I can assist you with your father's network. What specific help do you need?
I can assist you with your father's network. What specific help do you need?
Hello. Let's begin by expressing my gratitude to this community for their wonderful support over the years I've spent here. My issue began with my father's network setup within the building. He owns a large house, but the internal cabling is quite outdated. The installer mistakenly used old phone cables instead of modern CAT cables, which left the house with poor network performance. Another challenge is the house's size and brick construction, which significantly weakens WiFi signals throughout.
I've come up with some solutions, but I lack the expertise, so I'm reaching out for your guidance. Starting with the router: The Huawei HG8245Q (Fiber) is located on the second floor, near where our sleeping areas are situated. Right there you can see the old phone cables scattered around the house. Inside the main area, the remaining cables are still in place—though I believe replacing them with CAT cables is necessary. I'm planning to hire an expert soon for this task.
The interesting part is each room has an Ethernet port that's completely unusable due to the old cables. In the next picture, you'll see the central hub on the first floor. This core connects to a secondary network, and unlike the main hub, it provides access to areas like the garden and the street ISP connection.
My proposal is to install a server rack that will give full internet access via the existing Ethernet ports. It may seem messy, but these cables are meant for a specific future use—the white ones are fiber cables running from the ISP all the way into the core.
I'm unsure about server racks suitable for homes, so your advice would be invaluable. Additionally, I need recommendations for reliable brands that balance quality and cost. Your thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thank you!
I don’t understand the concept of a home server well, but I can help you figure it out. You mentioned outdated cables and testing them, so you’re likely looking for a way to share internet access across multiple rooms. If a server rack isn’t available, consider using a router or modem that supports Wi-Fi or Ethernet expansion. You could also explore mesh networking solutions or extend your existing setup with additional cables. Let me know if you’d like guidance on any of these options.
Most folks rely on wireless connections at home, yet I appreciate the advantages of wired setups. Your response made me wonder if you meant to combine two cables with three connectors each and then merge them into an Ethernet port, or if you were considering using a router alongside a few 4-port switches in the network paths.
According to the advice given, these cables are quite old—likely from around 2000—and aren’t suitable for modern Ethernet use. Focus on practical solutions rather than getting bogged down in outdated tech. Stick with what works for your setup, especially since you’re aiming to integrate a server rack without unnecessary complications. The router idea isn’t viable here because the infrastructure is solid and reliable, not fragile.
Check for e-cycler groups nearby—they often trade used racks and similar gear. I bought a 42u APC rack (about 6.5 feet tall) from a local shop for $100. How much space do you have available for the enclosure? Wiring cables together as suggested isn’t ideal advice; they might not even be UTP. Also, using “router” isn’t clear when it comes to wireless setups.
A server isn't useful for spreading a network—whether wired or wireless. You need a dedicated router with built-in switching to link to your cables and fiber modem. The router manages all devices in your wired setup and sends internet access throughout the house. For wireless areas, install one or more access points, preferably on each floor to ensure strong signals. These access points connect via wires to your network, while the router processes all data. Think of the router as the core that ties everything together.
Example choices:
- Strong wired router with firewall (no wireless) – https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a...01ZK-00003
- Premium access points – https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a...0005-000V6
- NAS for storage and streaming – https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a...6822107532
The connection is CAT 3, which means it's a standard cable. A single pair should suffice for voice calls. The bundle you received includes multiple pairs—beige, orange with stripes, blue with stripes—which are adequate for speeds up to 100Mbps. It appears to be a straight line, so each jack in the house is tied to one point, making it unsuitable for independent operation. While it can handle Ethernet traffic, the setup likely functions more like a hub. The auto-negotiation probably didn't work due to incorrect termination or patch cable mismatch. Issues may arise if you attempt to use it as a pull string because of junctions in the wiring. There doesn’t seem to be a patch panel or punch box near the main outlets, suggesting random splicing throughout. If your family uses a landline, pulling that cable could affect other phone connections depending on the layout. The crowded conduits indicate limited space for expansion; running cables along ceilings and drilling into rooms might be more practical. Consider using Wi-Fi instead. You could also explore mesh networks or powerline Ethernet with APs in desired areas. If you're outside the U.S., installing the wire is cost-effective. If you're in the U.S., a proper wireless setup would be cheaper. If you lack networking knowledge, hiring a professional to evaluate both options and provide a quote would be wise.