Proper Network's cable installation

[skyking]

There is another pitfall to high performance network wiring.

Many people, myself included, like to comb out the wire so it is neat and parallel where a big bundle of it is exposed.
Avoid doing that because of Alien Crosstalk. This occurs when a signal being carried on a nearby cable jumps across to another cable. This happens more readily if the cables run perfectly parallel for a larger distance, so avoid coming it all out neatly.

 

[comcableguy]

Has anyone out there used Comdangles for routing low voltage cable? They have a web site. I am curiouse if anyone thinks it is worth changing to.

 

[alfa147x]

I might have missed this.

Would you guys recommend a patch panel for a house? Planning on 24 - 30 drops.

 

[imagoon]

I might have missed this.

Would you guys recommend a patch panel for a house? Planning on 24 - 30 drops.

Yes. The key sentence in there is "never crimp your own cables." You will likely never need a mod end crimper (rj45) so don't waste money on it.

 

[alfa147x]

Yes. The key sentence in there is "never crimp your own cables." You will likely never need a mod end crimper (rj45) so don't waste money on it.

Ah perfect. Will be wiring house durning the summer. So just trying to do my research ahead of time.

This is what my apartment has currently:

Finally figured that mess out last night.

The large white cable is coming from a HP ProCurve backend + phone. The top of that panel is connecting all the phone jacks. The two pre-terminated ends are the ethernet jacks in each bedroom. The Cat 5e cable to right is the cable for the living room. Which the leasing office told me was the only internet jack in the whole apartment. LOL. Well that cable is connected to some wires coming from the large white cable in a 100BASE-TX fashion.


The plan is to terminate the wire from the living room into a Cat 6 keystone and the wire it's connected to. Then move all my network stuff to that closet / laundry room and mount it a shelf high up.

The 5x Cat 5e or Cat 6 cables are:
2x phone jacks
2x Bedrooms
1x Living room

 

[imagoon]

I would remove that 66 block or restrict it just POTS service only. It will never be "CAT anything" compliant. Pick up a patch panel from monoprice and terminate on to that (110 punch.)

This reminds me that I really need to add some pictures to this FAQ also.

 

[alfa147x]

I would remove that 66 block or restrict it just POTS service only. It will never be "CAT anything" compliant. Pick up a patch panel from monoprice and terminate on to that (110 punch.)

This reminds me that I really need to add some pictures to this FAQ also.

I was considering it BUT since my internet is included in my rent and this box is from the ISP/Apt complex I'm trying to do as little as possible to their setup. This way in a few months when I move out they'll have nothing to complain about.

That block isn't being used for anything but POTS ASFAIK all the data connections are done with those slightly translucent connectors

 

[imagoon]

Main post updated.

Now with moar pictars!

Feedback appreciated.

My personal opinion is the pics are to big to inline but I might if it makes it clearer.

Thanks

 

[xSauronx]

cursed custom cut cabling...the cable crew for the company i work for cuts cables to length from the patch panel the switch they are getting plugged in to. the guys tell me they test the cables to spec when they do this, i dont know, thats just what im told.

what really, really bugs the hell out of me about it is...that means theres no slack if you need to move a cable for some reason. i was a client today where a switch just up and went nuts--the 4 uplinks werent passing traffic, and three ports that i had pulled cables from were still lit up (one was even still blinking!)

its enough work to have to re-route cables as it is, but even more its a pain when theres zero slack and i had to pull stuff straight down from the patch panel to reach ports in the next switch down on the rack :-/

/can't wait to move some of them back when the replacement gets here

 

[Hmongkeysauce]

With any luck, I'll be a home owner soon. One of the first project I'm planning is wiring the house for ethernet. I've done drops before for small offices but have never had to drill through fireblocks or cut drywall before. I have access to crawl space which gives me enough space to walk around. I plan to stream HD across the network as well as having 4-6 IP cameras on it. Other than that, nothing fancy really. I'm guesstimating about 14-16 drops for now.

Any pro tips/warnings? Cat 5e or Cat 6? OK to have patch panel and switch in garage? Thanks in advance.

 

[ScottMac]

I would remove that 66 block or restrict it just POTS service only. It will never be "CAT anything" compliant. Pick up a patch panel from monoprice and terminate on to that (110 punch.)

This reminds me that I really need to add some pictures to this FAQ also.

As you mention, the odds are minimal that this is a Cat-rated 66 block but, for the record, there actually were some Cat5-rated 66 blocks back in the day. Whether they still exist as new product, I have no idea (can probably find 'em in an Anixter catalog).

Also as mentioned, 110 is the best way to go for block-style cross-connect, assuming that you use Cat-rated 110 blocks.

Edit 7/30/13 - There are now at least) Cat5e 66 Blocks (Siemon). NOT NOT NOT recommended for data I don't care WHAT they're alleged to be rated.

 

[TwoAlpha]

As you mention, the odds are minimal that this is a Cat-rated 66 block but, for the record, there actually were some Cat5-rated 66 blocks back in the day.

There were cat5 66 blocks in the past but this isn't one. Rated blocks had uneven spacing where each pair was closer then a larger gap then the next pair.

 

[bearxor]

Am I the only one that loves making his own cables?

 

[cafayzieg]

Lessons Learned

• Crimping your own RJ45 should be avoided.
• Terrestrial wireless continues to work great.
• PyCon volunteers are awesome!
• Don't forget to load all the conntrack modules...
• 2.4GHz should be avoided.
• We really need our router somewhere we can access it.
• I should have named the extra ESSIDs more clearly.
• We really needed a few minutes spoken intro to the network.
• We needed more APs in the main hall.

In theory, it is understandable. But is is not convenient to operate.
I always drag line on the fault.

 

[MonKENy]

question

I have a 24port switch, Can I run router to switch than just run my lines from there? Do I need a patch panel?

 

[JackMDS]

question

I have a 24port switch, Can I run router to switch than just run my lines from there? Do I need a patch panel?

Cables are cables, it is your choice whether to use Path Panel for cable runs, Regular cables, or both.

 

[imagoon]

question

I have a 24port switch, Can I run router to switch than just run my lines from there? Do I need a patch panel?

If you want to do it right and be in spec, yes you need a patch panel, or keystones on the end near the switch. If you are ever (at home at least) punching Mod ends / RJ45 on to solid core cable, "You are doing it wrong"

 

[MonKENy]

OK I think i see why. Router patch cord to switch, Switch is patch cords to panel. Panel is solid core to wall jacks.

 

[imagoon]

OK I think i see why. Router patch cord to switch, Switch is patch cords to panel. Panel is solid core to wall jacks.

Yeah that is the jist of it. If you have a small build you can just use keystones on both ends of the solid core. It may be cheaper in some cases.

 

[MonKENy]

This is the cable I have

https://plus.google.com/photos/113406212691162715251/albums/5874639413502865873

Is it good enough?

 

[imagoon]

This is the cable I have

https://plus.google.com/photos/113406212691162715251/albums/5874639413502865873

Is it good enough?

I would suspect so. Cat5e from a decent vendor.

 

[zaza13]

Am I the only one that loves making his own cables?

Nope.


_________________________________________________
If Microsoft ever does applications for Linux it means I won. Free hosting

 

[BD2003]

A few general questions, I definitely plan on wiring whatever home I eventually buy. Assuming I have a closet in the basement...

I'd have the modem installed in the closet, connected to a router right next to it. So far, so good. Ideally I'd like to run ethernet to the living room, 2-3 bedrooms and a theater. Multiple devices would be used in each area.

So what should I do in terms of switches? Would I want one giant switch in the closet, and then run multiple wires to each room? Or would I want a smaller switch in the closet, a single wire run to each room, and then a switch in each room if necessary? Or is it possible to buy some sort of mini-switch that can fit in a wall plate, for a really clean install?

Also, I'd like to install a few IP cameras outdoors, maybe 1-2 indoors. I believe it's possible to power some cameras over ethernet....how does that change things in terms of the gear/cabling?

I'd also like the house and backyard to be bathed in wifi, so that means multiple APs. Are there any best practices for that? Obviously a router in the basement won't cut it. Would I want to use combo switch/APs in some of the rooms? Or would I want a separate wire run to standalone APs placed strategically through the house?

Also, I'm concerned that say 10-20 years from now, 10-100gbit might be standard. I really only want to do this once, cause it sounds like such a PITA...what are my options in terms of future proofing? Or will it cost way more to future proof now, then to just have it all rewired in a decade or two with cat12x fiber-holographic wire? Is there such a thing like a tunnel/conduit that would make it much easier to run multiple wires such as HDMI, speaker cable, etc....where I could just pull an old one out and slip a new one right in real easy?

And generally, how much do you save by going DIY on this? Is it like painting where it costs a tiny fraction to do it yourself vs hiring a pro, or is it pretty reasonable to have it installed? Assuming I bought all the switches, APs, patch cables and the patch panel myself, what would be the ballpark price be for the wiring and wall plate installation in 5 rooms?

 

[imagoon]

A few general questions, I definitely plan on wiring whatever home I eventually buy. Assuming I have a closet in the basement...

I'd have the modem installed in the closet, connected to a router right next to it. So far, so good. Ideally I'd like to run ethernet to the living room, 2-3 bedrooms and a theater. Multiple devices would be used in each area.

So what should I do in terms of switches? Would I want one giant switch in the closet, and then run multiple wires to each room? Or would I want a smaller switch in the closet, a single wire run to each room, and then a switch in each room if necessary? Or is it possible to buy some sort of mini-switch that can fit in a wall plate, for a really clean install?

Also, I'd like to install a few IP cameras outdoors, maybe 1-2 indoors. I believe it's possible to power some cameras over ethernet....how does that change things in terms of the gear/cabling?

I'd also like the house and backyard to be bathed in wifi, so that means multiple APs. Are there any best practices for that? Obviously a router in the basement won't cut it. Would I want to use combo switch/APs in some of the rooms? Or would I want a separate wire run to standalone APs placed strategically through the house?

Also, I'm concerned that say 10-20 years from now, 10-100gbit might be standard. I really only want to do this once, cause it sounds like such a PITA...what are my options in terms of future proofing? Or will it cost way more to future proof now, then to just have it all rewired in a decade or two with cat12x fiber-holographic wire? Is there such a thing like a tunnel/conduit that would make it much easier to run multiple wires such as HDMI, speaker cable, etc....where I could just pull an old one out and slip a new one right in real easy?

And generally, how much do you save by going DIY on this? Is it like painting where it costs a tiny fraction to do it yourself vs hiring a pro, or is it pretty reasonable to have it installed? Assuming I bought all the switches, APs, patch cables and the patch panel myself, what would be the ballpark price be for the wiring and wall plate installation in 5 rooms?

It would be best to cut and paste this in to the forum rather than the FAQ since you ask a lot of questions.

 

[MonKENy]

Is there something that allows 2 patch cables t be attached to each other? Like a keystone jack with 2 female ends 1 on each side?

I want to run Patch Cable from the switch to inside the wall and out a keystone if I can. The runs are less than 50ft and I have plenty of 50ft patch cable

would this work?

http://www.amazon.com/Intellinet-Fem.../dp/B002JP92K8