am planning on wiring it, is the connections going to 7 & 8 (through both 6s) are going through external walls on the house, so I want to put a socket on the inside of the wall you can then just plug a normal ethernet cable in.

What I need help with is any recommendations on what cable to use? Recommendations on wall sockets, and also a for a network switch? Ideally the less manual setting up the better, plug and play preferred I am terrible at networking, struggled with it at school.

So example, the network switch, do you just plug everything in and it works or do you need to login into it etc?

I am not against spending for good cables, the majority will need to be external grade also. I can get seperate power to the Network switch also.
 
Ok thanks guys, shows what I know, I was expecting just to buy ready made cables, as in, with the connectors on both ends already.

I was wondering how you "plug in" the cable to the rear side of the face plates lol.

The drilling through walls etc I'm fine with, I've already installed analogue CCTV so routing through the loft and soffets etc, I'll be able to use a lot of what is there. It's the more I technical side I (as you can probably tell) don't have a clue about.

So I will need a crimping tool then and connector ends, I'm assuming you can crimp on a "normal" connector onto a cable so you can plug it into your PC.

I guess for the few bits that don't go outside: eg face plate to device I could just use a regular pre made cable.

An 8 port switch will be more then enough.
 
dLockers said:
Terminating the ends can be a bit of an art to get your head around. There are probably a decent number of YouTube videos. I've probably done a few thousand in my life and I still smile when I get them bang on :cry:

The face plates are generally a punch down tool.
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Hi,

Sorry slightly old thread revival but it was the middle of winter and wanted to wait for the weather to get better before doing this, as part of it is being outside on ladders etc

So, crimping the connectors onto the cables, you need a crimping tool, fine, I can figure that bit no problem.

But the face plates, as you mentioned you need a "punch down" tool, could you link such a thing and are they compatible with most face plates etc? I am also aware you can get face plates that have a female to female connector (eg plug in the back) so just wondering for the sake of only doing a few of these, would it just be worth getting these?
 
Sparx said:
I agree with earlier posts and it could make sense to put a patch panel in with the switch where #5 is, but depends where the modem/router and switch is all being located? If it's all together it might not make sense to put a patch panel in and just have a switch. Entirely your choice a patch panel can often help neaten thinhgs up. Then you do the following runs into Cat6 wall plates to connect any devices into (apart from the CCTV obviously).

I don't see any problems with linking these as OcUK don't sell them AFAIK (if I'm wrong mods let me know and I'll remove links). If you want a nice little kit, something like this would be ideal - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Network-Preciva-Ethernet-Computer-Maintenance/dp/B08DTVQS4K/

Then grab the easy RJ45 connectors, makes terminating much easier - https://www.amazon.co.uk/VCE-50-Pac...g-50u-50-Pack-End-Pass-Through/dp/B07MM3FQ3F/

Cable wise, if you're doing any runs outdoors then I'd definitely get external rated Cat6 cable. If the runs are being done internally through walls joists etc then internal cable will be fine for that. Always get proper copper (not CCA) type cable. Kenable are a reputable retailer, also sell the faceplates cheaper than the rainforest place.

Indoors - https://www.kenable.co.uk/en/networ...work-cable-reel-50m-008537-5055383485376.html
Outdoors - https://www.kenable.co.uk/en/networ...-reel-utp-50m-black-008536-5055383485369.html
Faceplates - https://www.kenable.co.uk/en/251-network-face-plates-modules
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Really useful post thank you.

The network switch is going in the loft, so wont need face plates for that, the cables will run up into the loft and I'll just terminate those with an RJ45 connector and plug straight into the switch. It doesnt matter if it looks a bit rubbish, plus actually being in the loft there literally isnt anything to sit a face plate into anyway. Ill probably just mount the switch on the gable end up there, tac the cables to the wall to make it look neat. Nothing is going to get moved around once its up there.

My main office room already has a small hole in the ceiling into the loft where I have run the CCTV cables up and out, and in my office room is my main PC, work laptop (and the CCTV) I will literally just run the 3 cables down into the room. There is already a cable running round this office room anyway, and its a tiny room, so literally wont bother with a faceplate as it doesnt need to be neat. The existing hole is also probably big enough so I can just run pre-made patch cables through, infact almost certainly will.

The next one will come down where a coax TV aerial cable comes through into a built in wardrobe into one of the bedrooms, which will then go through the plasterboard wall into one of the kids bedrooms on the opposite side, that will probably get terminated with a faceplate.

The main cable up from the router, the bottom end will likely have a faceplate, that is the only part I am not sure about because to get the FTTP install done, they will need to install a physical cable from the street into the house, and I have no idea where the engineer will terminate that, I am guessing it'll be right next to the existing phone line. But ill sort that bit.

So likely only actually need a couple of face plates, and maybe only one hole drilled through the external wall next to the router where the cable will run out and up the side of the house into the loft.

But yea, reckon I have got this figured out now, in my head at least.
 
redstar1 said:
You go keystone? It's been a few years since I did physical networking for work and it was just punchdown on both ends. Interested in making it as easy as possible for myself but struggling to decipher the bits needed myself...
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RJ45 Face Plate Wall Sockets Cat6 Single 1 Port with Keystones Jacks

So yes I guess so, looking at it you just punch down at the back, there is a little colour code on the back.

I'm no expert I've never done it before.

 
I'm not having any issues so far.

Started doing this, in bits, no real rush as the FTTP isn't going in until Thursday but I've done a face plate and RJ45 termination, and checked with a cable tester and fine.

I ended up getting one of those kits £20 from Amazon with all the bits in, the crimping tool was a bit meh, but to be fair worked, the punch down tool was pretty good.

I'm really hoping you have some flexibility with where they install the main fibre socket/modem inlet when openreach come, from what I've read they normally try to accommodate and the place I could ideally have it is right at the front corner of the house downstairs, so easy place to get to.
 
jokerguv said:
Regarding the crimper tool, I'd suggest having a look at the "pass-through" crimper tool and RJ45 plugs rather than the usual crimper and plugs. This is because when I was doing this I did not have a great experience in getting crimps right with the usual tool. It took me several tries to get cables right and even then some connections reverted to 100Mbps from 1Gpbs after some time, indicating a bad/loose crimp.

I thought I'd get better at this with time but after much hassle just went on with the pass-through tools. Life's so much easier now, all crimps good on the first attempt. Admittedly this is just my personal experience, nothing wrong with usual crimping. I know some people are very good at that and their result is always spot on.
Click to expand...

I'd agree with this, so far 100% success rate with the pass through type connectors, I tried one with the plastic block and only 7 out of 8 tested on the cable tester.
 
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