Running network cable through a home

[frover2000]

Gonna be moving into a townhouse in a few weeks and im just wondering if there's a guide somewhere on how to install network cable between floors, there will probably be 3 or so computers on the network, i dont wanna bother with wireless because of the cost and slow speed.
thanks

 

[JackMDS]

May be this can Help: Wiring - I would like to wire my Networked Computers (Home Wiring).

:sun:

 

[ktwebb]

Originally posted by: frover2000
Gonna be moving into a townhouse in a few weeks and im just wondering if there's a guide somewhere on how to install network cable between floors, there will probably be 3 or so computers on the network, i dont wanna bother with wireless because of the cost and slow speed.
thanks

Speed is a valid argument. Cost however is not. You'll spend more money running three or four drops after you buy the cable, the connectors, the tools to crimp and or punchdown, the faceplates et al.

Cabling is mostly common sense. Your biggest hurdle is going to be knocking the holes out and fishing the cable down behind sheetrock/drywall etc...

 

[frover2000]

for me to go wireless i figure I would spend well over $300

dlink wirless g router is like 90
3 wireless g nics about 80 each
total is about 330 plus tax

 

[PowerEngineer]

Originally posted by: frover2000
for me to go wireless i figure I would spend well over $300

dlink wirless g router is like 90
3 wireless g nics about 80 each
total is about 330 plus tax

Wireless hardware is often on sale and/or heavily rebated these days. You can often find g-nics for under $20, and occassionally g-routers for that as well.

That said, I'd give wiring a try first myself.

Good luck!

 

[cmetz]

frover2000, if you want cheap, go wireless. They practically give the stuff away now.

Wired is faster and more reliable, but the cabling is going to be expensive for a retrofit job. However, that is not all lost money, it increases the resale value of your property to have it if it is done properly (read: professionally).

 

[frover2000]

here in canada i havent found anything close to 20 for a wireless nic, im not a fan of buying stuff online, so im kinda limited to what i can find at BB, futurecrap or ma and pa stores. Besides how much is all this wire gonna cost?

 

[randym431]

I'd go wired, even if its more. I run cable from one floor up to the next thru a closet or somewhere where its hidden. Run along the baseboard into a closet, and up to the next floor. Just be careful to know where the hole is going to come out on the next floor, and not to hit electrical or plumbing. Going thru a closet, and having it pretty much hid, is less messy than tearing out and running thru walls.
Wireless is ok for some things, but I too prefer wired for the pc, or any media players, tivos, stuff like that runs better wired.

 

[sep]

Originally posted by: randym431
I'd go wired, even if its more. I run cable from one floor up to the next thru a closet or somewhere where its hidden. Run along the baseboard into a closet, and up to the next floor. Just be careful to know where the hole is going to come out on the next floor, and not to hit electrical or plumbing. Going thru a closet, and having it pretty much hid, is less messy than tearing out and running thru walls.
Wireless is ok for some things, but I too prefer wired for the pc, or any media players, tivos, stuff like that runs better wired.

I agree. I have good size home network 3 Routers, 5 PC's, 2 Printers, etc. One PC is wireless. The router is directly one floor down from this pc and I get a fair connection. But still deal with the wireless bull crap (disconnects, slower than wired, security, etc.). Over the summer I'll run a wire, but it's going to be hard. Then I'll be down to 2 routers (1 is router, 2 is print server, 3 is access point)

Afterwards you can always hide the cable in the closet or duck work. This place cableorganizer has some nice items to help make cabling easier!