Home ethernet wiring plan. Small project. Need advice.

[Locut0s]

So here is the issue. There are 2 rooms in question here. Room 1 has the cable modem and the router/AP. Room 2 has my computer. I don't want to use wireless because of the overhead. Currently I just use a long cable that snakes across the floor between the two rooms but this is ugly! What I want to do is feed this cable up through the attic and install Ethernet wall sockets that I can plug into that will connect the 2 rooms. Currently there is a power socket in each room which will be handy for using to find where I am in the attic and fishing the Ethernet cable up along. Now as for the Ethernet socket itself I see 2 options. Option 1 would be to cut another hole above the power socket and install a box there. The problem with this is how do I get around the power cable that's already there? Is there a convenient way of feeding this around the socket or through it or something? Option 2 would be to find a double wide socket and simply expand the hole where the current power outlet is and have the Ethernet socket next to it.

I've never done something like this before so any help would be appreciated. I have some experience with simple wiring of things like installing light fixtures and the like and I have crimped a few network cables so I think I can work out the Ethernet wiring from diagrams on the net.

Here is a pic of the basic idea I have.

If this works out there is the MUCH more difficult task of running Ethernet cable from the same room down 2 floors to the basement that I might look at doing.

Update:Wopee did it I ended up having to put a small hole in the ceiling but it's not visible (will putty over it later). The layout of the attic was REALLY confusing so I drilled a small hole in the ceiling of my closet and threaded a coat hanger up into the attic so I could get my bearings. From there I measured off drilled through the top plates and fed all the wires. Looks much nicer with the actual cat5 plates on the walls

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Originally posted by: Locut0s
I don't want to use wireless because of the overhead.

??

 

[Locut0s]

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer

Originally posted by: Locut0s
I don't want to use wireless because of the overhead.

??

I know there shouldn't be too much of a difference but in my own comparisons between the two I much prefer the direct Ethernet connection over using wireless.

I don't mind using wireless elsewhere in my house for other devises but not for my main comp.

 

[mugs]

I would put the box for the Ethernet at the same height but 10" away from the outlets, against the other stud.

 

[Locut0s]

Originally posted by: mugs
I would put the box for the Ethernet at the same height but 10" away from the outlets, against the other stud.

Ahh right thanks! Should have though of that. Fishing the cable up through all the insulation will take some time but shouldn't be too bad. I should probably use something much stiffer than the Ethernet cable to do the actual probing/fishing.

 

[Qacer]

This guy did something similar.

http://www.howsed.com/installing-an-ethernet-outlet/

 

[Rastus]

Originally posted by: Locut0s

Originally posted by: mugs
I would put the box for the Ethernet at the same height but 10" away from the outlets, against the other stud.

Ahh right thanks! Should have though of that. Fishing the cable up through all the insulation will take some time but shouldn't be too bad. I should probably use something much stiffer than the Ethernet cable to do the actual probing/fishing.

Fish tape is sold in hardware stores for that purpose. If the walls you are going to be putting the cable in are interior walls, then there won't be any insulation.

 

[Locut0s]

Originally posted by: Qacer
This guy did something similar.

http://www.howsed.com/installing-an-ethernet-outlet/

Thanks for the link. My job will be a bit more involved because I won't be able to work from "behind the wall" as this guy did in his unfinished basement. I like the idea of the old-work electric box instead of nailing a new box to studs. Since this will only be an Ethernet box that might work well as there should be very little force applied to it.

 

[Locut0s]

Originally posted by: Rastus

Originally posted by: Locut0s

Originally posted by: mugs
I would put the box for the Ethernet at the same height but 10" away from the outlets, against the other stud.

Ahh right thanks! Should have though of that. Fishing the cable up through all the insulation will take some time but shouldn't be too bad. I should probably use something much stiffer than the Ethernet cable to do the actual probing/fishing.

Fish tape is sold in hardware stores for that purpose. If the walls you are going to be putting the cable in are interior walls, then there won't be any insulation.

Right I knew they made something specifically for this but didn't know the name, thanks. And about the insulation, I guess I knew that but never thought about it, shows how much I know.

 

[Oceanas]

Just use a low voltage bracket instead of a box and you can mount it wherever you want, including above the existing outlet if you want.

 

[Locut0s]

Originally posted by: Oceanas
Just use a low voltage bracket instead of a box and you can mount it wherever you want, including above the existing outlet if you want.

Thanks!

 

[OUCaptain]

Try to get your box as close to the stud as possible. Then drill a hole through the top plate directly above it. Easy way to locate it in the attic is to straighten a coat hanger and poke it through the ceiling right above the hole. Once in the attic, find the coat hanger and drill your hole. Push your fish down the hole into the wall and ride the stud down the wall. This way you should be able to find the fish through your cutout. Two people will make this much easier. Also, I prefer fiber glass rods for jobs like this verses metal tapes because the are easier to aim and push through the insulation. Metal tapes tend to curl up in the wall. Now simply tape you cable on the fish and pull it up. In the other room, tape a piece of string into the fish, pull it into the attic, then tie your cable onto the string and pull it down. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I've run more cat5 and 6 than I care to remember. Good luck!

one more thing, definitely pm me when you get the termination part if you have any questions or doubts. While it is an easy thing to do, a bad termination can result in a very flaky link.

 

[Locut0s]

Originally posted by: OUCaptain
Try to get your box as close to the stud as possible. Then drill a hole through the top plate directly above it. Easy way to locate it in the attic is to straighten a coat hanger and poke it through the ceiling right above the hole. Once in the attic, find the coat hanger and drill your hole. Push your fish down the hole into the wall and ride the stud down the wall. This way you should be able to find the fish through your cutout. Two people will make this much easier. Also, I prefer fiber glass rods for jobs like this verses metal tapes because the are easier to aim and push through the insulation. Metal tapes tend to curl up in the wall. Now simply tape you cable on the fish and pull it up. In the other room, tape a piece of string into the fish, pull it into the attic, then tie your cable onto the string and pull it down. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I've run more cat5 and 6 than I care to remember. Good luck!

one more thing, definitely pm me when you get the termination part if you have any questions or doubts. While it is an easy thing to do, a bad termination can result in a very flaky link.

Wow thanks!

 

[Mo0o]

hmm i recently switched to a wireless usb thing on my main computer and haven't noticed any speed differences

 

[Rastus]

Also, the cable you want to use is called Riser Cable. It's solid core instead of the stranded Station Cable you are used to having. It's not as flexible, but it's more robust.

 

[biggestmuff]

Do the two rooms share a wall? If so, just drill through the walls at the baseboard and fish the ethernet cable through. When you relocate equipment or move, spackle over the hole and paint.

 

[Locut0s]

Originally posted by: biggestmuff
Do the two rooms share a wall? If so, just drill through the walls at the baseboard and fish the ethernet cable through. When you relocate equipment or move, spackle over the hole and paint.

No if that were the case I would have done just that long time ago.

 

[boomerang]

Got to ask, no basement?

 

[TwiceOver]

Might want to check if there are cross braces between the studs. If there is, you'll fish halfway down the wall and hit a cross brace, then you're kinda hosed.

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: TwiceOver
Might want to check if there are cross braces between the studs. If there is, you'll fish halfway down the wall and hit a cross brace, then you're kinda hosed.

If that is the case then you are probably best going with an outdoor install.
Really easy for most homes, especially those using vinyl siding since you can hide the cable under the siding.

Buy some outdoor rated cable then drill a hole through the outside wall into the room where you want the jack. Also good since you can place the jack almost anywhere without worry about studs.


Putting the ethernet jack and receptacle in the same box can be a problem . Some local codes do not allow low voltage and high voltage to share the same box.

 

[marrr]

You should check this out if you wanna fish wires. I just used this yesterday and brought a cable wire down from the attic and it worked pretty good.
http://www.techtoolsupply.com/...on=VIEWPROD&ProdID=649

 

[LS8]

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer

Originally posted by: Locut0s
I don't want to use wireless because of the overhead.

??

Cat6 + old hub = cheap as dirt and almost every PC/notebook has an RJ45 jack...

 

[vshah]

Originally posted by: LS8

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer

Originally posted by: Locut0s
I don't want to use wireless because of the overhead.

??

Cat6 + old hub = cheap as dirt and almost every PC/notebook has an RJ45 jack...

and wireless is SLOWER.

 

[iGas]

Option 2

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer

Originally posted by: Locut0s
I don't want to use wireless because of the overhead.

??

Streaming HD video over wireless can get pretty rough plus you don't have to worry about the teenage wannabe hAx0r! down the street trying to hack your AP.