Planning a Home Network

[AFGuy0127]

Greetings programs! Or something like that...

This week I close on the purchase of my first house. It is a bit older (built in '81), so it doesn't have any of the modern amenities. I will be changing that, and wiring in ethernet to the bedrooms and living room. I've got a bit of a background in networking, as in my Bachelor's degree has a networking specialty. However, I went the biomedical equipment route instead of networking, and haven't done anything with that side of things in quite some time. What I'm looking for is advice on equipment, and to hopefully have a few questions answered. I haven't figured out an overall budget yet. I know it's not going to be all that high, but I'll be doing all the work I can myself. The house is only a 1 story, so running the cables shouldn't be too terrible I wouldn't think.

So, my plan... I'm not going to need a whole ton of connectivity, so I'm thinking a 24-port, managed switch will do just fine. If I were to have this built today, I'd only need it for the following devices:

2 Desktop systems
PS3
XBox
Printer
TV

I know, not a lot, but I'm thinking the 24-port for future expandability.

The network will be used mostly for gaming and streaming, using the local cable internet for the ISP. I don't want the ISP-supplied router doing any of the work itself, so I'll want an external router as well as a hardware firewall. I also won't be using the wireless on the ISP's modem, so I'll be including an AP as well for phones and laptops and such. I don't have any plans to ever include VOIP (unless someone can give me a good reason). I will be doing video monitoring on a few points outside the house, which I would like to also connect to the network. I will be adding NAS in the future, unless I can work my budget to allow for it sooner.

As it sits right now, I plan to build a closet in the 2nd bedroom (which is where the garage used to be and will be a garage again later on) in which to house the equipment. I haven't totally decided if I want a wall-mount rack, or a standing rack.

I think that's it really. So, any holes in my plan anyone has noticed? What are some good equipment options out there for this kind of setup for a home user that aren't horribly expensive? And, since I'll be building the Cat6 cables myself, can anyone recommend a decent cable tester that also isn't horribly expensive? And, I keep reading about patch panels. To be honest, I really don't know what they are, or the purpose they serve. I'll do some reading, but in the meantime, would I even need any for this kind of setup?

Thanks all!

 

[Dark Shade]

I don't see any big problems with the configuration. For video monitoring, are you going to get power injectors, or a small PoE switch that connects to your main 24-port switch?

For cable testing, we use these at work: http://www.amazon.com/Paladin-Tools-70025-Network-Tester/dp/B000KMHL8M. Never had an issue with them.

Patch panels are nice if you ever decide to reorganize your rack. They serve as a 'middle man' connection point between your runs and your equipment. Your runs will always be the same length going to the panel, the only changes you may need to make is the last strand from the panel to the switch. You'll need a special punchdown tool for patch panels, but they aren't expensive.

 

[Grentz]

You really dont need a managed switch for any of that, but if you want it for future that is up to you.

I would get a simple patch panel and network wall rack from www.monoprice.com and focus efforts on the clean wiring and layout.

 

[/usr/home]

I recommend not making your own CAT6 patch cables. Just buy premade from Monoprice.

 

[AFGuy0127]

I don't see any big problems with the configuration. For video monitoring, are you going to get power injectors, or a small PoE switch that connects to your main 24-port switch?

For cable testing, we use these at work: http://www.amazon.com/Paladin-Tools-70025-Network-Tester/dp/B000KMHL8M. Never had an issue with them.

Patch panels are nice if you ever decide to reorganize your rack. They serve as a 'middle man' connection point between your runs and your equipment. Your runs will always be the same length going to the panel, the only changes you may need to make is the last strand from the panel to the switch. You'll need a special punchdown tool for patch panels, but they aren't expensive.

For video monitoring, I don't know yet. I honestly haven't even looked into any of the details yet, I just know it's something I want to do a little later on.

Cool, and that one is pretty inexpensive too. I read one article that had some cable tool that was nearly $2000. I don't even think I'm going to be spending that much on my entire network build.

Ahh, ok. So it would make sense to have one then. Thanks for the explanation, I appreciate it. And thanks for the advice, definitely some good info for getting started.

You really dont need a managed switch for any of that, but if you want it for future that is up to you.

I would get a simple patch panel and network wall rack from www.monoprice.com and focus efforts on the clean wiring and layout.

That's true, I don't really need a managed switch for that. I was more thinking of something to tinker with, but budget-wise it might be a better option for now to go with a non-managed switch.

Took a look at some of their wall racks, and that's kinda along the lines I was thinking. Not too much money, and can be mounted up out of the way in a closet or something. Thanks!

I recommend not making your own CAT6 patch cables. Just buy premade from Monoprice.

From what I've read, Cat6 cables can be a PITA to build, but I'm thinking it would be nice to be able to cut to fit exactly to where I'll have the runs. So you're saying it would be worth it just to buy premade cables and be done, no matter the length?

Thanks all for the help so far.

 

[artbird309]

From what I've read, Cat6 cables can be a PITA to build, but I'm thinking it would be nice to be able to cut to fit exactly to where I'll have the runs. So you're saying it would be worth it just to buy premade cables and be done, no matter the length?

I think he was just meaning buy premade patch cables. That is the cable from the patch panel to the switch or switch to server in the rack.

I would would buy patch cables and get 1000ft of bulk cable to wire the rooms. Running the bulk cable from the wall jacks to the patch panel.

 

[Shadowspawn]

Patch cables are usually stranded wire which is more flexible than the solid core cable used for the runs in the walls. But a box of bulk solid core cable and terminate it at the patch panel and the wall jacks in the individual rooms, then use the pre-made stranded patch cables to connect your devices on both ends. You use stranded cables because they can handle the flexing from being handled and moved around where the solid core will eventually break. The solid core is used for the long runs because of better performance and once it is installed it usually isn't moved again.

I despise those type of testers (the Paladin brand). They are cryptic to read and I have found them to be unreliable. I would recommend Fluke brand if you were going to use it beyond the first install, but if you won't be using it regularly, the cost isn't justified. I have one of these in my house and it has worked flawlessly for me and the cost is decent. It has a readable screen and can be used for coax and phone lines as well, should you need it later. You might want a toner as well. I use one infrequently, but when I need it, it has saved me a lot of time when I need to trace a line.

Make sure you get some cable labels and label the cables at both ends, especially the long runs in the walls. Really, you should label the cables at every wall they cross. But for home installations that is a personal preference. Labeling the cables during installation will save you a lot of time at a later point, guaranteed.

 

[AFGuy0127]

I think he was just meaning buy premade patch cables. That is the cable from the patch panel to the switch or switch to server in the rack.

I would would buy patch cables and get 1000ft of bulk cable to wire the rooms. Running the bulk cable from the wall jacks to the patch panel.

Ahh ok. That was the plan from the beginning anyway.

Patch cables are usually stranded wire which is more flexible than the solid core cable used for the runs in the walls. But a box of bulk solid core cable and terminate it at the patch panel and the wall jacks in the individual rooms, then use the pre-made stranded patch cables to connect your devices on both ends. You use stranded cables because they can handle the flexing from being handled and moved around where the solid core will eventually break. The solid core is used for the long runs because of better performance and once it is installed it usually isn't moved again.

I despise those type of testers (the Paladin brand). They are cryptic to read and I have found them to be unreliable. I would recommend Fluke brand if you were going to use it beyond the first install, but if you won't be using it regularly, the cost isn't justified. I have one of these in my house and it has worked flawlessly for me and the cost is decent. It has a readable screen and can be used for coax and phone lines as well, should you need it later. You might want a toner as well. I use one infrequently, but when I need it, it has saved me a lot of time when I need to trace a line.

Make sure you get some cable labels and label the cables at both ends, especially the long runs in the walls. Really, you should label the cables at every wall they cross. But for home installations that is a personal preference. Labeling the cables during installation will save you a lot of time at a later point, guaranteed.

Makes sense. Thanks for the tip about the solid core and stranded cables. I don't think I would've known the difference honestly.

That tester is a little more, but I can see how it would be easier to read than the other. Might go that route just for the ease of reading. I'll look into a toner as well, thank you.

Yeah no way I wasn't labeling, lol. With the runs I'm planning in my head, I'd be stupid to not label them. I'm probably going to have 6 runs to the living room alone, and I really don't feel like tracing those later.