Associate
- Joined
- 30 Dec 2021
- Posts
- 19
- Location
- UK
Hi all,
First off, thanks for the Home Network FAQ - this was very helpful.
Having decided that I want to have a mixture of both WiFi and Ethernet I'm currently at the planning stage for the implementation of the ethernet side of things. A rough outline is as follows:
* Usage: 2 individuals working from home (1 desktop upstairs, 1 laptop downstairs, 1 printer), SKY Q (with 1 mini-box upstairs), PS4, multiple TVs, tablets, and mobiles.
* WAN connection: FTTP (SKY Ultrafast +)
* Plan: The ONT is in the lounge, together with the SKY router. I would like to run ethernet cable from the router up to a switch in the loft and then have ethernet running to various outlets around the house (4 behind the TV/AV corner in the lounge, 2 in the dining room where the laptop user works, 2 (maybe 4) in the upstairs study where the desktop user works and the printer is located, 2 in the bedroom with the SKY Q mini-box and TV, and 2 in another main bedroom (just because, well, if I'm going to do it!), all terminating in a patch panel.
* Wiring: The house has interior walls that are of plasterboard construction so I'm hoping the cable can be run 'in' the walls where possible - although for the lounge I am considering trying to make use of the coax installation on an outside wall.
* Materials: I'm looking to use CAT6 cable, a 24 port patch panel, and 24 port switch.
OK, on to the questions (you knew that there would be questions didn't you?!)
1. As with most things, I suspect that better quality materials are more expensive. My first question is, for a simple home network set-up what sort of price should I be thinking about for materials? I've seen that a number of posters recommend materials from Kenable - are they a reasonable bet for my purposes?
2. With regard to patch panels, I've read comments (and watched videos) from a number of people who recommend the panels where you use jacks as this makes things easier to maintain. However, others imply that the connections aren't as reliable using this approach. Is there a consensus here on the forum as to which approach is preferred?
3. I'm tempted to add a NAS at some stage. What sort of things do I need to take into consideration when acquiring one? Given that it will probably be in the loft (although I may put it in the study) are temperature fluctuations a consideration? (I'm based in the UK).
4. Is a cabinet necessary/advisable or can I safely wall mount / add some DIY racking?
5. And a final catch-all - are there any glaring errors in what I am proposing? Would you do anything differently?
Many thanks,
Richie
First off, thanks for the Home Network FAQ - this was very helpful.
Having decided that I want to have a mixture of both WiFi and Ethernet I'm currently at the planning stage for the implementation of the ethernet side of things. A rough outline is as follows:
* Usage: 2 individuals working from home (1 desktop upstairs, 1 laptop downstairs, 1 printer), SKY Q (with 1 mini-box upstairs), PS4, multiple TVs, tablets, and mobiles.
* WAN connection: FTTP (SKY Ultrafast +)
* Plan: The ONT is in the lounge, together with the SKY router. I would like to run ethernet cable from the router up to a switch in the loft and then have ethernet running to various outlets around the house (4 behind the TV/AV corner in the lounge, 2 in the dining room where the laptop user works, 2 (maybe 4) in the upstairs study where the desktop user works and the printer is located, 2 in the bedroom with the SKY Q mini-box and TV, and 2 in another main bedroom (just because, well, if I'm going to do it!), all terminating in a patch panel.
* Wiring: The house has interior walls that are of plasterboard construction so I'm hoping the cable can be run 'in' the walls where possible - although for the lounge I am considering trying to make use of the coax installation on an outside wall.
* Materials: I'm looking to use CAT6 cable, a 24 port patch panel, and 24 port switch.
OK, on to the questions (you knew that there would be questions didn't you?!)
1. As with most things, I suspect that better quality materials are more expensive. My first question is, for a simple home network set-up what sort of price should I be thinking about for materials? I've seen that a number of posters recommend materials from Kenable - are they a reasonable bet for my purposes?
2. With regard to patch panels, I've read comments (and watched videos) from a number of people who recommend the panels where you use jacks as this makes things easier to maintain. However, others imply that the connections aren't as reliable using this approach. Is there a consensus here on the forum as to which approach is preferred?
3. I'm tempted to add a NAS at some stage. What sort of things do I need to take into consideration when acquiring one? Given that it will probably be in the loft (although I may put it in the study) are temperature fluctuations a consideration? (I'm based in the UK).
4. Is a cabinet necessary/advisable or can I safely wall mount / add some DIY racking?
5. And a final catch-all - are there any glaring errors in what I am proposing? Would you do anything differently?
Many thanks,
Richie
Seriously though, I'm going to ensure there is nothing combustible anywhere near the patch panel and switch installation.
Not as big as that cable size suggests!