wiring house without existing wires question. hardware and recommendations
- Thread starter EngChi
- Start date
L&LD
Part of the Furniture
Ask away. If needed, a mod will move it as necessary. 
With a clean slate this is what I aim for:
A non basement central location for all the cable runs (to avoid flooding issues).
Multiple (and extra) cable runs to 'All' rooms in the home, even if not needed today (I would suggest a minimum of 4 CAT6e cable runs to all such locations). You may even want to double this if you want ease of access on multiple walls of each room too.
Multiple and 2 extra cable runs to 'All' central locations where a main WiFi router might be placed (I would suggest a minimum of 12 CAT6e cable runs to all such locations). Also critical is the height of the router placement, and I recommend at least 10' above ground level (not just floor level) and with a minimum of 3' clearance between all walls and ceilings too. Why so many runs here? To be able to take advantage of even an 9 port (1WAN and 8LAN) router such as the already available RT-AC88U.
At least two CAT6e cable runs to anywhere an AP might be placed. Just as with the main WiFi router, the placement is critical so place the 10' above ground level (except for the basement, obviously) and at least 3' clearance between all walls and ceilings too.
Any 'extra' cable runs are for redundancy and will have minimal cost difference (particularly if you and a few buddies can actually run the cables themselves and let the 'pro' do the terminations and testing of the runs afterwards.
With the above wiring in place, you will be able to configure and upgrade your network as needed to 10GbE speeds (and that 'need' is coming sooner than you may think) effortlessly and also configure and reconfigure from a single main WiFi router 'today' to a dedicated main wired router to a few AP strategically placed in the home without so much as breaking a sweat at that time (at least with regards to wiring).
With a clean slate this is what I aim for:
A non basement central location for all the cable runs (to avoid flooding issues).
Multiple (and extra) cable runs to 'All' rooms in the home, even if not needed today (I would suggest a minimum of 4 CAT6e cable runs to all such locations). You may even want to double this if you want ease of access on multiple walls of each room too.
Multiple and 2 extra cable runs to 'All' central locations where a main WiFi router might be placed (I would suggest a minimum of 12 CAT6e cable runs to all such locations). Also critical is the height of the router placement, and I recommend at least 10' above ground level (not just floor level) and with a minimum of 3' clearance between all walls and ceilings too. Why so many runs here? To be able to take advantage of even an 9 port (1WAN and 8LAN) router such as the already available RT-AC88U.
At least two CAT6e cable runs to anywhere an AP might be placed. Just as with the main WiFi router, the placement is critical so place the 10' above ground level (except for the basement, obviously) and at least 3' clearance between all walls and ceilings too.
Any 'extra' cable runs are for redundancy and will have minimal cost difference (particularly if you and a few buddies can actually run the cables themselves and let the 'pro' do the terminations and testing of the runs afterwards.
With the above wiring in place, you will be able to configure and upgrade your network as needed to 10GbE speeds (and that 'need' is coming sooner than you may think) effortlessly and also configure and reconfigure from a single main WiFi router 'today' to a dedicated main wired router to a few AP strategically placed in the home without so much as breaking a sweat at that time (at least with regards to wiring).
sfx2000
Part of the Furniture
If you're pulling wire, always pull two - don't have to terminate the second drop, but stuff it in the box with enough slack to terminate to the keystone plate.
The labor is the hard part, the wire is cheap... which is why I suggest pull two at the same time...
As for cable - if you've got a spool of CAT5/CAT5E compliant wire, that's good enough... CAT5 is probably good enough for most homes, the spans aren't that long..
CAT6 (there is no such thing as CAT6E, btw) - CAT6A there is, and if you have cheap access to it, go ahead - but it's probably overkill...
The labor is the hard part, the wire is cheap... which is why I suggest pull two at the same time...
As for cable - if you've got a spool of CAT5/CAT5E compliant wire, that's good enough... CAT5 is probably good enough for most homes, the spans aren't that long..
CAT6 (there is no such thing as CAT6E, btw) - CAT6A there is, and if you have cheap access to it, go ahead - but it's probably overkill...
Thank you guys, below were my original questions and I think at least cabling is answered. My hope to pull once something I can potentially use for 10Gb downstream as hardware cost for corresponding speeds would come down.
"
Preparing to make and offer on a house built in 1990 that has no existing networking wiring other than coax to various rooms for purposes of TV . Since my professional work is in the area that requires fair amount of technology (data management, data architecture, db development/administration), I would like to plan the work needed to prepare the house post purchase, thus questions. We hope to stay at location, in this house for 20 years (after kids grow up), so higher priority longer term focus vs immediate cost savings
1. Internal wiring - what cabling is a good balance in terms of performance/price. when I did current house 5 years ago I simply run cat5e everywhere, is this still the case or Cat6/Cat7 worth review now for 10G speeds with 1G backwards compatibility?
2. there is enough equipment with likely more coming that makes me think about building/buying a rack . Anything I need to keep in mind as I do this?
"
"
Preparing to make and offer on a house built in 1990 that has no existing networking wiring other than coax to various rooms for purposes of TV . Since my professional work is in the area that requires fair amount of technology (data management, data architecture, db development/administration), I would like to plan the work needed to prepare the house post purchase, thus questions. We hope to stay at location, in this house for 20 years (after kids grow up), so higher priority longer term focus vs immediate cost savings
1. Internal wiring - what cabling is a good balance in terms of performance/price. when I did current house 5 years ago I simply run cat5e everywhere, is this still the case or Cat6/Cat7 worth review now for 10G speeds with 1G backwards compatibility?
2. there is enough equipment with likely more coming that makes me think about building/buying a rack . Anything I need to keep in mind as I do this?
"
Few questions as I read it
- with multiple runs of cables to each room, we very quickly start to talk about a lot of cables (4 bedrooms, living room, family room, as core, with kitchen/laundry/dining room/etc as extras). where do you terminate all of that cabling without having to use 48 port switches??
- speaking of switches , what should I go for since I know I will have at least 15 wired devices already without any new hardware that I am thinking about. server+workstations + network phone/printer/tuner/set top boxes , all add up..
- here is my thread on Anandtech regarding virtualization needs and server (for RDBMS testing).
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2480382
this thread lead me to refurb enterprise software resellers like Natex including their networking equipment.
http://www.natex.us/Used-Networking-Equipment-s/1848.htm?searching=Y&sort=1&cat=1848&show=10&page=1
Am I insane to consider equipment from them or what factors I should be thinking about if I do? i.e. if I get refurb Cisco device EOLed by manufacturer I would have no way to get their firmware or any updates (as I do not have any support contracts with Cisco). Anything else?
- with multiple runs of cables to each room, we very quickly start to talk about a lot of cables (4 bedrooms, living room, family room, as core, with kitchen/laundry/dining room/etc as extras). where do you terminate all of that cabling without having to use 48 port switches??
- speaking of switches , what should I go for since I know I will have at least 15 wired devices already without any new hardware that I am thinking about. server+workstations + network phone/printer/tuner/set top boxes , all add up..
- here is my thread on Anandtech regarding virtualization needs and server (for RDBMS testing).
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2480382
this thread lead me to refurb enterprise software resellers like Natex including their networking equipment.
http://www.natex.us/Used-Networking-Equipment-s/1848.htm?searching=Y&sort=1&cat=1848&show=10&page=1
Am I insane to consider equipment from them or what factors I should be thinking about if I do? i.e. if I get refurb Cisco device EOLed by manufacturer I would have no way to get their firmware or any updates (as I do not have any support contracts with Cisco). Anything else?
sfx2000
Part of the Furniture
Sounds great - best of luck on the offer and closing...
20 years is a long time - speaking first hand being here at Case de SFX for 25 - being nailed down, I've passed on more than a few career opportunities that would have been great, but like you, it's the kids and a stable environment.
Priorities are important - like you, for me it was family, and I left a good career in the defense space, and moved over into something similar but different - ended up good - a couple of dry spells, but I'm at a great company that lets me work at home these days.
So make sure you have that spare room wired up for the home office - maybe more than a couple of pairs in that room...
sfx2000
Part of the Furniture
Stay away from the EOL stuff - it's cheap, but sometimes licenses can be a problem - eg no license, doesn't work any more...
Thank you SFX , future will come - as soon as that is done then the adventure of selling our current home would start with all of the fun of being on the other side of negotiations.
as for career, I hear you - my path is hopefully similar. 20 years in IT for me already as I started early, did everything around data (develop, implement, administer/tune) and data management (data quality, intelligence, analytics, etc.). ended up in senior management with great pay, benefits, with a lot of power but constantly burned out by having to be it as go to person and in charge of budgets, people, tech direction , product ownership, vendor management, contract negotiations, near constant travel, and constant politics with very A type personalities. a rude wake up was when Ritz breakfast crew in a different city knew exactly what I want without me ordering, way too much time spent in other cities , even on generous expense accounts.
now I am unemployed/self employed consultant considering to what extent I want to work next. I have enough money for us for the rest of our lives using our current spending and while I absolutely love time with my girls (4.5 and 1) and want more of it, I also really enjoy technology tinkering, love problem solving, and complex challenges. future will come. may be downstream I would also see a non-management position I am willing to live with to have opportunity to continue learning, chance for more formal professional interaction , and ability to apply everything I know to solve problems..
for spare room, that is the intent - formerly as DBA and later tech executive, my systems were around the globe, and as long as I had secure connection (RUP device installed in my office which extended corporate network in my home location automatically) it did not matter where I was. the downside, it also extended work hours previously. as first generation immigrant, I also rely heavily on internet as communication utility, my TV is over internet (we have no cable), my phone is Obihai+GVoice, pfsense as firewall with WAN balancing included, my friends and family is on multiple continents, reliable/resilient network and ISPs are a must. thus some of my questions.
, future will come - as soon as that is done then the adventure of selling our current home would start with all of the fun of being on the other side of negotiations.as for career, I hear you - my path is hopefully similar. 20 years in IT for me already as I started early, did everything around data (develop, implement, administer/tune) and data management (data quality, intelligence, analytics, etc.). ended up in senior management with great pay, benefits, with a lot of power but constantly burned out by having to be it as go to person and in charge of budgets, people, tech direction , product ownership, vendor management, contract negotiations, near constant travel, and constant politics with very A type personalities. a rude wake up was when Ritz breakfast crew in a different city knew exactly what I want without me ordering, way too much time spent in other cities , even on generous expense accounts.
now I am unemployed/self employed consultant considering to what extent I want to work next. I have enough money for us for the rest of our lives using our current spending and while I absolutely love time with my girls (4.5 and 1) and want more of it, I also really enjoy technology tinkering, love problem solving, and complex challenges. future will come. may be downstream I would also see a non-management position I am willing to live with to have opportunity to continue learning, chance for more formal professional interaction , and ability to apply everything I know to solve problems..
for spare room, that is the intent - formerly as DBA and later tech executive, my systems were around the globe, and as long as I had secure connection (RUP device installed in my office which extended corporate network in my home location automatically) it did not matter where I was. the downside, it also extended work hours previously. as first generation immigrant, I also rely heavily on internet as communication utility, my TV is over internet (we have no cable), my phone is Obihai+GVoice, pfsense as firewall with WAN balancing included, my friends and family is on multiple continents, reliable/resilient network and ISPs are a must. thus some of my questions.
sfx2000
Part of the Furniture
It'll all land well - trust me - all those skills...
You're in the role of an entrapaneur - it's your business to build, and I've got a good guess that you'll be successful at it - keep in touch with your business network - and you'll land the gigs...
I did this for a couple of years back in the financial collapse in 2009/2011 - and went back into corporate on my terms - wasn't unemployed, was independent
Or Not Safe For Work - lol - seriously though, in many ways it was the best thing that ever happened for me, as being an independent running my own business, it focused me on certain things - it wasn't just the technical skills, but getting a better understanding of the business environment - and going back into Corp, I had a much better understanding of what I was bringing into the company, and the negotiations from there.
Best of luck - no matter where you go - nice meeting you.
sfx2000
Part of the Furniture
and for what it's worth - been there, done that - and happy to let go of the Hilton Diamond and Star Alliance status stuff...
Life has been so much better not living out of a suitcase... you're on the right track - and the getting away from the 24/7 lifestyle - you will be healthier for that one..
And we don't need a project t-shirt for that one...
sfx2000
Part of the Furniture
Anyways - getting back on track - building up a small home lab, it's all about restraint - focus on the essentials and where the industry is headed - otherwise you'll end up with a heck of a space heater, and a full rack of servers, lol... virtualization and SDN - make your own private cloud, and it doesn't take a lot of resources to do that - and IoT is full of opportunities
L&LD
Part of the Furniture
A couple of quick notes to my previous post.
Not all cable runs need to be connected to anything (yet).
Do not agree that CAT5 is worth the future hassle or cost savings.
CAT6e is available, but I agree that CAT6a is the minimum quality of cable I would run today for the next 20 or so years.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002C8RMZO/?tag=snbforums-20
sfx2000, it exists!
Not all cable runs need to be connected to anything (yet).
Do not agree that CAT5 is worth the future hassle or cost savings.
CAT6e is available, but I agree that CAT6a is the minimum quality of cable I would run today for the next 20 or so years.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002C8RMZO/?tag=snbforums-20
sfx2000, it exists!
Thank you guys
so - CAT6 for internal wiring? any major differences to be aware of in terms of shielded/not shielded , copper vs CCA? would both support 10G when it comes to it? or does it have to do with things like PoE
- what do I punch it into in terms of panel? any recommendations for something that could have 40+ cables ? I am considering panel to make this whole design modular (and swap switches as technology changes)
- for WiFi, it would be 2600 sq foot house , probably too large for single access point. I heard of Ubiquiti, any alternatives to consider ? how important is PoE or does it come primarily to whether you have access to power already at the location of the AP install ? good tools for picking AP locations besides common sense (ceiling, centrally located away from walls)? any recommendations? I am more interested in having coverage and having it stay up than raw speed
- switching, what should I be looking for?
My current design is physically simple - 2 floors and basement in smaller bungalow. a main 'trunk' of Cat5E connects the floors with cheap $20 8 ports 'switches' on each floor to extend the network. 1st floor panel consolidates phone/cable/network/etc as that is where things are coming to. bedrooms not wired.
so - CAT6 for internal wiring? any major differences to be aware of in terms of shielded/not shielded , copper vs CCA? would both support 10G when it comes to it? or does it have to do with things like PoE
- what do I punch it into in terms of panel? any recommendations for something that could have 40+ cables ? I am considering panel to make this whole design modular (and swap switches as technology changes)
- for WiFi, it would be 2600 sq foot house , probably too large for single access point. I heard of Ubiquiti, any alternatives to consider ? how important is PoE or does it come primarily to whether you have access to power already at the location of the AP install ? good tools for picking AP locations besides common sense (ceiling, centrally located away from walls)? any recommendations? I am more interested in having coverage and having it stay up than raw speed
- switching, what should I be looking for?
My current design is physically simple - 2 floors and basement in smaller bungalow. a main 'trunk' of Cat5E connects the floors with cheap $20 8 ports 'switches' on each floor to extend the network. 1st floor panel consolidates phone/cable/network/etc as that is where things are coming to. bedrooms not wired.
Two CAT5E to each room is plenty. Maybe another run to an office where you would like to be able to connect back separately to the central switch/router.
Try to get the run to wherever your family media center is located near where your flatscreen will be. You'll want any streaming gear connected via Ethernet.
One thing I missed when I did my place was coax to my attic for an OTA antenna.
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/basics/lanwan-basics/24222-howtohomenetpt1
Most of the CAT5e I ran remains unused to this day. DECT 6.0 phones have great range for those of us still with landlines.
Try to get the run to wherever your family media center is located near where your flatscreen will be. You'll want any streaming gear connected via Ethernet.
One thing I missed when I did my place was coax to my attic for an OTA antenna.
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/basics/lanwan-basics/24222-howtohomenetpt1
Most of the CAT5e I ran remains unused to this day. DECT 6.0 phones have great range for those of us still with landlines.
sfx2000
Part of the Furniture
I would be amiss to mention that the utility room, garage, and the HVAC central location (including where the thermostat is located) - run some drops into those locations to get ahead of SmartHome needs.
Also, if you decide to pull wire, consider RG6 Coaxial Cable to the primary living space from the demarcation point.
Also, if you decide to pull wire, consider RG6 Coaxial Cable to the primary living space from the demarcation point.
CaptainSTX
Part of the Furniture
Just a FYI for APs and the advantage of using POE to power them is that you then can connect the POE switch or multiport injector into your UPS to keep WiFi up during brief power outages. Same for using POE from a central location to power networked home automation devices.
CaptainSTX
Part of the Furniture
Search on YouTube for data wiring as well as fishing wiring in general.
sfx2000
Part of the Furniture
Sometimes it's better to let a specialist do it - as they'll do it right the first time, and generally they'll backup their work...
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