Hi guys,
Here is my little project, and im hoping to get a bit of advise on the best ways to go about it:
To cut a long story short, Ive managed to buy myself a house and while im getting the place ready for me (new kitchen/bathroom/redecorated etc etc) i had the thought of getting the place wired up for a network.
Im no stranger to networks, but never needed to spec up something like this.
What im looking to do is have 1 or 2 points in each bedroom (its a 3 bed), and have 2 or 4 in the lounge / dinning room, with all the trunking round the walls (i assume)
initially i had the brainwave of having the patch panel and switch in the cupboard under the stairs
oh yeah, and i want it all running at Gbit speeds
Main uses: Media Server, or a PC/Laptop in a couple of bedrooms, the PS3 in the lounge.
I just think if im going to do it, i want to do it properly.
so, the questions are:
* Is it worth using cat 6, or just stick with cat5e?
* Do i need a patch panel?
* Does the Patch panel make a difference if its for cat5 or cat6?
* What Gbit switch should i get? is it worth getting a 16 port straight off, or just get an 8 port, and add another 8 port at a later date?
* Will i need some sort of ventilation for the cupboard?
* Is there an alternative to using the trunking? ie if im getting the carpets replaced, is it safe to run the cat5 underneith without crushing them?
I look forward to hearing peoples thoughts, or add anything i have probably missed