Putting Ethernet throughout the house - advice please!

Pickers · 26 Jan 2019 at 22:00

Hi guys, with a small home improvement project looming I wanted to run some cable around the house and put in some rj45 sockets in key places to lessen WiFi load.

Is it worth getting cat 7, or is this overkill? I cant seem to find wall plates for cat 7 anyway?

I have a homehub 5.0 and an 8 port switch. I assume I have to put plugs on one end of the cables where the hub/switch will be, then cables disappear under the floor etc, and then chase them into walls and wall plates in desired locations.

Any advice gratefully received! Also, please ask questions because I'm.not sure how clear I have been!

DeanT77 · 26 Jan 2019 at 22:18

Have you thought about using homeplugs as opposed to running cable?

bremen1874 · 26 Jan 2019 at 22:52

If you're willing to go to the effort of running cables then do it.

As above don't underestimate the number of outlets you'll want long term.

Cat5e UTP or Cat6 UTP will be fine, I'd tend towards Cat6 as the cost difference is minimal. Use decent cable and accessories, Excel and Connectix are both safe bets.

There have been many similar threads on this forum so look back at some of those if you can.

Pickers · 27 Jan 2019 at 07:36

Thanks for the input guys. I admit I didn't see the benefit of a panel, but actually it makes sense now... I'll try and find some.inspiration of how to get a panel fixed to a wall that is not intrusive!

As for home plugs - I have one pair but it's very limiting!

Pickers · 27 Jan 2019 at 17:25

Right - new question.

I have a BT homehub 5 which goes straight into master socket via DSL cable. Thing is, it's not where it's most convenient. Would a longer DSL cable under the floor (up to 3-5m to where the network switch and potential patch panel will be) degrade the broadband signal or do you guys think this would be minimal? I can always just leave the hub by the master socket, but then I have unused ethernet ports going to waste!

bremen1874 · 27 Jan 2019 at 17:29

Done properly it'll make very little difference. If your master socket has an internal filter you can hardwire the extension (Cat5e or CW1803) to the provided IDC terminals.

You can try it with a longer cable before you go to the trouble of running it under the floor.

Pickers · 27 Jan 2019 at 17:33

bremen1874 said:
Done properly it'll make very little difference. If your master socket has an internal filter you can hardwire the extension (Cat5e or CW1803) to the provided IDC terminals.

You can try it with a longer cable before you go to the trouble of running it under the floor.

The master socket is one with the internal filter (it's got the phone line and DSL socket). I'm intrigued about wiring a cat 5e (or 6??) But isn't that tampering with BT stuff? And then I'd need to turn it back to a DSL where the hub is...

bremen1874 · 27 Jan 2019 at 17:40

The terminals you use are on your side of the socket. They are part of the removable section that exposes the test port.

At the other end you can connect an RJ45 socket. An RJ11 fits into an RJ45.

Pickers · 27 Jan 2019 at 17:45

bremen1874 said:
At the other end you can connect an RJ45 socket. An RJ11 fits into an RJ45.

Sorry I'm sure I'm being dumb here - so an rj11 DSL cable will plug into a rj45 socket connected via cat6 to master socket faceplate?

Or is that unnecesary faff? Lol

bremen1874 · 27 Jan 2019 at 17:50

You take a length of solid core cable (usually Cat5e or CW1308, Cat6 might be too thick) and connect one pair to the terminals in the socket.

At the other end you can connect it to an RJ11 or RJ45 socket, or alternatively crimp a RJ11 plug on.

APM · 28 Jan 2019 at 16:05

This is the best thing you can do,you'll be loving the result for years to come,good luck!

Quartz · 28 Jan 2019 at 16:49

Make sure you use Cat 6 or better - you'll be wanting 10G ethernet sooner rather than later and it's best to do it right the first time.

Pickers · 28 Jan 2019 at 17:49

So having thought this through I'm looking at

DSL patch cable cat5e (4m) with rj11 plug from master socket to other side of room and rj11 plug into homehub 5
Then connecting Hub to local desktop and server and pi-hole and then with 4th port, connect to unmanaged switch.
Switch to 24port patch panel with following cat6 cable runs...
4 runs to a 4 port faceplate in lounge (4x10m)
2 runs to each of 3 bedrooms (2 port faceplate in each) (4x5m, 2x8m)
2 runs out to garage (2x8m)
Maybe 2 runs to kitchen (2x3m)

So I guess I'll need a 100m spool... I've overestimated lengths cos *** happens!
To be honest I can only see me making use of 2 ports in the lounge.. but as kids grow, I figure bedrooms might benefit from networking... At least I can future proof.

Shopping list:-
100m cat6
A small length of cat5e (or simply a long DSL cable)
Cat 6 patch panel (24port)
Wall mount frame (1U)
4 port cat6 wall plate
5x 2port cat 6 wall plate.

What am I missing? I'm afraid I've planned something too expensive to be honest, considering I'm only using 2 runs (TV and sky box)!

Quartz · 28 Jan 2019 at 18:09

Add some 1mm wire string for pull threads for when you want to replace cables. Those cable lengths seem a tad optimistic, but you're quite right to double up.

You might consider more ports for the lounge. Apart from the 4 by the TV (have a switch there too), you might have a pair in another corner

Pickers · 28 Jan 2019 at 18:17

It's a small bungalow with loft conversion planned so distances are not massive really...
As for the wall plates - I imagine I need to put in mounting boxes into the wall too!

bremen1874 · 28 Jan 2019 at 18:23

You'll need a punch down tool for the faceplates (Krone, or possibly 110 depending on which faceplates you buy).

A decent cable stripper (Cyclops) will make life easier, as will a basic cable tester.

If you're thinking of putting plugs onto anything you'll need a crimp tool as well.

Quartz · 28 Jan 2019 at 18:27

Pickers said:
It's a small bungalow with loft conversion planned so distances are not massive really...

You always require much more cable than you think you do. Especially when you find yourself routing cables around obstructions.

Pickers · 28 Jan 2019 at 20:28

This is true... So I'm finding lots of UTP cat6... Is unshielded ok, or should I look for FTP / shielded to run around the house?

Edit: I assume this cable (CMP-FTP6R100S) will do me??

bremen1874 · 28 Jan 2019 at 20:35

Buy UTP. Anything else is unnecessary and just making life hard for yourself.

Pickers · 28 Jan 2019 at 21:00

OK. Being very careful not to post potential competitors here (as I just want to identify the right kind of specs)

CMYKZONE KP-1203 (patch panel) - is that the right kind of connection?

kennable 003807 (100m cable)

https://www.connectixcablingsystems.com/2652-cat6-ccs-4000-series-outlets (for wall plates)