Where to buy network jacks / equipment?

[Red Squirrel]

I bought a new house and I want to run cables to install jacks. I can't seem to find anywhere that sells the entire jack enclosures, the ones where you cut a hole in the dry wall and they lock into place when you screw them (without needing a stud support).

I'm looking for something like this:

http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/C...ages/labelled-drop.jpg

I believe each section is modular so you can interchange them. I will probably run a phone line wherever I run a cat6 line.

Also would you recommend cat6a? It's "draft" but it does sound even better then cat6.


edit: Forgot to mention, has to be in Canada and Canadian pricing.

 

[Minerva]

www.monoprice.com

get a class 2 (low volt) carlon "existing construction type" mount. Cut out a hole and it mounts anywhere in the sheetrock without studs. Keyhole drop ins (CAT5E/6) are cheap at the site I recommended.

 

[Crusty]

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...ey=y&keyword1=keystone

Has some good suggestions.

 

[mugs]

Yes, monoprice, search for keystone jack.

 

[BoomerD]

Deep surplus has the stuff you need also...AND...you get free candy...

The potential problem for you, will be finding a supplier that will ship to Canuckistan.

 

[mugs]

You have two options for the box in the wall -
1. Buy remodel boxes for electrical work at any hardware store (including Home Depot and Lowe's). Be sure to get the ones that say "Old Work" or "Remodel." Those are the ones that you can install when the drywall is already there (they clamp to the drywall).
2. You can use low voltage "boxes" that don't have a back. Lowe's sells them in the same section as the ethernet cables and what have you (they're green). Home Depot has them with the electrical boxes (they're orange). (your stores may be different)

 

[Crusty]

Whatever you buy, make sure you buy the same brand for wall plates and keystone jacks.

 

[mugs]

Also - run at least two, preferably more Ethernet lines to every wall plate (I ran 4; if one gets damaged, you won't want to run them again). Might as well use Cat6 for the phone lines too if you have some left over.

And run some RG6 TV cable while you're at it.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Crusty
Whatever you buy, make sure you buy the same brand for wall plates and keystone jacks.

Yep and make sure you do cat6a and read up on proper installation. Most all network problems are caused by the cabling and if you don't do it for a living you'll most likely screw it up and cause hairpulling sessions.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Thanks for the tips, so those wire boxes would be at a hardware store then? Guessing they are standard like light switch boxes except they are made differently and for this purpose?

 

[notposting]

http://www.cablesforless.com for plates and keystone jacks.

Something like these for the boxes: http://www.hometech.com/techwire/wallboxlv.html#old
Really it doesn't matter much, the orange ones with wings or metal ones with tabs. Both work equally well.

Originally posted by: RedSquirrel
Thanks for the tips, so those wire boxes would be at a hardware store then? Guessing they are standard like light switch boxes except they are made differently and for this purpose?

Yeah they would be at Igloo Depot or whatever you have up there.

 

[Iron Woode]

Originally posted by: RedSquirrel
I bought a new house and I want to run cables to install jacks. I can't seem to find anywhere that sells the entire jack enclosures, the ones where you cut a hole in the dry wall and they lock into place when you screw them (without needing a stud support).

I'm looking for something like this:

http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/C...ages/labelled-drop.jpg

I believe each section is modular so you can interchange them. I will probably run a phone line wherever I run a cat6 line.

Also would you recommend cat6a? It's "draft" but it does sound even better then cat6.


edit: Forgot to mention, has to be in Canada and Canadian pricing.

try Rona or Home Depot. They had some cool stuff when I last looked.