Home network using external CAT6 - thoughts

Naan_H · 12 Nov 2016 at 11:29

Hi all,

i recently moved into my new house, and had some redecorating done before moving in. All walls painted, carpets laid, new bathroom etc. I only moved in after the work was finished.

What i have since realised is that the wiring i have is not great for Homeplugs (which i have used without problem before in our old place).

I'm therefore looking to run CAT6 to all rooms without lifting up the carpets and floorboards etc.

I have sought the advice of an aerial installer who also does networks too (I will need the aerials and sat connections sorted out too in the rooms).

He has suggested going externally to most of the rooms and into the loft too to run the cables. These will terminate into our hallway cupboard to a patch panel(his suggestion - i was thinking of just having a switch). This is a central location and he will also move the master socket from the front door to this cupboard too. I intend to get Virgin too so need a suitable network - if the network is in place im quite happy to have this installed at the main tv only and not necessarily with the hub/patch panel.

Do his suggestions sound appropriate? is there anything i should be aware of? Should i be considering running some cable for CCTV too while im at it?

bledd · 12 Nov 2016 at 12:38

The guy sounds like he's got you covered. Going to a patch panel is by far the best solution. This way there's zero stress on the ends of the cables. Then from the patch panel to switch, use 30cm pre made patch leads. They'll be around 1pound each.

http://www.netstoredirect.com/rj45-...tch-cables.html#/15-color-grey/25-length-0_3m

I'd ask him to use CCS or Excel branded cable/modules/patch panel.

Both great

thenewoc · 12 Nov 2016 at 13:13

The main issue with going external is you don't have the same control over the physical security of your network as you do with it being internal.

Twirlywoos · 12 Nov 2016 at 13:25

Aerial guy has given good advice imo especially using a patch panel which cost peanuts.

I assume that the cabling is going to be housed in some kind of external conduit.

bremen1874 · 12 Nov 2016 at 13:45

No need for conduit with external grade cable.

I'd question having the entire house networked externally, but only on cosmetic grounds.

Naan_H · 12 Nov 2016 at 14:26

Im waiting for him to give a rough quote and take it from there. He says he hates having lots of external cables visible but will try and run everything with the satellite cable to keep everything together. It will be routed to the loft area and back down into the cupboard. I already have the alarm in this cupboard so will have this next to it. at least this way i dont have any cables running through the house and affecting all the decorated work.

Bickaxe · 12 Nov 2016 at 15:05

Just done mine (3 beds, Lounge, Diner and room at end of garden) and having to route it all under floorboards as my missus didn't want any exposed cables (solid walls too). It took me just 3 days (redecorating before moving in) alongside doing other bits and pieces.

Would have much preferred going into the loft and running the cables through conduit even in rooms as it would have been much quicker.
Get the cable to match the external colour of the house to hide it as much as possible.
I used NetstoreDirect and CommsExpress

Naan_H · 13 Nov 2016 at 22:34

Thanks for the comments guys.

I did have a question - if i cant get VM to install the modem to the central location with the patch panel/switch, and only by the tv in the lounge for example, if i had their router plugged in by the tv to the existing CAT 6 network, would it be able to provide internet to the other network points in the house?

DragonQ · 13 Nov 2016 at 22:40

bledd said:
The guy sounds like he's got you covered. Going to a patch panel is by far the best solution. This way there's zero stress on the ends of the cables. Then from the patch panel to switch, use 30cm pre made patch leads. They'll be around 1pound each.

http://www.netstoredirect.com/rj45-...tch-cables.html#/15-color-grey/25-length-0_3m

I'd ask him to use CCS or Excel branded cable/modules/patch panel.

Both great

30 cm? I use 10 cm and 20 cm cables, although my patch panel and switch are next to each other in my wall bracket rack.

bremen1874 · 13 Nov 2016 at 23:54

Naan_H said:
Thanks for the comments guys.

I did have a question - if i cant get VM to install the modem to the central location with the patch panel/switch, and only by the tv in the lounge for example, if i had their router plugged in by the tv to the existing CAT 6 network, would it be able to provide internet to the other network points in the house?

Yes. You just need a single Ethernet connection between the Virgin hub and your network switch. The actual physical location of the two devices won't matter.