Well, summer's here, and I have a lot more free time on my hands to do some things I've always wanted to get done. One of the most imporant things is getting network cable down to my basement. All my computer stuff is upstairs right now:
Right now, every room that has a computer in it has one CAT5e cable running to it. Wiring the other rooms upstairs isn't too difficult; I just go into the attic, find where the room is below me, drill between studs, and drop the cable down. Getting through the differnt floors in my house is a horse of a different colour.
First off, some things about the network are going to change when it goes to the basement. There will be a server in the basement that acts as a domain controller for my LAN and VPN. There will be a wireless router in the basement and WAPs placed throughout the house where my dad and I might be using our laptops. I want to have it so each room as a direct connection to the basement (ie. no switch upstairs) but that can be done once I can get at least one cable to the basement; therefore, all switches and routers and my DSL modem will move to the basement. As you see, most of my network stuff, instead of being spread out upstairs, will be moved to the basement.
Now, for the fun stuff: how do I get network cable from the upstairs to the basement? It will most likely drop down behind the walls through my brother's room. The biggest problem here is getting it through the main floor of the house. Also, the basement is completely finished with drywall (and insulation). My dad suggested a couple ideas, but naturally, I decided to post on [H]. He said it's possible to go outside and drop the wire down the side of the house (both my brother's room and the room in the basement I want the network stuff to be in face the same side of the house). He also mentioned something about using the ventilation ducts to get the cable through the different levels in the house.
So now I call to all of you for help. How do I get cable from upstairs to downstairs? Will I need special equipment to house the cables in my walls? I can draw floor layouts if you want so you can get an idea of what I need to go through. Also, if this is beyond my dad's and my DIY skills, who would I call to get something like this done?
Thanks in advance,
./Pix
- Master bedroom = 1 computer, DSL Modem, 1 Router, 1 Switch
- My brother's bedroom == 1 computer
- My room == 2 computers, 1 hub
Right now, every room that has a computer in it has one CAT5e cable running to it. Wiring the other rooms upstairs isn't too difficult; I just go into the attic, find where the room is below me, drill between studs, and drop the cable down. Getting through the differnt floors in my house is a horse of a different colour.
First off, some things about the network are going to change when it goes to the basement. There will be a server in the basement that acts as a domain controller for my LAN and VPN. There will be a wireless router in the basement and WAPs placed throughout the house where my dad and I might be using our laptops. I want to have it so each room as a direct connection to the basement (ie. no switch upstairs) but that can be done once I can get at least one cable to the basement; therefore, all switches and routers and my DSL modem will move to the basement. As you see, most of my network stuff, instead of being spread out upstairs, will be moved to the basement.
Now, for the fun stuff: how do I get network cable from the upstairs to the basement? It will most likely drop down behind the walls through my brother's room. The biggest problem here is getting it through the main floor of the house. Also, the basement is completely finished with drywall (and insulation). My dad suggested a couple ideas, but naturally, I decided to post on [H]. He said it's possible to go outside and drop the wire down the side of the house (both my brother's room and the room in the basement I want the network stuff to be in face the same side of the house). He also mentioned something about using the ventilation ducts to get the cable through the different levels in the house.
So now I call to all of you for help. How do I get cable from upstairs to downstairs? Will I need special equipment to house the cables in my walls? I can draw floor layouts if you want so you can get an idea of what I need to go through. Also, if this is beyond my dad's and my DIY skills, who would I call to get something like this done?
Thanks in advance,
./Pix