can somone here give me the idots guide to network cables please
I've got all the flooring in the house up at the moment so I'm looking to run 1 or 2 ethernet cables and a coax to the upstairs rooms (so
far routing the coax hasn't been too bad) overall distance is only going to be 10 to 15m
I'm thinking about running a couple of cat5e or cat6 cables to upstairs (should only need one I guess, but I don't want to do this again!
)
so now the questions....
- is cat6 worth the extra £ ?
- which kind of sockets are best and are they reliable ? (I know we've had major issues at work with some of them)
- what tools will I need (cheaper the better as long as they work)
- where can I get the right stuff without buying 305m of cable ?
cheers
-Robert
You'll get everything you need from screwfix...5E should be sufficient for general networking over that run....unless you want to run something serious like HDMI over it in which case I would get 6....
For terminating the Cat cable, you'll need a punchdown tool like this one..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Network-Ethernet-Cable-Punch-Down-Tool-IDC-Faceplate-Krone-/221081544686?pt=UK_Computing_NetworkingTools_Accessories_SM&
hash=item33797ca7ee
quote:
Originally posted by stevebubs
....unless you want to run something serious like HDMI over it in which case I would get 6....
Screwfix items
10218
34584
should give you near enough everything else you need
If you think you might want to run HDMI in the future, though, go Cat6...
Avoid the cheap cable on ebay
Personally, I would say no. On my single 100 Mbit/s link, I'm transferring files no faster than they would if I was transferring from one drive
to another. I think I'd have to double up on hardware before I started seeing network congestion.
Two runs would make sense, if nothing else you'll want a backup if one fails.
I got my network stuff from Maplin, for short runs they worked out decently priced. Their connectors are quite decent as well, and tend to come in
packs of ten which should be ideal. I have to admit I used needle nosed pliers to make the connections, not the best way but certainly the LCB way! 
quote:
Originally posted by mcerd1
quote:
Originally posted by stevebubs
....unless you want to run something serious like HDMI over it in which case I would get 6....
well I was thinking about that as a possibility at some point, and the likes of screwfix only sell cat6 in 305m rolls
[Edited on 30/7/2013 by mcerd1]
quote:
Originally posted by Slimy38
Personally, I would say no. On my single 100 Mbit/s link, I'm transferring files no faster than they would if I was transferring from one drive to another. I think I'd have to double up on hardware before I started seeing network congestion.
Two runs would make sense, if nothing else you'll want a backup if one fails.
I got my network stuff from Maplin, for short runs they worked out decently priced. Their connectors are quite decent as well, and tend to come in packs of ten which should be ideal. I have to admit I used needle nosed pliers to make the connections, not the best way but certainly the LCB way!
For reference, I ran Cat5E from my loft down the drain riser and out to every room in the house...then stuck a cheap Gig-E switch in the loft. I now
have at least 2 ports in every room; 6 in the lounge....
[Edited on 30/7/13 by stevebubs]
Don't bother with Cat6. It's a bugger to terminate properly and for your needs Cat5e will be more than adequate. You can stream 1080p with
digital audio over 100mtrs of Cate5 using digital extenders no issue. Take a look at this website for some pricing on cabling, outlets, connectors
etc:
www.cablemonkey.co.uk
cheers,
IanM
To avoid punching down which can be a bit confusing & frustrating first time you do it, you could just get some 15M pre-made long patch
cables you can hide any excess cable the wall.
You can test the patch cables before pull them through.
[Edited on 30/7/13 by britishtrident]
As above use the pre made 15/20m cables
Run 2 to each room and make sure you use cat6
You can send hdmi over 2 cables from your sky box etc.
If that is a potential option run 3 cables.
I have 3 to each room and coax cable for the magic eye
Cat6 does not bend too well so be careful
Each room at mine has a sky feed over hdmi using 2 cat6 to hdmi and the coax cable for magic eye remote control only as the tv quality is poo.
And then the other cable runs a raspberry pi. Or the smart tv's
Worth the extra cables.
Hi, first post but thought I would reply.
I co own a structured cabling company, Cat5e would be fine, I can supply cable and modules if needed.
Patch leads pre made would also do the job and I can make them for you whichever length or colour you require, be aware though, that these will be
RJ45 connectors at each end.
The correct way to cable would be solid cable ( cat 5 e or cat 6 ) in lsoh form terminated into permanent modules, then a patch cable ( stranded )
from module to device.
Termination should be made with punch down tool, however the back of a Stanley blade to push down and sharp part to trim usually does the trick
Email Paul.nichols@iti-limited.co.uk if you need help or parts.
Oh and the screw fix and marlin may do the job but I would never ever use it ! And the patch leads are a rip off bought anywhere like that. We ship
ours in from china, pre made and machine terminated and can sell at 100% profit and still undercut them by £££££'s
Really essential to pay a few pennies and get a proper punchdown tool if the blade is too thick it stretches the jaw that bite through the insulation on the wires and ruins the face plate so at best get a dodgy connection. A Stanley blade or the end of a hacksaw blade is not advised.
If you ruin a faceplate whilst terminating you are doing something wrong regardless of punch down tool or not !
Valid point on the blade, but it is a last choice option that can work if not hand fisted.
I've been doing structured cabling for 20 years now and seen it all, trust me.
Agree with many of the above - screwfix, maplin etc are expensive (and I would never use except in a hurry / emergency - have a local friendly place
where patch cables cost pennies...). However I was trying to offer an easy solution to someone who hadn't done it before.
Cable 5E/6 cable + faceplate + punchdown tool is easy to do if you're capable of wiring a locost
PS Have some experience of the higher end also - have engaged several contractors over the years to cable up offices, datacentres (big ones), etc...
quote:
Originally posted by stevebubs
Agree with many of the above - screwfix, maplin etc are expensive (and I would never use except in a hurry / emergency - have a local friendly place where patch cables cost pennies...). However I was trying to offer an easy solution to someone who hadn't done it before.
Cable 5E/6 cable + faceplate + punchdown tool is easy to do if you're capable of wiring a locost
quote:
Originally posted by stevebubs
PS Have some experience of the higher end also - have engaged several contractors over the years to cable up offices, datacentres (big ones), etc...
quote:
Originally posted by PNichols
Maybe us ?
[Edited on 30/7/13 by PNichols]
