in-wall cat5

[imported_itr]

with all the cables inside the wall, do i just buy a patch panel to have them come back out?

diagram:

--->|wall|(panel) -->(switch)

edit: so i install one of these patch panels on the wall?

 

[skyking]

yes. a 12 port can be had for 25$ or so.
Another fine alternative is to get 6 port faceplates, jiffy boxes for the wall, and use keystone jacks in the faceplates. The nice part about that is you don't have a bundle of wire and a surface mount patch panel; you have nice neat paceplates that don't invade, and all the action is behind the wall. It is still a certifiable run, keystone to keystone in solid wire as intended.
I did that, because the next owner might not want all that crap and he could easily blank it off and tuck the keystones in the wall.

 

[w00t]

i have seen that at my school i thought it was pretty cool i thought about doing it at house but i dont know how..

 

[skyking]

Here's a link to Jack's site.
ezlan
there is a section about wiring, and using keystone jacks. The cost about $4 each, and you'd need two per run.
The faceplates are relatively cheap ,as are the old work boxes.
go to this link, and look at the box on the bottom left of that group of 5.
carlon's site
That one you just lay out on the drywall, cut it out with a knife, and install it through the hole.the little ears flop out and grab the sheetrock as you tighten the screw.
There are many different variations of that theme, the open back low voltage box.

 

[Kristi2k]

As others have suggested, a patch panel would be best. It's much easier to maintain your cables and easier to test connectivity issues.

 

[keeleysam]

Use CAT6 if going in walls.

 

[Kristi2k]

Originally posted by: keeleysam
Use CAT6 if going in walls.

Good point. Anothet suggestion would be to run CAT6 for your phones and then crimp the ends for RJ11.

 

[mfriedkin]

Why run Cat6, when if cabling is correctly installed, Cat5 will support up to GigE throughut with no problems, (up to 100M) ?

Cat6, (even Cat5E and Cat7 as some vendors call their cabling), has only been proven necessary when around severe electrical interference, such as run over flourescent fixtures, or high-voltage/amperage lines. And even then, no cabling should be run over these conditions, except fiber.

Nothing in a standard home wall should require the use of Cat5E or above. Cat5 is fine.

Also, Cat5, 5E, 6 and 7 does not only refer to the wire. You can reduce the level of a "Cat6" wire to less than Cat3 if crimped improperly, or too many twists are removed at the crimping point.

And please do not cut off the 4 wires you "think" you do not need while crimping the connector on to the wire. Bye bye Cat5, 5E, or 6.

Also, do not make two connections, eitehr two ethernet or one ethernet and one/two telephone connections out of a cat5, 5E, 6 or 7......again bye bye good ethernet connections.

 

[spidey07]

anybody that puts new wiring in that isn't cat 6 is a complete and utter moron IMHO.

There is simply no reason whatsoever not to do so.

1000Base-T is not supported on cat5 and never has been.

 

[Kristi2k]

I agree that the wire should be terminated properly, including the proper heads, etc. I wasn't referring to splitting one line for Data and Voice either....

 

[mfriedkin]

Spidey07 said:

anybody that puts new wiring in that isn't cat 6 is a complete and utter moron IMHO.

There is simply no reason whatsoever not to do so.

1000Base-T is not supported on cat5 and never has been.

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For an Anandtech Life Member with over 12000+ post, Spidey you are the moron.

When you get through looking at your comic books, switch over to the IEEE site and look at the standard for 1000B-T, 802.3ab-1999. To summarize, this defined Gigabit over Copper using Cat5 and Cat5E from 2M to 100M. yes, that is right, Cat5. Cat5E language was added only after several Cat5E manufacturers complained.

Answer us all Spidey, where did you get trained on your networking skills ? I at least have been in the industry for over 30 years, and currently work for a Tier 1 networking vendor.

Please, I know you mean well, but propagating invalid information can cost many Anandtech members money they need not spend.

If you do not need to bypass high RF or high voltage areas in your home walls, do not spend unnecessary money unless you have it to burn or they are the same cost and you really know how to terminate the Cat5E to take advantage of its characteristics.

M

 

[spidey07]

what is the baudrate on 1000 Base-T?

What frequency is cat5 scanned to?

That should answer it. There is simply no reason in the year 2005 to install cat5 - it is old and outdated. Yes, IEEE says its OK but I don't recommend it.

And I'm not going to get in to a chest thumping match. We're all here to help each other.

 

[Diaonic]

I agree with Spidey, there is absolutley no reason to use anything less than the current standard when doing a new wiring job or rewiring. How long is that house / building going to be there? Do you really want to rewire the place is 5-10 years from now to meet the needs of new equipment?

Cat6 is cheap enough now, there is no reason to cut cornors on petty stuff like this.

Mfriedkin, most of your posts have had a very negitive tone, I suggest you change your attitude we are all here to help each other.:sun: