Linking a main control panel with a distant unit
Linking a main control panel with a distant unit
Connect the switches using a 24-port network closet and an 8-port hub. Assess if a single Cat 5 or 6 cable can support the required traffic.
Consider CAT 7 or fiber optic cable when both switches support those ports. For optimal speed and minimal delay, fiber optics is the best choice. With fiber, you can typically extend up to 600 feet. If fiber isn’t an option, keep the cable under 200 feet and add a switch in between—it adds some delay but boosts signal strength. Choose the highest quality shielded cable available and position it away from main power lines and other electrical equipment. For installation into drywall, use thick industrial rubber hoses to protect the cable and label the location for future replacement.
I would employ two primary switches to connect the two networks. Using several cables raises expenses and creates complications during troubleshooting. It also generates interference, resulting in packet loss and diminished bandwidth. Sticking with conventional copper wiring, choose switches that support dual link Ethernet (linking two ports) each equipped with two 10 GB/s ports. Then run two CAT 7 cables from the first to the second. Adding another switch on the opposite side for port connections would be straightforward at this stage. The sole justification for running multiple cables over that distance is when all links operate at 10 GB/s, which requires numerous all-port 10 GB/s switches—expensive. For heavy data transfers, a portable storage device and manual transport may offer better reliability and cost-effectiveness in the long run, even if hiring assistance is necessary.
Haha, that's a great question. If runs are limited to 80 or 100 feet, you'd likely run cables directly instead of using switches. Having two switches—one near the desks and another in the closet—plus a fiber link between them would make sense. It’s probably best to use those connectors for the fiber connection, like SFPs or Cat7 cables. Thanks for asking, it’s really helpful to understand this!
Catx cable is designed for 100 meters, as specified in the documentation, and any shorter distance won’t significantly affect latency. Fiber can handle distances of many kilometers. Cat7 follows an ISO standard, not TIA/EIA requirements.
Multimode typically ranges from 300 to 500 meters, with speeds around 100G and beyond limited to about 200–300 meters. Single mode performance depends on the optic, offering speeds from 2 km in lower ranges up to 120 km in higher ones. Other technologies like PON can affect these measurements, but for simplicity I’ll omit them.
Choose a single Cat5e cable when the distance between switches is minimal. For 10G to the main switch, fiber is best but Cat6a up to 100m works too. To add complexity and reliability, use two switches at the core with a fast connection between them and links back to each desk switch. For simplicity now, one cable suffices, but as your network expands and you need redundancy, consider tiered setups like 3-tier or collapsed 2-tier/mesh networks.