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

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

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

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