Structured Cabling + Telephone

[Brodieman]

Hi guys

I'm currently looking at buying a house (not strictly a networking or broadband issue), and am looking at installing some structured cabling. This would be used for data and voice. The current idea would be two connections per room (with some exceptions like the living room, and the room I turn into an office).

Now the data side of the network isn't going to be a problem, I've run CAT5 before, termniated to wall ports and patch panels, and created patch cables, and plugging into a switch/router isn't really a problem.

However what do I need to do with the phone side?

My intension is that all cables will terminate to a sinlge patch panel, the data patched to the switch (and then the router or as required....). I can get adaptors for the phones to go from the standard phone connector to RJ45, just what would I need at teh other end to connect them up to the system and then into a master socket (either BT or VM). Currently the intension would be analogue only, but may be interested in changing at some point to VoIP (or dual).

Your advise and/or links are much appreciated!

[arthurleung]

IMO, You might as well get a few Homeplug for your home networking. If you're planning to run something that need high network bandwidth, put them in the same room connected with a GbE switch will be fine.

For phone. Shouldn't a set of wireless handsets sort out your requirement? Installing phone extensions throughout the house could possibly affect your ADSL signal.

[TheAnimus]

Couldn't disagree with arthurleung more. Homeplugs are very much the expensive lazy solution.

If you don't want to re-decorate, chizzel your wall etc, then they are the better choice than wifi, but i have such problem getting even 720p over any distance in them, if its not the same ring, it dosen't happen.

I would run cat5e, lots of it. You can wire a regular PSTN phone socket to some cat5e (you just have spare strands) but myself i'd actually use adapters like these:
http://www.run-it-direct.co.uk/RJ11toRJ45A.html
(top link on google, i'm sure u can find em cheaper).

I would run Cat5e where ever you want to have a TV. With just 2 cat5e, you can extend HDMI over it! I wish i had done this before i decorated the living room. Banished the loud sky+ HD box to the broom closet or something!

[peterb]

Thre Animus is spot on - homeplugs are fine for a temporary solution (rented accommodation or if you really have no other option) but cable wins hands down every time - especially if you are moving into a new (as in replacement) house and you can do the bulk of it in one go.

First stage is planning - where is the central point going to be? It can be a study or room dedicated, or a cupborad under the stairs, but that will be the central point. (You can have two - link them with a couple of cables and then distribute from those places) Then decide on where you may want connections in the future - and wherever you think you might want one, plan for at least double - even if you don't put sockets in, run the cables.

As for the structure. Cat5 can carry data and phone simultaneously - it has 4 pairs and the theory is that two pairs carry data, the other two analogue, ISDN or whatever, and the adaptors that The Animus linked to break out the two analogue pairs to a phone socket - but you can't do both at the same time using that method. (You can if you hard wire the cores to the plugs, but that is getting away from the structured concept which is that you use any cable for anything without affecting infrastructure). Also if you plan to use Gbit, that uses all four cores for data. You also need to pick a wiring standard 568B is the one used in the UK (Google for it) and defines which wires go to which plug contacts.

So you probably don't need 'true' structured cabling - but do put in plenty of cabling! And if you are really serious, put the cable in conduit (flexible) then you can add more cables if you find you need them, or at a later date replace cable with fibre or whatever - but you are retaining flexibility.

Some thoughts - think about at least two cables to each end of a living room, at least one cable to each bedroom, at least two to the kitchen, at least one to a conservatory, don't forget dining room or rooms where you might work (probably don't need to think about bathroom or loos though!). Then based on the rule of two - double those cables.

Oh yes, don't skimp on the quality of the either the cable or the tools you are going to terminate it with - this is an investment and it is worth spending a bit of time and money to get it right first time. (and get some long masonry drill bits - 8mm and 16mm are useful sizes, and 20mm can be useful - get ones with small shanks that fit a 1/2" chuck. Homebase do a good range (expensive - but worth it) B&Q aren't bad or find a good hardware shop/tool merchant/builders merchant. Remember you may be drilling through 9" cavity walls. (If you have an SDS drill, drill bits are better, and you may be able to use a box sinking tool and chasing tools - but that is getting expensive)

[Re-Invented]

This has been mentioned before but some people take the route of running just one cable downstairs and having a switch downstairs aswell as one upstairs.

Just an idea

Lee

[runitdirect]

To patch phones use :-http://www.run-it-direct.co.uk/bttorj45paypal.html

The router should go next to the patch panel so the ADSL filtering would be taken care of there(master NTE5 next to patch panel and filtered faceplate fitted to this).

Shout if you need help!

[Funkstar]

This has been mentioned before but some people take the route of running just one cable downstairs and having a switch downstairs aswell as one upstairs.

I'm of the opinion that if youa re running one, then you can run two cables. if you can run two, then why not more

At least with two you have the option of load balancing if your switch supports that. Though that usually required a managed switch to set it up.