Networking a house

[Tadgh]

Hullo,

 

I'm not as networking savvy as I could be, so I'd really appreciate some help or advise on my next project.

 

I'm renovating a barn into a new house (further details in my signature), and have an opportunity to do all the networking myself. At the moment I'm living in an 1800s stone house and because routing CAT5 into rooms is a headache the likes of which mankind has never seen - there's not widespread Ethernet access. Furthermore, we need 2 separate wi-fi networks to have functioning wi-fi throughout the house (functioning, barely..).

 

This is a really awkward and inefficient solution, and given that I now have the chance to do the networking on this barn of mine, I'd like to do it right - planning far ahead and asking for help

I need 2 Ethernet access points downstairs, and at least 5 upstairs, four of which will be in one room (don't even ask ). Decent wifi access from around the barn is a must too. A low-powered NAS will be hooked into the network, and also across to a house opposite the barn. I have very weak DSL internet access (in practicality around 8Mbps down and 1Mbps up) that tends to become congested and high latency at peak times, I'd like to do everything I can to optimize this connection (new router/correct router setup included).

 

 

My question to anyone who can answer or advise me is:

 

How can I optimally network this barn for my needs, what should I acquire, and how should I set it up?
I'm willing to get my hands dirty and do any DIY necessary, I'll cut and crimp my own cables and etc.

 

Thanks!

[Tedster]

I'm not sure about everything but I think you should put Cat6 (ideally two cables) to each room to futureproof things be better prepared for the future, definitely crimping your own cables like you said. - my family's saved tons doing that.

 

And I'd suggest getting a good router access point and putting it as high up and center as you can.

 

Also following because very interesting.

[Tadgh]

I'm not sure about everything but I think you should put Cat6 (ideally two cables) to each room to futureproof things be better prepared for the future, definitely crimping your own cables like you said. - my family's saved tons doing that.

 

And I'd suggest getting a good router access point and putting it as high up and center as you can.

 

Also following because very interesting.

Could I ask quite what the benefits of Cat6 over Cat5 are? I understand the generational cable category improvements and all, I just don't know what the bandwidth and specification improvements are between Cat5 and Cat6

And thanks for your input!

[Tedster]

Could I ask quite what the benefits of Cat6 over Cat5 are? I understand the generational cable category improvements and all, I just don't know what the bandwidth and specification improvements are between Cat5 and Cat6

And thanks for your input!

You're welcome.

 

You were wondering about being prepared for the future and as well as being more resistant to interference, you should be able to get 10Gb out of it when that becomes mainstream.

[sirtoby]

Could I ask quite what the benefits of Cat6 over Cat5 are? I understand the generational cable category improvements and all, I just don't know what the bandwidth and specification improvements are between Cat5 and Cat6

And thanks for your input!

You wont get gigabit speed over cat5. You'll need at least cat5e for that, but you'll be better off laying something like cat6 or cat7. These handle up to 10gbit, so you don't need to go through the hassle again when you're upgrading the network. May I ask when the power lines where installed in your house? If they aren't too old, then powerline Ethernet adapters might be a good idea.

[Tadgh]

You're welcome.

 

You were wondering about being prepared for the future and as well as being more resistant to interference, you should be able to get 10Gb out of it when that becomes mainstream.

Cool, thank you

 

You wont get gigabit speed over cat5. You'll need at least cat5e for that, but you'll be better off laying something like cat6 or cat7. These handle up to 10gbit, so you don't need to go through the hassle again when you're upgrading the network. May I ask when the power lines where installed in your house? If they aren't too old, then powerline Ethernet adapters might be a good idea.

Agh, Cat7?! I'm out of date.. Is Cat7 cabling much more expensive than Cat6?

Well if you're referring to the house I'm moving out of, I'm already using mains/ethernet adapters for multiple applications, but the mains in my house were last redone in the 50s. Alongside the power shorting everytime I give power to my PC from the wall - internet reliability is.. Patchy, at best..

If you're referring to the barn I'm moving into, late 2015 or early 2016. Because, right now it stores hay and wood and that's about it

[sirtoby]

Cool, thank you

 

Agh, Cat7?! I'm out of date.. Is Cat7 cabling much more expensive than Cat6?

Well if you're referring to the house I'm moving out of, I'm already using mains/ethernet adapters for multiple applications, but the mains in my house were last redone in the 50s. Alongside the power shorting everytime I give power to my PC from the wall - internet reliability is.. Patchy, at best..

If you're referring to the barn I'm moving into, late 2015 or early 2016. Because, right now it stores hay and wood and that's about it

The prize of cat7 depends on your location. Here in Germany it is a bit more expensive than cat6a, but not by much. I've seen places in the US where they charge you twice as much, though. I would try to get cat6a or cat7 due to their 10gbit capabilities. Whatever is cheaper. Your plans for your barn sound interesting, subbed. 

[Tadgh]

The prize of cat7 depends on your location. Here in Germany it is a bit more expensive than cat6a, but not by much. I've seen places in the US where they charge you twice as much, though. I would try to get cat6a or cat7 due to their 10gbit capabilities. Whatever is cheaper. Your plans for your barn sound interesting, subbed. 

Thanks for your advice, I'll get some shipped over from Germany if it's all that much worse! Is there a tangible performance gain between Cat6a and Cat7?

Also thanks , I hope to update it soon!

[Goose Legs]

I'm not sure about everything but I think you should put Cat6 (ideally two cables) to each room to futureproof things, definitely crimping your own cables like you said. - my family's saved tons doing that.

 

And I'd suggest getting a good router and putting it as high up and center as you can.

 

Also following because very interesting.

 

 

I would buy a good amount of bulk CAT6a cabling, make sure it's solid copper, NOT Copper Clad Aluminum (CCA)!  Ideally, I would also make a minimum of two drops in each room, possibly more if you want wireless APs. Going as high as four drops per room (two on each opposite side) isn't unheard of either. What's more, CAT6a wiring is super useful for other projects down the road. (Home automation, security, media distribution...etc). 

 

All of this might sound  overkill, but pulling wire while the walls are open is A LOT cheaper than having to do it a second time down the road (as you have found out). Since your only major expense will be the wire itself, it's better to get it out of the way right away.

[Blake]

Run 1-4 Cat 6A/7 Ethernet cables from a single patch panel (actually install a patch panel). Make sure you use shielded cables. Label the ends of each cable uniquely. if you only need 1 or two cables in a room, leave the others in the wall, just don't terminate them, but to connect them to the patch panel. Should a cable die, become faulty, disconnect the faulty cable from the rj45 jack and connect on of the other cables to it, you will thank me later.

 

Reason for cat 6A cables: can do up to 10gbit @ ~90m leaves you a few meters for connecting to switch/router on patch panel side, and another few meters at the endpoint. MAke sure the cables are shielded, as they will be running near power cables, which could cause some interference, you will still get your 1gbps speeds but it a few years as the cable degrades, and your are looking to upgrade to 10gbps you will find that you can only get 4 or 5. 

 

So while none of your devices support 10gbit over copper at the moment, give it a few years and you can easily do an upgrade on your NICs, just means that you don't need to re-do all your work in 5-10 years.

 

If you have far too much money you could look into fiber, instead of copper.