Looking for guidance on setting up network outlets in your new house?
Looking for guidance on setting up network outlets in your new house?
I’m looking for advice on a networking project I’m planning. After buying my first home, I found myself wanting to learn something new—especially since I’m not very comfortable with wireless setups. The router is on the first floor, while my two offices are in the basement. I want to avoid messy cables and instead run dedicated connections through walls. I’m considering replacing old network or TV cables with modern CAT6a cables and using them for both office locations. I’m curious if others have done this before and what their experiences were like. My goal is to have three network contacts in my living room on the first floor, each connected via its own cable to the router. One contact goes to each office, and they’ll connect back through wall sockets. I’m wondering if it’s practical to run multiple cables inside the wall or if it would be better to use separate sockets for each device. Thanks for any tips or stories!
Initially, these sockets are known as RJ45 connectors. You can install one cable for two sockets, but I suggest using several Cat6a cables instead. While a single cable might seem simpler, there are specific cables designed to bundle multiple Cat6a connections together—this isn’t necessary for such a small setup. You don’t require Cat 7 or 8, and most online options are Cat6a. I advise using keystone jacks along with matching faceplates. This approach simplifies installation and makes adding more cables straightforward by swapping in new faceplates and keystones. With keystone connections, it’s crucial to properly terminate the cables; incorrect termination can cause signal loss. (Note: Keystone jacks aren’t limited to RJ45—they also come in USB, coaxial, HDMI, or 3.5mm forms.) Edit2: For certain connectors, you may need crimping tools, whereas keystones usually don’t require any special equipment.
Avoid connecting one cable to two sockets. Ensure each socket has its own cable. They offer plates with various numbers of sockets—2/3/4/6—and some sites let you personalize them. You can add features like HDMI or audio ports. I think you're talking about the traditional coaxial cable for connecting cables to TVs. You can slip your Ethernet cables through the existing coax and secure them with electrical tape while removing the old one.
Cat7 isn't an official TIA/EIA standard, so skip the hassle and opt for proper Cat8 cable—expect to pay around $1000+ for 500 feet versus about $100-200 for 1000 feet with similar 10Gbps speeds. Cat8.1 supports 25Gbps while Cat8.2 handles 40Gbps, but no current product uses these speeds; copper maxes out at 10Gbps today, likely to stay that way due to heat concerns. As mentioned before, you need one wire per outlet, so four outlets in one area mean four wires totaling to that location.
When buying cables, steer clear of products that reference CCA or aluminum—it doesn’t meet the required standards and some firms may substitute for cost savings. Pure copper is more typical, though Cat5e cables sometimes include it; a few Cat6 and Cat6a models also feature it. Amazon was the main issue I noticed, but others appear and disappear. Locating a local spool and verifying its composition would be ideal.