Home network planning advice needed

MikeB

MikeB

MikeB

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23 May 2006
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Currently have a 16 port GB switch in the loft and 4 cables running down to the lounge, in the lounge I have approx 8 devices that could use ethernet but not enough cables, my router and modem are also in the lounge where there is a direct feed to my mesh network

This is a mini project, I am going to buy a 9u cabinet, use cat 6 cables through, resite Nas, modem, router etc in cab

Which of the following options make sense:
A) cut into BT line into house that is in loft, install master from it run modem & router in data cabinet alongside new 24 port switch I will buy, drop 12 cables through recess into lounge for full ethernet

B) same as above but just drop two cables into lounge and re use old loft switch in lounge av unit instead of dropping 12 cables

Lounge currently has TV, soundbar, mesh WiFi, PS4, fire TV, Xbox one x, hue hub, hive hub that could all be wired
 
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Cutting up the BT line is obviously not allowed, but possible.

Are you intending to site the cabinet and equipment in the loft? I certainly wouldn't be putting a NAS in mine given the temperatures it often sees in the summer.

Given the nature of the devices, you aren't going to see much of a performance benefit by running a dozen cables.
 
Aware the btline thing is 'questionable' but very doable, don't use a landline and would like to remove the router (wi fi is perma off in router) and modem clutter from lounge

Re the temp, my.loft is one of three (chalet bungalow) , had a server running in it for 5 years previous with no issues so should be good

So linking the switches should be fine?, I am only on a 40mbit connection so no danger of that swamping anything
 
Linking the switches will create a bottleneck, but it's a bottleneck you'll almost certainly never notice.

You mention dropping two cables. Don't link switches together with more than one cable unless they're managed and you've configured them to expect multiple links.

Aware the btline thing is 'questionable' but very doable, don't use a landline and would like to remove the router (wi fi is perma off in router) and modem clutter from lounge
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I'd retask one of your network cables to the loft to act as a phone extension. Those few extra metres of cable will make no noticeable difference to the sync speed.
 
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Cheers, the two cables are for redundancy only

Hmm interesting thought on the phone wire, I could try a 10 metre rj11 lead and use that from the socket to the modem
 
Problem I have is that the master is on wrong side of the room, so I already have an RJ11 extension hidden behind skirting board to where av unit is, so, I'd need another RJ11 extender into that, or could go back to plan A and wire a new master in the loft from where the BT line comes into house

Thanks for help so far
 
MikeB said:
Currently have a 16 port GB switch in the loft and 4 cables running down to the lounge, in the lounge I have approx 8 devices that could use ethernet but not enough cables,
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I have a similar issue. I just put a switch behind the TV. It provides gigabit ethernet to the TV, the DVR, the BD player, the Amazon box, and so on.
 
MikeB said:
Problem I have is that the master is on wrong side of the room, so I already have an RJ11 extension hidden behind skirting board to where av unit is, so, I'd need another RJ11 extender into that, or could go back to plan A and wire a new master in the loft from where the BT line comes into house

Thanks for help so far
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If that’s the case you may be better off moving the socket. I’d only do it if you can leave yourself with the option of easily returning it to how it was.

If you do move it you’ve just got to accept the consequences in the unlikely event that BT notices and gets upset.
 
I was going to cut into the wire and use a junction box for my new feed (BT80B), if BT show up reconnect original wire to junction box, jobs a good un and all that
 
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What’s the endgame here? A 9U rack or comms cabinet + a new rack-mount switch doesn’t give you any obvious tangible benefit vs just putting a switch on the end of your existing drop as non of the devices you mention have obvious high bandwidth requirements vs. time/money/agro.

If the objective is space (eg move everything to the loft), skip the rack, modem/router/NAS would only sit on a rack shelf anyway taking up 2-3U, another 1U for the switch, and 5U spare, if you have a longer term plan then it may make sense to include it to get better advice.
 
Doing it because I can to be honest, like the idea of a cabinet out of the way, come what may I need more ethernet in the lounge and existing 16 port switch is maxxed out
 
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