Fr Robert Ballecer, SJ Can we please get another networking 101 about how to install wired netw...

[G+_T Nohands]

Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ Can we please get another networking 101 about how to install wired networks? We've seen premise wiring but we never really touched the differences in types of ethernet cable. More to the point where and how to invest money in cables such as plenum vs shielded, riser, in-wall rated, bare copper, stranded copper, solid copper, or sfp and sfp+? Do we future proof with Cat 6a, Cat 7, sfp+? What do we look for when installing wired networking? Should we use outdoor rated for exterior cameras or other devices? So many choices that boggles the mind so what, when, where, why, and how? Also how and where to shop? So Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ can Know How go over some of this?

[G+_Ben Reese]

I'll share my opinion, because, why not?

 

Plenum-rated if it's in the budget, but realistically riser-rated is good enough for most homes. Unless you're running all your cable through the duct work.

 

Definitely solid bare copper. Stranded may be more flexible, but it's also more hassle to connect.

 

Cat-6a should be future proof enough for most people. Cat-5e is probably even good enough, but there's not much price difference now.

 

Outdoor cable if it will be exposed to the elements (direct sun light and/or cold). Plenum or riser-rated should also be fine for areas with limited exposure.

Example: when we built my parents' house 17 years ago, I ran plenum-rated Cat-5 through the wall and into the demarcation box on the west side of the house. This summer I had to replace the cable because the 6" of exposed cable was becoming brittle.

 

If my wife asks, I'd love a couple 10 Gbps cards for Christmas and about a 6 ft SFP cable to connect them. I'd consider SFP to be one of those things you know when you need it. Most home networks don't need 10 Gig connections.

[G+_Jason Brown]

I stuck with cat 5e. It does the job I need it to. I ran outdoor rated cable behind my siding, linking the attic to the crawl space. I used the stuff with the waterproof goo inside. From there I just had to drop it behind the walls.

 

The top plate on the walls only had a large enough hole to run one cable. In those cases I used an existing coax or phone line as a pull string. I don't use those, and the house is over- wired with that stuff anyway.

 

In the coming weeks I'll be popping a hole between the crawlspace and the laundry room floor, to complete phase 2. However my modem and router haven't complained once after being mounted by the crawlspace door a year ago. I attached a mounting board to a drawer rail, so I can move it to the side when I need to go in there.

[G+_T Nohands]

Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ I'm looking forward for Know How to go over the hardline options I'm looking at future proof with the added issue of distance. My Ideal goal is like you said is to run conduit and stack switches like the Cisco sg300 and sg500 and I would like 10g for the MDF and will run into issues with the next build and the next as I'm looking at automation so would gladly look into multimode fiber especially with the desire for lots of cameras and multiple backup locations and of course slinging massive media throughout so someone can watch their netflix and someone else watch a high res video from the archived movies while I get the automation and try to let the people inside know I'm stuck in the grass that just wasn't dry enough especially when it's cold outside so the more capable and adaptable my network can be the better, as I try to figure things out for Ifttt.