Possible to extend multiple individual cat 6 runs using a switch?

MrM

MrM

MrM

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I am after some advice regarding network cable runs.

My home setup currently includes an AV distribution hub using cat 6 cable to multiple rooms, as well as an NVR connected to a number of security cameras. All the hardware is currently contained in the house.

I am doing some renovation which includes a home office being built outside which will require network connectivity. I am having some service pipes installed so I can route cables between the house and office. It would be convenient to site all the hardware above in the office.

As such I would likely have need for up to 12 runs of cable running through the service pipe (approx. 5 for cameras and 5 for TV distribution, plus a couple of general connectivity). Given the cameras and TV kit is powered via POE and run point to point I believe I will need to maintain the individual runs, I cant see an easy way around it.

At the moment, all the cables terminate in a cupboard in the house. Should I wish to site the hardware in the new office, I would need to extend the runs of each individual cable, with POE pass through and retain the 1:1 mapping of each run. I am not an expert on networking, but should a switch be able to perform this function for me? If so, how does the mapping work? For example say I want to extend cable A. I plug cable A into port 1 on the switch. Can I configure the switch such that port 2 is the dedicated "out" for cable A which I can then send on to the office, so the switch is acting as an extender via ports 1 and 2? Hope that makes sense.

Any advice greatly appreciated.
 
If I'm understanding you correctly, you could probably get away with an L2 unmanaged switch. If they require PoE then a PoE L2 unmanaged switch, but these can be expensive.

Couplers are your best bet, as above, depending on distance. If you're running Cat6 cable, then as long as your runs are <100metres you're going to be fine.
 
The punchdown couplers (rather than the ones that accept 2 rj45s) are your best bet for something reliable, but you will still need 12 of them so potentially will look a mess.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cat-5e-I...oupler-Joiner-Cat5-RJ45-Ethernet/132794971822


The only way to extend as you propose with a switch would be to use something like VLANs, putting 2 ports in each separate VLAN - this is a bad idea imo, and much better to join the cables as above, or if possible better option would be to rerun them entirely.
 
Noted, thanks all. Im embarrassed I didn't think of that.

I guess a patch panel could be an option? Would that allow for POE pass through?
 
Think @MrM means that in the cupboard where the cables finish now, chop the ends off and terminate them in a patch panel then run 12 cables out from that to the office. In effect using the patch panel as a neat 'coupler' of 12 cables. I'd assume as long as all the wires are correctly attached then PoE shouldn't be a problem but I'm not an expert in such matters.
 
MrM said:
All my cables are currently terminated in RJ45s. If I were instead to terminate to a patch panel like below, could I simply add another run of cable between the patch port and the device?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ocuk...r-rackmount-cabinets-ut-899248-nw-037-ok.html
Click to expand...

Yes.

The best bet is to install a patch panel in the cupboard and another in your new location and connect them together with new cable runs. Then plug your existing RJ45 terminated cables into the first patch panel.
 
Yep, you could terminate the current cables to the back of the patch panel and then use the fronts to connect the new runs to.

Or as Bremen says would be neater and slightly better.
 
The currently terminated cables in the cupboard lead to a variety of things. Some Ethernet sockets in the wall, others to a security camera. Having them terminated in a patch panel would enable me to switch data and TV services to various rooms should I need to, and would be more convenient than fiddling around with couplers.

Think I'm there, thanks guys.
 
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