Help with network setup in closet.

[de8212]

I have 7 network cables (cat6) that all go to a closet in one of my bedrooms. I plan on putting my cable modem, 4 port router, and 8 port switch in the closet also.
Looking for suggestions on how to make this look neat and organized.
First of all, do I just buy wall plates and connect the 7 cat6 cables to the back, then another cat6 cable/rj45 from that to the router/switch?
Any detailed info and/or pictures, diagrams, etc. would be great.

de

 

[exx1976]

What's your budget look like, and how handy are you at cutting drywall and such?

 

[de8212]

Buying the new house has put me on a tight budget actually. But please let me know what all you have in mind.

 

[exx1976]

Well, to make it the prettiest it can possibly be, I'd get a wall hanging 4U or 8U enclosure, and put a patch panel and your switches/routers in it. But that whole setup will cost you ~$600 or so for the cabinet and patch panel, depending upon the cabinet you choose to buy.

You could just put wall plates on either side of the wall and terminate them and use a patch from the wall to the switch, and just throw the switches on a shelf.. It'll certainly work, just depends upon how aesthetically pleasing you want it to be, and the budget you have to work with.

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Why not just mount a little cabinet on the wall and arrange the stuff inside? Personally, I'd put an 8 port switch in the closet and have the router and modem near the computer I normally use. I like to be able to check the blinking lights, and it's much easier if they're right next to me.

 

[de8212]

~600.00 is a little high.

I'd put an 8 port switch in the closet and have the router and modem near the computer I normally use. I like to be able to check the blinking lights, and it's much easier if they're right next to me.

That's what I originally thought about but I have enough wires going to and from my pc. I wanted to avoid all the mess. I'llprobably regret it though.

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Well, most of the wires are in the closet anyway, but it is your setup...

 

[de8212]

Thanks for the info so far guys. SO does anyone have a direct link to some wall plates with the quick connects for rj45's. I need a double face plate with room for seven of them and then I need 2-3 single plates with one eace. And I need 3-4 with rj45 and rj11.

Any good places to get them online? I'm going to go buy Home Depot sometime soon but I'd like to have a backup plan in case they don't have them.

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

You could also check at Lowe's, they have a pretty good selection of network wiring stuff locally.