Network wiring question

[Chriz]

I recently bought a 2 bedroom 2nd floor condo and I was thinking about wiring it for cat 6 ethernet. I've been reading a lot of install guides and I also read the FAQ on the first page. I know the basics about networking but I've never had experience with patch panels. Is a patch panel really needed for this? If it is really needed, would the network work by plugging a patch cable from the switch/router into a wall jack instead of directly into the patch panel? I would like to have the router in a different room than the patch panel, which is why I ask. Thanks.

 

[Zargon]

can you? yeah

will it affect QOS? yeah

 

[Cr0nJ0b]

can you? yeah

will it affect QOS? yeah

I don't really get this response. If you are cabled correctly with all the connections terminated properly, why would you effect QoS? you either have connections or you don't.

Personally I don't see any issue with this setup.

What I think you are saying is this:

Plug a router/modem at the edge into a line that connects with the core panel. At the core, I'm assuming you have all the lines terminated into a switch. In this case, i think its fine

 

[drebo]

You don't necessarily need a patch panel, but the runs through your walls should be solid core and they should be terminated to keystone jacks on each side. Those keystones don't necesarily need to be in a patch panel. For instance, if you only had 4-6 of them, you could use a single gangbox with a faceplate that had 6 spots for keystones. This is generally cheaper and more aesthetic than a patch panel.

Then, yes, your equipment (switch and computers) would use a patch cable to plug in to the wall jacks.

This method of cabling is by far the most recommended, as it increases the life of the cable and the quality of the connection.

you either have connections or you don't.

That is very much not true. A large percentage of all "speed" and "reliability" issues can be traced back to problems with the cabling, even though the computers have "connections".

 

[Chriz]

You don't necessarily need a patch panel, but the runs through your walls should be solid core and they should be terminated to keystone jacks on each side. Those keystones don't necesarily need to be in a patch panel. For instance, if you only had 4-6 of them, you could use a single gangbox with a faceplate that had 6 spots for keystones. This is generally cheaper and more aesthetic than a patch panel.

Then, yes, your equipment (switch and computers) would use a patch cable to plug in to the wall jacks.

This method of cabling is by far the most recommended, as it increases the life of the cable and the quality of the connection.

Thanks for the reply Drebo. So I have 3 rooms that I want 4 connections each to be in, with the switch being in one of those rooms. So I should get 3 wallplates and single gang boxes that have 4 keystone jacks each. My only question is, if I don't use a patch panel, how would all of this connect up so everything functions correctly?

 

[bobdole369]

So you would need in the room that holds the switch, some method of bringing the 12 cables in near the switch, just terminate the ends and plug them in. It's not "right" but its your house, your problems.

 

[imagoon]

So you would need in the room that holds the switch, some method of bringing the 12 cables in near the switch, just terminate the ends and plug them in. It's not "right" but its your house, your problems.

The really easy answer is to just terminate the ends on to key stones and run the patches to the switch. Putting mod ends on solid core is 'doing in wrong.' It quite seriously is like driving on the wrong side of the road etc.

Keystone to keystone makes the cable like a large extension cord. Patch panels are equivalent to a ton of keystone on one panel anyway.

 

[imagoon]

Thanks for the reply Drebo. So I have 3 rooms that I want 4 connections each to be in, with the switch being in one of those rooms. So I should get 3 wallplates and single gang boxes that have 4 keystone jacks each. My only question is, if I don't use a patch panel, how would all of this connect up so everything functions correctly?

3 rooms:
Single gang (or double if you need the space)
1 4 keystone faceplate
4 keystones

switch room:
Triple gang box / or 3 singles or whatever.
3 x 4 keystone faceplates
12 keystones
12 patch cables (what ever length) patched from the 12 keystones to the switch.

Pull the cables between each location, punch down and label. Bonus points if you use 4 different color keystones to make it easier to patch later.

The only thing you may run in to is some times the patch panels are cheaper than the 12 keystones. If so you make the call.

Basically you are building this:

[device]===patch===[keystone in wall plate]===solid core in wall===[keystone in wallplate]===patch===[switch(technically just 'device']

 

[Zargon]

I don't really get this response. If you are cabled correctly with all the connections terminated properly, why would you effect QoS? you either have connections or you don't.

Personally I don't see any issue with this setup.

What I think you are saying is this:

Plug a router/modem at the edge into a line that connects with the core panel. At the core, I'm assuming you have all the lines terminated into a switch. In this case, i think its fine

the way I read it it sound like

[device] ==patch== [wallplate]===in wall cable===[patch panel] ==patch to other port on patch panel====[patch panel]====in wall cable==[wallplate]===patch===[switch]

have I 'hotwired' connections like that before?

yeah

do I make it a habit? no.


prety much everything drebo pointed out

 

[Chriz]

Thanks imagoon. So basically my two choices are:

A) Don't use patch panel. Instead, in the bedroom with the switch, run 12 patch cables from wallplates to the switch. This room would have a total of 16 keystone jacks (4 for devices and 12 to run the patch cables from the 3 rooms to the switch)
B) Use patch panel, and have all 12 solid core cables leading into it. This way, only one patch cable is needed that connects the switch to the rest of the network.

Tough choice. I really don't want to have to 12 patch cables in the bedroom like that, but if I go with a patch panel I am not sure where I would put it. I have a big storage closet across the hallway which would be a nice place for it but that would require running the wires around the whole condo and that would be a huge task since people have their own condos both above and below me.

 

[bobdole369]

The really easy answer is to just terminate the ends on to key stones and run the patches to the switch. Putting mod ends on solid core is 'doing in wrong.' It quite seriously is like driving on the wrong side of the road etc.

Keystone to keystone makes the cable like a large extension cord. Patch panels are equivalent to a ton of keystone on one panel anyway.

Aye this is agreed. However the OP made it sound like that was what he wanted.