wiring home for networking - need input on hardware/cable

[Grit]

I'm wiring my home up to connect my computers & other devices. I want to future-proof this for about 10 years. I will connect a NAS or home server, 2 desktops, 1 notebook, 2 media servers, a printer, and my DVR, for now.

I want gigabit capacity for backups between computers and the NAS/server. I'm also considering a managed switch. What I cant figure out is what stuff to buy, or if it will make a difference.

Whats the bottleneck in home networking? Seems like HDDs, operating systems, etc. I read that the next roung of 10G integrated NICs will be coming in late 2008. Will we have faster speeds over the network, or just more throughput?

Cat 6 or Cat 5e cable? Shielded, unshielded, solid, stranded?
Will I see a benefit from a managed switch by isolating the 10/100 devices from the gigabit devices and the internet connections via VLANs?
Would I benefit from a dedicated NIC that reduces CPU useage?

If I use a typical wireless router with 4 gigabyte autosensing switches AND an unmanaged switch, will there be any improvement from using ONLY the ports on the switch?

Thanks for any and all input. I'm afraid I only know enough to know that I don't know enough. 😉

 

[JackMDS]

Cat6 solid core for the long runs, terminated into Keystones.

Regular patch from the Keystones to Network Devices.

http://www.ezlan.net/CAT.html

 

[Grit]

Thanks Jack. Can you comment on the shielded vs unshielded? I'll have to run next to RJ6 quad shield coax and within a few inches of a 15a 110v ac power line (Romax I think it's called?)

 

[JackMDS]

Coax will not affect the network since the coax itself is shielded.

For functional purpose 15A 110VAC should not be a problem.

So I think that UTP would be OK.