HELP: Eero user needs to switch to more powerful mesh network.

[degrub]

I would guess this is the switch I need...

https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-GS105NA-Ethernet-Replacement-Unmanaged/dp/B0000BVYT3/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495029756&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=netgear+1Gbit/100mbit/10mbit+switch

Yes, if you have devices that will not tolerate the ports shutting down to save energy - so called green ethernet, make sure you get one that can have that function turned off on the port.

 

[thiggins]

Ethernet is always simplest and best. 100m is the specified limit for 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet. The connection won't stop working beyond that, but error rates may go up, which can knock down bandwidth a bit. It's unlikely you'd notice a difference.

Use direct burial grade CAT 5e, or run it through flexible plastic conduit and deal the ends with silicone caulk or water-resistent seals.

 

[tannebil]

Personally, I shy away from solutions that are right at the edge of technical limits. Wherever any problem comes up, you'll immediately start to wonder if it is the buried 100m cable.

The Verizon router doesn't have to be at the same location as the switch. Is there a reasonable midpoint where you could install a switch? That would give you two 150' cables rather than a single long one.

What value is Verizon bringing to your solution? Just buy the cables you want on Amazon. Either pre-terminated or get a crimping tool. It's not hard to crimp on the connectors (but get a tester). The problem with pre-terminated cable is it's likely to be too long which will leave a significant amount of slack.

A pair of MoCA 2.0 bonded adapters costs $150. It is more active gear but pick your poison.

 

[NJRonbo]

Let me start with the reason for involving Verizon.

I am not a handy man. I can't even drill and patch. That is why I need them. It's their box on the side of my house. It's locked with screws for which I have no means of opening.

Yes, Verizon will probably charge me $90 to come out and lay a line for which I am purchasing. However, they will hook it up to the outside box and they will drill and bring in the ethernet line at the other end of my home.

Now, I need to be certain of something as I am getting lost in some of your technical terms...

All I need is the ethernet cable (outdoor type for the trench) and the Netgear 1GB switch. Right?

The poster above mentioned MoCA 2.o, but I don't need that..right? Just the cable and the Netgear switch. Correct?

Thanks guys!

 

[degrub]

Let me start with the reason for involving Verizon.

I am not a handy man. I can't even drill and patch. That is why I need them. It's their box on the side of my house. It's locked with screws for which I have no means of opening.

Yes, Verizon will probably charge me $90 to come out and lay a line for which I am purchasing. However, they will hook it up to the outside box and they will drill and bring in the ethernet line at the other end of my home.

Now, I need to be certain of something as I am getting lost in some of your technical terms...

All I need is the ethernet cable (outdoor type for the trench) and the Netgear 1GB switch. Right?

The poster above mentioned MoCA 2.o, but I don't need that..right? Just the cable and the Netgear switch. Correct?

Thanks guys!

Since you are going to use Verizon to do the work, i would rephrase what you want - tell them you need 1 gbit ethernet at spot in the house and you want it hardwired. Let them propose a solution and then if it is not what you think you want, ask them about alternatives that would work and what the advantages / disadvantages are of both. That way they have to guarantee the work. If you tell them "do it this way" they will take minimal responsibility.

 

[NJRonbo]

I have had Verizon out a year ago.

They couldn't figure out how to lay the wire. The house is multi-floored and an addition was put on in the past 10 years.

Really, I figured out the quickest and most painless way to do this would be to build a small trench around the outside of the house and lay the ethernet in the ground. It would take less than 300' of ethernet.

Certainly, I an ask Verizon if they think this is the easiest method. However, I would absolutely bet it is.

Thing is, I have to ask them on the phone, before they come out, if they are willing to just hook one end to the outside box and bring the other end into the house at the other end. I will take care of putting the cable in a trench.

So, back to the original question that I need to know before I move forward with this...

The only two things I need to buy is the outdoor ethernet cable and the 1GB switch. All I would need to do is plug the ethernet into the main port and the rest of the ports will supply me with the maximum speed? There is no other device I need to buy. Right? I am not interested in transmitting wireless as I already have a mesh system doing that.

If you agree with this, I can move forward. I just need your expert advice.

 

[thiggins]

All I would need to do is plug the ethernet into the main port and the rest of the ports will supply me with the maximum speed? There is no other device I need to buy. Right?

Correct.
If Verizon can't won't do it, you should be able to get an electrician to run the cable.

 

[NJRonbo]

An electrician would probably charge me more. So, I will have Verizon do it.

Thanks so much for clarifying the parts I would need.

 

[CaptainSTX]

An electrician would probably charge me more. So, I will have Verizon do it.

Thanks so much for clarifying the parts I would need.

A electrician that has experience installing wiring in residential buildings and has the specialized tools can quickly do things that most people would think impossible.

Alarm system installers are also amazing at getting wiring to places that you think would be impossible and they can do it without cutting holes in your walls.

Most CATV installers don't havethe training or tools to run concealed wiring.

 

[sfx2000]

If Verizon can't won't do it, you should be able to get an electrician to run the cable.

Most electricians, at least out here in California, won't touch low-voltage stuff (ethernet/coax/telco) - which is odd, I know, but I think this goes back to the 'craft' side of things with labor, etc...

VZ should be able to do the run, otherwise find a networking specialist, as they will definitely do it...

 

[NJRonbo]

Yes, an electrician would probably be better. But they will charge me more. Most charge $70 just to come to your house.

The other day I had an electrician in to put in a new transformer for my RING video doorbell and it was $150 base labor plus whatever the parts cost.

Verizon will charge me $90 to come out and do the job.

If I was better skilled, I could do it just for the cost of parts.

 

[NJRonbo]

Guys,

A further update....

But first, I just want to let all of you know how much I appreciate you checking in on this thread and my situation.

I just got off the phone with Verizon. They can't come out and do the job.

The problem is the terminal box. It only has one connection in it. Did not know this, but Verizon checked on it. So, that connection is already going to the router which totally on the opposite end of the house from where I need it.

They did suggest calling an electrician to fish ethernet cable from that router, out of the house, and then across the grounds to the other end.

I could go that route but that's adding *possibly* more feet of ethernet than I expected. It's also driving up the costs.

I will think further about doing this, though.

 

[degrub]

Guys,

A further update....

But first, I just want to let all of you know how much I appreciate you checking in on this thread and my situation.

I just got off the phone with Verizon. They can't come out and do the job.

The problem is the terminal box. It only has one connection in it. Did not know this, but Verizon checked on it. So, that connection is already going to the router which totally on the opposite end of the house from where I need it.

They did suggest calling an electrician to fish ethernet cable from that router, out of the house, and then across the grounds to the other end.

I could go that route but that's adding *possibly* more feet of ethernet than I expected. It's also driving up the costs.

I will think further about doing this, though.

Have an installer (maybe security system installer with experience in RG cable/cable tv installer) - (no tight bends, correct connector/shield termination) install a RG-6 cable from near the router to the location you want through your attic. Get an Actiontec MOCA2 bonded pair of modems and a 5/8/16 port gigabit full duplex un-managed switch. Done. Add Access Point or Wireless Router. You may not need the switch if you use the router as AP.

 

[NJRonbo]

Degrub,

The attic is not an option. We looked at that. The house is split level with an addition and there is no way to wire that.

The underground method is the best, I believe. Coming off the router.

I don't know why you are suggesting the modems, though. I already have a mesh WiFi network. All I need is a direct ethernet connection from one end of the house to the other. So I am still looking at keeping it simple with just the ethernet cable and a Gigabit switch.

 

[degrub]

Degrub,

The attic is not an option. We looked at that. The house is split level with an addition and there is no way to wire that.

The underground method is the best, I believe. Coming off the router.

I don't know why you are suggesting the modems, though. I already have a mesh WiFi network. All I need is a direct ethernet connection from one end of the house to the other. So I am still looking at keeping it simple with just the ethernet cable and a Gigabit switch.

There was mention of possibly longer wire run.
If you do go outside, make sure to use a plastic conduit or flex tube ( 1 inch min D) and leave a pull cord inside in case there are issues with the distance or signals. That way you can go back with RG or other type cable if needed. If you avoid 90 or 45 els by using a long radius plastic el (essentially a bend of tube rather than a fitting), you could have a fiber cable pulled if needed. Fiber is usually only needed if the equipment at each end is on a different electrical panel earth to avoid ground loops that causes the equipment to fail or for higher bandwidth.

 

[sfx2000]

The problem is the terminal box. It only has one connection in it. Did not know this, but Verizon checked on it. So, that connection is already going to the router which totally on the opposite end of the house from where I need it.

That's odd - here in California - PacBell back in the day (now part of AT&T) was required to drop 2 pairs into each single dwelling unit, and for multiple dwelling units, they needed to provide for 2 lines for each unit. IN the SDU context, that drop is a single point for them, and it's typically at the worst possible place, lol...

(PacBell, CableCo, and Electric Utility - they try to share a common location for grounding purposes - single bond for everything)

Now that being said - with the deregulation efforts - they're only required to drop to a common single point - which is the demarcation - their side is still regulated, but the customer's premises side is unregulated and property of the owner...

For a single ethernet pull - a typical network installer will do time and material - going rate out here is around $60/hour for their time... which is cheaper than an electrician out here...

Check Criagslist perhaps - or find a cable installer that is not in a company branded truck (most of those are independent contractors, and not employees, they have an incentive to hustle, and they have all the right tools and material to do the job)

 

[NJRonbo]

Hey Guys!

Back here again to ask the professionals a question...

I am going to be having an installer bring ethernet cable into each end of my home. One end connected to my router. The other end to a Netgear switch on the opposite end of the house. The cable will be buried in the ground.

So here is the question....

I am approximating the total # of feet needed for the job. There will probably be a bit of excess ethernet cable on each end.

Does it hurt the signal any to have the excess ethernet cable rolled up in a circle? I don't know if any kind of twists or otherwise impair the signal performance. I will need to find a way of dealing with a few feet of excess cable on either end. This is not cut-to-fit cable. It comes with ethernet plugs already installed on each end.

Thanks, as always, for the help.

 

[thiggins]

Loose circle is fine. Just no sharp bends.

 

[NJRonbo]

thiggins,

You always the best! Thank You!

That gives me peace of mind that I can order a little more cable than I might actually need.