New Place, want a fancy network (noob)

[Jetasis]

So my wife and I are building a duplex and I want to install a solid network for all our devices in each room. I plan to install Kodi, a firewall, 1gb switch, some cameras ETC.

Now unfortunately it's a spec home and we've already signed the contract so I can't make any changes to the way they setup the phone lines. It's going ot be CAT 5e ran to the master bedroom and the kitchen and that's IT. There are 2 more bedrooms upstairs that I will want connected. So essentially I will be starting from scratch.

I want 4 ports in each of the 3 bedrooms and the kitchen. 16 drops total.

I figured I might as well run a 1gb switch, so I suppose I'll have to run cat 6 everywhere correct? For the phone jacks I could just use cat 6 as well right? I sell electrical wire and cable so I can get 1000 foot boxes for cheap. ($0.15/foot) Can anyone recommend a switch and panel for this application?

Is there a good guide anyone can point me towards to help? I've never installed a switch/panel before. I've pulled cable so getting the physical wires down to the basement shouldn't be too tough. I also have a crimp tool for putting RJ45 ends on. It's really just the switch and panel that I'm not sure about.

Thanks,

Jet

 

[XLer8]

CAT5e or higher for gigabit net. 6 is better. Look online for proper patch panel and outlet wiring. you''ll need a punch. 16 port switch should be fine. you might want central router/dhcp too. a decent consumer one should do.