Setting up a new home network
Setting up a new home network
I’m planning to purchase a split-level home built in the 1970s. Electrical upgrades are required, including networking and coax connections. There should be space in the utility room for a rack setup. The current internet is DSL; if local cable ISPs don’t cover that address, I’ll order Starlink. I’m installing wiring for upstairs, downstairs, and garage access points. A switch will be necessary. To save costs, I’m considering 1Gbps or 2.5Gb equipment. The motherboard is 2.5 gigabits; I’ll have several consoles and streaming TVs. I’m evaluating a 20-24U rack for future NAS or Plex installations.
My view on in-wall low voltage wiring after living with it for a long time is that things can change unexpectedly without warning, which might or might not lead to issues. A better solution (but costly) would be using NM conduit for all low voltage connections. Since connectors are often included, the NM must be large enough to fit both the connector and the cable inside. A 1½-inch size is very expensive but allows you to route connectors through pipes. The existing wire might not be optimal now because copper was cheaper back then. An electrician once suggested running 12-gauge for every wire, even if unnecessary, because it offers more flexibility later on—eventually worth the extra cost upfront. I’ve learned that right. One benefit of this approach is that if you also handle regular electrical work and install pull cords in the pipes, you can save money by doing it yourself instead of hiring an electrician. Preparing everything yourself can be cheaper overall. Electricians can charge a lot per hour, so a DIY setup might be more economical if you factor in your time. The numbers need careful calculation to confirm actual savings. Total labor could end up higher when including your time, but it depends on how valuable your time is. Edited August 2, 2022 by Bombastinator
I'm not quite sure what you're asking. My previous home had cat5e and coax, but I later regretted the coax—it turned out to be a waste of time and money. Even with cable internet, the boxes are now wireless or Ethernet, and I used a cable modem in bridge mode in the basement where the cable line enters. I've never run a coax connection before. For better performance, set up the network using cat6; cat5e should work for speeds around 2.5Gbps if it's not too long, but cat6 can handle up to 10Gbps for future needs.
I found a patch panel that could grow with more cables. Organizing all the Ethernet lines at the switch made a big difference. Looking back, I’m in agreement with @Allan B about using coaxial only when necessary. Today’s devices mostly stream over the internet, so we usually stick to Ethernet. When I needed Cat5e connections, I asked the electrician to run them side by side with the coaxial, since they’d start from the same wall plates and end at the same point. That saved me a lot of time and effort. Now I only crimp the ends and connect everything—most fixed devices today use Ethernet instead.
Starlink will reach gigabit speeds eventually. I also intend to set up a Plex server and NAS.
Patch panels sit only at the very edge of my Ken, yet they make sense even if strictly considered unnecessary. A home network can quickly become a tangled mess. Using patch panels through conduit also adds practicality. You wouldn’t need to remove walls just because Cat5e isn’t sufficient anymore. Cat3 is outdated, though I have plenty of it around. I had to let it stay where it was. Edited August 5, 2022 by Bombastinator