Networks in the home, how to make the holes in the walls look clean/neat?

[glen]

I need to run some Cat5 through a wall.
What do you do to make it look nice and neat?
Are there gromets or something to make the hole look professional and not give the roaches another crawl through space?

 

[Macro2]

Actually, I really recommend a box with a jack. You could also run your wire out a hole in a plate without a jack if your PC is close to it.

They make plastic wall boxes with wings that you can place anywhere in drywall. Consult home depot.

 

[JackMDS]

It is much easier, and better results to Install in the wall Keystone Jacks, and connect the computers with commercial made RJ-45 to the wall.

The following link will provide an actual description.
Link: Physical Home Networking

Link: How To Terminate & Assemble Keystone Jacks.

You can buy in Home depot, or on line here.

Link: http://www.9thtee.com/networking.htm

Link: Ethernet CAT5 Patch Cables.

 

[chefmws]

the link to configuring the keystone jacks is great.

thanks for that link.


mark

 

[glen]

Wow.
You guys are really helpful. Thank you!
Do I need to buy a crimping tool or can I buy some short lengths terminated in keystone connector for going from one side of a wall to the other?

 

[MikeMike]

keystone jacks are easy to do. just follow the labels on them! and if you need to make plugs, yes you will need a crimper, ratshack sells them, and so does prolly other stores.

MIKE

 

[glen]

Ok, so what router do I buy? There are only 2 computers.

 

[MikeMike]

a small little cheapie. w/ rebates at like OM or other store like that.

MIKE

 

[glen]

So, any Linksys router is ok?

 

[JackMDS]

If you do not have any specific demands any Router will do.

If you do have specific needs do some research?

Linksys has good name recognition, but the Entry level Routers are no better or worse than the rest.

Example:
EtherEngine 400-R 4 Port Cable/DSL Broadband Router ($7.99, after rebate).

 

[SpeedFreak03]

I just setup a similar thing. I ran 2 lines from 2 different bedrooms (office and kids bedroom) to my basement(unfinshed part, aka laundry room), and mounted the boxes on studs. I have keystone jacks at all four ends. Then, I ran a line from the finished part of the basement (carpets, drywall, etc) into the laundry room, next to the other jacks. Both ends have keystone jacks. I ran a cable line (for the cable modem) into the laundry room, next to the other jacks. Then, I have an SMC 7004VBR router ($10 after MIR at compusa a few weeks ago). All three jacks have wires coming from them into the router. It works great this way. The faceplates, wire, and jacks are all available at Radio Shack (I think i paid like $30 for a 100ft spool). Lowes or Home Depot sell the boxes, but make sure you get the ones for "existing construction". It was a bit scary cutting a big hole into my new house (its only 6 months old), but it looks MUCH better than in my old house (were i had the wires running right through the wall).

 

[dartworth]

Why not just go wireless?

 

[glen]

I need to thank all of you for help!
I am so pleased to have done this, aand I am excited about the functionality of the LAN!
My LAN. This is so cool. My roomate can't believe we can share mp3s, printers, and the internet connection, and thinks I am a computer guru now, although I don't know anything, as a monkey could have followed the directs you guys provided.