I am planning a home network in a new construction. The more I read, the more confused I get, although I found a lot of good information. I don’t want to pay a guy $3,000 to install this. I just about have this worked out in my head.
This is a four bedroom house. I know I want:
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1 Cat 6 jack behind the tv in the family room.
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3 Cat 6 jacks on media shelf for bluray, HTPC, Cable box.
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1 Cat 6 jack in the master bedroom.
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1 Cat 6 jack in each of the other three bedrooms.
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1 Cat 6 jack in breakfast nook.
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2 Cat 6 jacks in office on opposite ends of the room.
What I’ve read says to run the 11 solid core wires from the wall jacks to a patch panel. The patch panel would then connect 11 stranded core wires with RJ45 connectors on both ends to a switch. What I don’t understand is what connects to the front of the switch. Do I connect all 11 inputs with the router as the twelfth?
My equipment right now is a Comcast telephone/cable modem/router combo. I have an aftermarket router that I bought a while back that I plan to use when we move.
One installer said I don’t need a patch panel. I think I read an article on CNET that said patch panels aren't used very often now that switches are cheaper. That’s part of the reason why I’m confused. I haven't found anything that says you can go directly from a wall to a switch while they are supposed to be using two different types of cable.
Best Answer
You can definitely go directly from the wires coming out of the wall directly to a switch, but a patch panel is cleaner. Basically, wires coming from the various locations to a central room. Big mass of cables come out of the ceiling/wall - and - who knows what wire goes to what room? Labels - fall off, get sticky... Wires punched to a panel - cleaner and neater. The panels are numbered so #1 breakfast nook, #2 MBR... always know, never changes. Easier to troubleshoot.
From patch panel to switch (can be mounted on same mini rack) with 1'-3' cables. Then 1 cable from either UPLINK port on switch or just any port on switch to the router. From the router to main cable modem/dsl modem...
Yeah, you have the additional expense of a patch panel. Take a look around - they used to sell them at even places like Home Depot - they're not that expensive and you only buy them once. As far as the patch cables - again - one-time purchase.