Help with routing wiring to loft

Twirlywoos · 23 Jul 2015 at 08:51

Hi

I currently have :

- hp procurve 1810g-24 j9450a (24 port switch)
- 24 Port Gigaband Cat 6 High Density Patch Panel
- Asus RT AC66U router, Huwaei modem for Plusnet internet

I want to feed 5 cat6a wires to the loft (I wanted to future proof so I am aware that I won't get 10Gigabit speeds yet and am limited to gigabit).

Should I feed 5 wires from the patch panel to the loft?

Or can I add another 6 port switch in the loft and have 1 wire feeding to the patch panel (would I still get gigabit speeds to all devices connected in the loft if I do it this way)? If I can do this which switch would you recommend? The HP switch I have even though old has served me well for donkey's years, although I can't remember if it is managed or unmanaged, so what type of switch would I need for the loft (if indeed this routing method can be done)?

Thank you

Twirlywoos · 23 Jul 2015 at 23:35

Thanks, the devices probably won't use the full bandwdith but I thought if I could get away with using one wire on a switch without the link being shared. As Breman said individual cables are preferable and whilst it's not too much hassle bringing them all under the floorboards I will go down this route.

Twirlywoos · 15 Aug 2015 at 19:34

Christ cat6a is massive, It's like double the thickness and that includes the individual wires. Punching down on the patch panel was a doddle but on the keystone jacks it was a bit fiddly. I wonder if they make a special slimmer punch down tool for cat6/a. The ebay outer sheath stripper was useless, it kept cutting into the individual wires, I just used the cutter on the ethernet crimp tool in the end which was a breeze compared to that rubbish.

Twirlywoos · 16 Aug 2015 at 01:39

bledd. said:
Cyclops cable stripper
Trendnet punchdown tool

That's what I use. And yes, cat6a is huge!

Thanks, I'll probably invest in that trendnet punch down tool, reviews look good on amazon.

Twirlywoos · 17 Aug 2015 at 10:08

Yeh I have cat6 shielded and cat6a from netstoredirect who use Connectix branded cables, they are the same thickness. I should have done more research and precise measurements as I only needed 15m lengths and cat6 unshielded would have probably done the job. Also it seems Amazon are cheaper now (100m drum ) of Wentronic branded cat6 solid core pure copper for 35 quid delivered

Twirlywoos · 19 Aug 2015 at 17:12

that trendnet punch down arrived today and it's pretty **** tbh, it doesn't cut the excess wires of at all. I'd understand if it was stranded core but my cable is solid core cat6a. It does cut it a little and I have to twist to remove the rest.

Twirlywoos · 19 Aug 2015 at 22:02

bledd. said:
Used mine for hundreds of modules, there is a knack to it. What kind of modules do you have? Make sure it's the correct head. The 110 is the one that fits CCS modules.

I am using the default one that was attached, looking at it, it's the 110 tool. I am crimping wires to these:

http://www.netstoredirect.com/cat6-...+4+Modules&results=2#/no_of_modules-4_modules

and

https://www.wadsworth.co.uk/products/24_Port_Gigaband_Cat_6_High_Density_Patch_Panel_~HT-d-7105105

Twirlywoos · 20 Aug 2015 at 13:37

I had a look in the morning at the ccs modules and they are krone type and the patch panel is 110. I will swop the fitting and see if it cuts later in the week.

Twirlywoos · 20 Aug 2015 at 17:24

bledd. said:
CCS modules are 110 type. I use them everyday.

Take the blade out and line it up against the module.

Mine is Krone type, you may use them every day but modules can be both types as I discovered recently. Mine is the same as the ones on cable monkey and looking at their specification for termination it reads: Krone Style IDC PunchDown

http://www.cablemonkey.co.uk/cat6-modules-outlets/71-cat6-utp-rj45-modules-with-faceplate.html

Twirlywoos · 6 Sep 2015 at 17:21

9 wires coming from upstairs :eek:

The other rooms including the downstairs living rooms go via another route.

Just need to get trunking now to house them in