Need Cabling and Network Advice :)

[jamiesalter]

So...have decided that its finally time to lay down some ethernet around the house - just becoming fed up when streaming from a nas over wireless. I figure that instead of putting just a couple of cables around, I may as well do the whole house in one go.

Looking at websites etc, this is what I have come up with:

Excel 24 Way FTP Sheilded Patch Panel - £92
305m Excel Cat6 FTP Shielded LSOH 4 Pair Cable - £136
12x Single Gang Faceplates - £6
24x Excel Cat6 Shielded Keystone Jack Outlet - £109
24x (25 x 50mm) Adapter for Keystone Jack - £21
24x CAT6 SFTP Shielded RJ45 Patch Leads - £40
Netgear GS724T Gigabit Smart Switch Refurb - £126

RJ45/RJ11 Crimp Tool - £49
Krone Style IDC Punch down Tool - £11
Universal Stripping Tool For UTP/FTP - £11

Total Cost: £601

Firstly, is the above all compatible? - I have attempted to keep the majority of it from the same manufacture (Excel) so as to increase the chance of it all working.

Also, do I need all those tools listed? I have a basic wire stripper, but is it worth buying another? The Crimp Tool also says its for Cat5e - will it still work with Cat6...actually do I need a crimp tool or just the punch down?

As you can see I'm still a little confused. All help appreciated.

Cheers.

[Splash]

Do you actually need Cat6? I'm not saying you don't, but you may well just be spending money that you don't need to, and Cat5e is fine in most situations.

[Jay]

CAT6 is a real pain to run. Also some of that stuff is really over priced!

[james_d]

As you're using punch down kit throughout, the crimp tool's only needed if you're making you're own patch leads instead of buying them.

Wire stripper I wouldn't bother with for such a small job. Electricians wire cutters do the job fine aslong as you cut down the cable and peel back rather than try to cut across.

I'd consider a smaller switch to start off with aswell; if you're not going to need any more than 8 right now just get an 8. Several years down the line when you might need all 24 a big switch will be cheaper and/or better.

Do you need shielded kit throughout? CAT6 unshielded will be fine really, you won't have long enough runs to bother going shielded... the outlets and the patch panel will be cheaper aswell.

You will find you're major cost will be the redecorating afterwards; unless your runs are easy in which case I'd suggest you just run what you need and add to it later.

[Jiff Lemon]

Given the price differences between cat5e and cat6 stuff, and that your runs will be very short, I'd say stick with cat 5!

[mycarsavw]

As above, Cat6 is overkill and a PITA to run.

How many outlets do you need per room - always add one or two more if you can to futureproof yourselves.

I've done this recently to add another spur on my network - I bought from ScrewFix and got everything next day with free delivery.

305m Cat5e - £53.80 vs your £136

12 x "Pattress / Faceplate / Outlet / Module" - £66.84 vs your £136

Crimper / Cutter - £21.13 vs your £49

Punch down tool - £7.82 vs your £11

You wont need a stripping tool - use a Stanley knife to make a small cut along the length of the cable, then fish the string out and just pull it down the cable, stopping when you've got enough showing.

[jamiesalter]

Thanks for the replies...

Currently I'm still thinking Cat6 over 5e though. As pulling up floorboards, and drilling through walls etc will be such a hassle, I don't think I'll do it again. Therefore, down the line, having Cat6 may be useful.
And it doesn't seem that expensive - compare http://www.comms-express.com/product...ble-305mt-box/ with http://www.screwfix.com/prods/63892/...OSFFY?ts=86692

Although I do agree with what you say about using UTP instead of FTP. It looks as though shielded not only induces a higher cost for the cable, but also for the jack outlets, patch leads and patch panels. I'll probably settle for running a couple of shielded cables for the runs going past the fuse box.

I'll be running 2 to 3 cables to each room, which means it might be wise to keep the 24 port switch -> I doubt we'll use all 24 ports simultaneously (unless alot of guests suddenly turn up), but there will be 24 outlets.

Regarding tools, from what you've mentioned it seems that if I am to buy the patch leads, a crimp tool is unnecessary? Also the wire stripper isn't strictly needed, so the only tool I need to buy is a punch down tool?

Thanks for all the replies.

[mycarsavw]

Thanks for the replies...

Currently I'm still thinking Cat6 over 5e though. As pulling up floorboards, and drilling through walls etc will be such a hassle, I don't think I'll do it again. Therefore, down the line, having Cat6 may be useful.
And it doesn't seem that expensive - compare http://www.comms-express.com/product...ble-305mt-box/ with http://www.screwfix.com/prods/63892/...OSFFY?ts=86692

I agree, if you're never doing it again that you've got to do it properly but what will you be serving that's going to require Cat6? AFAIK you can run a gigabit network at "near gigabit" speeds on Cat5e.

...

I'll be running 2 to 3 cables to each room, which means it might be wise to keep the 24 port switch -> I doubt we'll use all 24 ports simultaneously (unless alot of guests suddenly turn up), but there will be 24 outlets.

Again, if you're doing Cat6, then there's the obvious cost factor, but adding a 3 gang faceplate where I actually need 2 and 2 where I need 1 in each room would be the way I'd go - just in case.

you can always add another patch panel/switch in the future. Much easier than adding XXX more cable runs.

Regarding tools, from what you've mentioned it seems that if I am to buy the patch leads, a crimp tool is unnecessary? Also the wire stripper isn't strictly needed, so the only tool I need to buy is a punch down tool?

Correct, you can strip wire with any sharp knife and if you're buying ready assembled patch leads, you wont need to crimp