Home Networking Help

divuk83 · 3 Nov 2011 at 20:38

Few quick and probably very basic questions on networking my new house;

The plan is to use cat5e (good enough for what I need and easier to wire) and have numerous wall sockets round the house all connected to a patch panel located somewhere in the house with a switch and my router as well. I have seen some fairly cheap wall mounts for the patch panel and will just sit my router next to it hidden away in a cupboard. What kind of cat5e should I be using for between the wall sockets and the patch panel? If anyone else has any experience/wisdom they have gained from past experience I would be greatful!

In terms of tools I have wire strippers/cutters and a punch for wiring sockets, will I need any other tools? Will a cheapo socket tester be of any use?

Cheers

Dave

bremen1874 · 3 Nov 2011 at 22:53

Solid core.

Zarf · 4 Nov 2011 at 00:19

If it's a new build I'd get some proper networking contractors in so they can do the place out in Cat6 and certify it. Probably cost you a grand or two but it'd be worth it in the long run.

divuk83 · 4 Nov 2011 at 01:15

Its not a new build and I would like to keep the budget down a fair bit below a grand! Cat5e should do what I need it too, I think cat6 might be overkill even for the near future.

Dave

bremen1874 · 4 Nov 2011 at 01:33

For straight networking I can't see any benefit of Cat6 over Cat5e.

If you think may want to use the same cabling for sending video data then Cat6 would be better.

divuk83 · 7 Nov 2011 at 14:13

Looking at getting a reel of "Belkin Cat5e Solid UTP Bulk Cable, Grey 75m" cheap from the rainforest store. Will this be the right stuff, whats the difference/benefit of UTP/FTP/STP cat5?

Cheers

Dave

sidethink · 7 Nov 2011 at 14:30

That cable spec will likely be fine but 75m isnt very much. You will need to route cables around bends etc and for most typical multi point households you'll need the guts of a full box (330m) or more.

divuk83 · 7 Nov 2011 at 15:01

I was hoping to get away with it as its only a small bungalow with easy loft access for routing cables. I think there will be 2 quad sockets and 1 double over 3 rooms (don't need it in kitchen or the bathroom!) and I will have it connected to a patch panel hidden away somewhere. I'm hoping to get away with a smaller reel but I can see me needing perhaps 2 of the 75m rolls as I think you might be right!

Thanks for your help.

Dave