Ethernet Wiring of the house - few questions

[Kdar]

Plan to do it tomorrow, got everything that I need today.

I picked up wall plates with two places for Ethernet jacks.

Can those jacks be connected by same Ethernet wire? like in series or something? or be split.. etc... (I am not sure if it is possible).

Or I need each wire (2 of them) to trace back to my garage, where I will have switch, router.. etc

[handy]

One cable per plug back to the switch in your garage is required.

[sdowney717]

cant split Ethernet connections, the splitting is handled by a router.
I would guess you need to think of this like a radial web where it all ties back to a central router access point. You can link multiple routers together. They can either function as routers or a dumb hub.
When they work as a hub, you plug the outgoing LAN line from the main source router into the LAN of the second router and turn off DHCP on the second router.
Or you can plug it into the WAN of the second router and double NAT with DHCP on both. There is a lot of ways to link things up.

I have 2 wireless routers in my house. One is just acting like a hub. And it passes out the wireless connection just fine with WPA security.
Well actually 3 routers, one is a voip router.

[jflaker]

Unless your house is huge where you would be further than 150 feet from your access point, why not get a wireless router and enough wireless cards for your computers?

That way, if you decide to move your computer, all you need to do is *Move the computer*.

I have only 2 wired clients out of 6 computers because they are in the same room as the router. The others are 2 rooms away and work great wirelessly and no holes in the walls.

Wires are great, but do not lend themselves to change very well....

Just a thought.

[v1ad]

its better to pull 2 wires. that way no setup hassle, and also faster transfer speeds between computers. wire needed? cat5, if money to spare cat6

[Kdar]

well, I will be building a server and HTPC, so I kind of want to have a direct connection.

Thanks for your replied, I will use two wires.

Does anyone know how far should I put my ethernet plugs from electrical plug? Somewhere I was reading it is 12".

[v1ad]

6" minimum if wires are side by side with electrical wires but they can cross when you pull. 12" preferred.

[handy]

If money is tight, Cat5e will allow you to use gigabit speed, providing your cable runs aren't too long.

[Kdar]

I think the longest run will be like 60ft

[v1ad]

your perfectly fine, the longest run that you could run is 300 feet. have fun pulling the wire.

[CharlesA]

Just be sure to use plenum-rated cable.

Are you going to go all out and get a patch panel, or just run them to a switch?

[v1ad]

plenum cable is more for commercial use and it is more expensive, the difference in plenum cable and regular cable is the shielding, plenum is not toxic so when it burns it does not release toxics.... if your house burns down i am sure you won't care.

and by the router i would just put a 2 port wall plate so you won't need two holes for wall plates.

[CharlesA]

plenum cable is more for commercial use and it is more expensive, the difference in plenum cable and regular cable is the shielding, plenum is not toxic so when it burns it does not release toxics.... if your house burns down i am sure you won't care

It is part of building codes (fire codes too). I'd rather have cable that doesn't release as many toxins if there was a fire.

[Kdar]

your perfectly fine, the longest run that you could run is 300 feet. have fun pulling the wire.

oh ok. Nice :)
Thanks. I am sure going to enjoy this little project.. then build server and HTPC and everything will be like I want :)

[v1ad]

It is part of building codes (fire codes too). I'd rather have cable that doesn't release as many toxins if there was a fire.

hmm that code applies for commercial only, or at least in California but for residential its personal preference, if he wants to fork that price, quite a hefty price difference. (pulled a lot of cat5 in commercial and residential work area's)

[Kdar]

Just be sure to use plenum-rated cable.

Are you going to go all out and get a patch panel, or just run them to a switch?

Yes. I got plenum. It cost a bit a lot... like $70 for 250ft... I hope it will be enough.

I probably will get patch panel, maybe it will be easier to install.
Maybe get this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16831101002&cm_re=patch_panel-_-31-101-002-_-Product

[CharlesA]

Patch panel looks good. Rated for gigabit speeds.

Have you thought about using a gigabit switch, or just your router being hooked up to it?

[v1ad]

for 2 cat5s ?
let me give you the spec sheets
4 of http://www.homedepot.com/Electrical-Voice-Data-Communications/Leviton/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xglZbm2cZwc/R-100020255/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

2 of http://www.homedepot.com/Electrical-Wall-Plates/Leviton/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xglZbm8mZwc/R-100181794/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

1 of by router http://www.homedepot.com/Electrical-Wall-Plates/Leviton/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xglZbm8mZwc/R-100117817/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

save a bit of money and space.
i just have a habit of making everything at minimum space consumption and compatibility.

[CharlesA]

If you only have 2 drops going, might as well not bother with a patch panel. If you want to wire the whole house, you'd be better off to use a patch panel.

[Kdar]

well, no. 2 for each room.
Two per plug (per single wall-plate)

So 8 in total (for 4 rooms in my house... but I have other rooms which I might wire in future).



for 2 cat5s ?
let me give you the spec sheets
4 of http://www.homedepot.com/Electrical-Voice-Data-Communications/Leviton/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xglZbm2cZwc/R-100020255/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

2 of http://www.homedepot.com/Electrical-Wall-Plates/Leviton/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xglZbm8mZwc/R-100181794/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

1 of by router http://www.homedepot.com/Electrical-Wall-Plates/Leviton/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xglZbm8mZwc/R-100117817/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

save a bit of money and space.
i just have a habit of making everything at minimum space consumption and compatibility.

Yes, I got those.

[Kdar]

Patch panel looks good. Rated for gigabit speeds.

Have you thought about using a gigabit switch, or just your router being hooked up to it?

I might use switch.
Can you recommend me something?

[v1ad]

4 port wall plate, 2 port wall plate in rooms. you won't need a switch until you go more than 4. if you will go more than 4 just add a second wall plate by it and add a switch. the big patch panel is not really needed in my opinion. if you want to really hide it. get a leviton media panel and cut it into a wall install modem, router, switch in media panel. thats optional.

[handy]

I might use switch.
Can you recommend me something?

HP make a nice 8 port gigabit managed switch, can't remember it's name, but it is what I will be using before too long.

A quick search will find it for you.

[Edit:] This is it:

http://www.superwarehouse.com/HP_ProCurve_1810G-8_8_Port_Switch/J9449AABA/p/1569199

[CharlesA]

I might use switch.
Can you recommend me something?

The one I am using is this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127082

It's unmanaged, but does support VLANs and whatnot. It's hooked up my my router (10/100) with a simple Cat5e patch cable. Internet network is gigabit tho.

[Kdar]

4 port wall plate, 2 port wall plate in rooms. you won't need a switch until you go more than 4. if you will go more than 4 just add a second wall plate by it and add a switch. the big patch panel is not really needed in my opinion. if you want to really hide it. get a leviton media panel and cut it into a wall install modem, router, switch in media panel. thats optional.

I will end up with 8 wires going into garage. and might me more if I will wire other rooms.

mmm.. I need to run all those wires to my garage right?

[v1ad]

its all personal preference. keep it in the same place where your modem will be in. and out of the way so you won't have to see it, or stumble over it. basically you will set it up and forget about it. if i did it for myself i would just run the wires through a open wall plate and put in cat5 connectors on the end. (rj45) but i have the tools.

[cascade9]

Unless your house is huge where you would be further than 150 feet from your access point, why not get a wireless router and enough wireless cards for your computers?

That way, if you decide to move your computer, all you need to do is *Move the computer*.

I have only 2 wired clients out of 6 computers because they are in the same room as the router. The others are 2 rooms away and work great wirelessly and no holes in the walls.

Wires are great, but do not lend themselves to change very well....

Just a thought.

2nd option- powerline ethernet adapters, eg-

http://www.netgear.com/Products/PowerlineNetworking/PowerlineEthernetAdapters/HDX101.aspx

Not that this helps the OP anymore, but I just thought I'd chuck this in as well.

[Kdar]

I bought those http://www.homedepot.com/Electrical-Wall-Plates/Leviton/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xglZbm8mZwc/R-100117817/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
(total 4 of them, one for each room).

Or do you think I just should get those for each room?

http://www.homedepot.com/Electrical-Wall-Plates/Leviton/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xglZbm8mZwc/R-100181794/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053