Home networking tips

[black_friday]

Hey all,

Im going to be building a new home soon, so Im thinking about what options I have as far as networking goes (among other things!).

Ive not really been happy with the stability of the current wireless network I have, so obviously upgrading to a better router will help that problem.

On the other hand Ive seen these new internet tv's for sale, Im assuming they would require an ethernet connection?? Would it make sense while the house is being wired up to include ethernet connections throughout?

Im no IT whiz, but as far as security goes, and connecting additional computers and devices (ps3, tv etc) what would be the best path to go down? Obviously Im not basing this decision purely on the chance I can convince the wife to let me get a new tv...but this will be a long term house for us so if i can get this stuff done right, during construction it will save some headaches down the track

Cheers,

Jarrod

[boyley]

If you want reliability and keep up with fast moving technology get you house wired throughout with CAT6 shielded cable. It good for Gigabit ethernet and with a decent router you will be smoking. It will also cost you heaps less as you can run your own cable and get the plasterers to pull it through the walls for you.

[vyls1wa]

Hey mate. I'm in the same boat. The way I'm gona do it is have a port in each bedroom and two for the tv rooms. I'll be building a server and using a good quality router with maybe 16 ports. Getting the ports installed during construction is far cheaper and future proof. Having a large media collection ATM with two media centres is great but would love to expand on that in the mew house, as for Internet tvs, it's not something I would consider, if a component fails then its a pain, far more freedom with a media centre pc, 500 bux would build you a great mc.

[gavlotic]

+1 for running cat6 through the house. These days a lot of electricians can do this as u can have the ports integrated with the power outlets.

cheers

Gav

[vx_clubby]

If you want reliability and keep up with fast moving technology get you house wired throughout with CAT6 shielded cable. It good for Gigabit ethernet and with a decent router you will be smoking. It will also cost you heaps less as you can run your own cable and get the plasterers to pull it through the walls for you.

What he said, you are in an ideal situation to network your future house, use cat 6 to all areas you want access then run them to a central hub somewhere in your house, normally built in robe or garage (if its connected to house), also keep in mind if you ever want to run a security system as the cables for them too, best time to do it is when the walls are getting plastered. if you know someone in the game then its very cheap and easy.
goodluck

[HRTSEN]

Hi

Definetly Cat6 runs everywhere.

And if you need someone to do it WITHOUT paying electrician rates call Roy at Satpro on 0430 50 84 84.

regards,

Richard
HRTSEN

[black_friday]

There ya go, never heard of CAT6. Thanks for the heads up!

[6.2L.Club]

Visit the clipsal site, they have a guide you can use (download) which gives a brief overview of what's available. Essential Checklist (http://www.clipsal.com.au/homeowner/downloads/living_electrical)

Run a second cat 6 or cat 5 which can either be used for internet or telephone. I have 2 phone lines running on one cat 5e.

Also a good idea to pre run coax cable for foxtel, tv distribution aswell, and if you have a theatre room, run the speaker cables for your side/rear speakers as well. If you plan on having a projector, you can prewire that also.

[6.2L.Club]

There ya go, never heard of CAT6. Thanks for the heads up!

Cat 6 is old, Cat 7 is the new standard. between 40 - 100 gigabit versus 1 gigabit of cat 6

Cat 7

[fishla]

Cat5e is capable of gigabit speeds.

Also take note, if you're putting in a patch panel, Cat5e and Cat6 are different.

Easy to run, patch and punch down yourself. Just google it :)


Edit: Cat6 is the current standard, very rare to see anywhere selling Cat7

Cheers.
Andy

[6.2L.Club]

Yes, cat 5e Is capable of gigabit speeds, IF correct termination, twist rates, segregation, mounting, etc are maintained.

You forget to mention that you require an Open Class cablers licence to terminate these cables. this has been discussed in a thread previously so there's no need to start another thread about the rights and wrongs of DIY in your house. Ultimatly, in your house, you need to be a sparky to work on your 240v circuit, same goes for phone and internet, you need to hold an open class or restricted cablers licence to terminate these cables.

[The_Senator]

Realistically, Cat 5e will be MORE than suffice to smart wire your house with..

Cat6 if you are after every last bit of bandwidth - but i can't see your average home requiring it.

Run 2 cables to every point.. for Phone and Data.. And as Tim suggested, Quad Sheild Coax for all your distrubuted TV points (if you are smart wiring for a home theatre type situation)..

Speaker wires through out the house so you can run 'ceiling' speakers, and have ambient background music, instead of blaring in one room, just to be able to hear it down the back..

Also run some wires to your patio, do outdoor speakers.

It will cost you not a whole heap, and add so much value, and ease of connecting devices, tv's etc..

The 'Clipsal StarServes' are good value if you're looking at a smart wire solution.

[fishla]

Yes, cat 5e Is capable of gigabit speeds, IF correct termination, twist rates, segregation, mounting, etc are maintained.

You forget to mention that you require an Open Class cablers licence to terminate these cables. this has been discussed in a thread previously so there's no need to start another thread about the rights and wrongs of DIY in your house. Ultimatly, in your house, you need to be a sparky to work on your 240v circuit, same goes for phone and internet, you need to hold an open class or restricted cablers licence to terminate these cables.

I did forget to mention that and i apologise!

Original poster....Think about it this way, if you get a sparky mate or plumbing mate to do some work at your house for a couple of slabs, i doubt very much that he will issue a certificate of work carried out??

10 years ago there no was no law against running cat5/6 cable anywhere!
But like 6.2 Club said, the laws have changed, so do so at your own risk. I hold no responsibility for my post (even though i think you should do it yourself at frame stage :lol:)

[VYTonne]

Yes, cat 5e Is capable of gigabit speeds, IF correct termination, twist rates, segregation, mounting, etc are maintained.

You forget to mention that you require an Open Class cablers licence to terminate these cables. this has been discussed in a thread previously so there's no need to start another thread about the rights and wrongs of DIY in your house. Ultimatly, in your house, you need to be a sparky to work on your 240v circuit, same goes for phone and internet, you need to hold an open class or restricted cablers licence to terminate these cables.

Internal network cabling is debatable I'm afraid.

Cheers
VYT

[old_mate]

how is it debatable? any cabling that has the ability to connect to the telecommunications network, either now or in the future is required to be run by a registered cabler.

[blackjacknz]

Just been through all this with the new house...

We got CAT6 cableing throughout the house...

We how have Data points in:
Office
Lounge
Home Theatre
Bed 1
Bed 3
Games room

We have a 4GB Netgear NAS (network attached storage) in one of the spare bedrooms where our smart wiring panel is. The all the computers can connect to the net and the NAS at any point. In the HT..the PS3 is also connected and in the main bedroom we have just attached a Netgear media player...so will play all the moves from the NAS on the tv...saves buying a new tv as its only 1 year old anyway.

We still have the wireless running for the ipads as well.

Love the set up...especially now we have the NAS running....over 600+ movies available at anytime...so i dont have to leave the main computer on.

Were also in a FTTH housing estate...even though its costly...broardband speeds are awesome....40min TV show downloads in 2-3 mins :smilesandbanana:

[VYTonne]

how is it debatable? any cabling that has the ability to connect to the telecommunications network, either now or in the future is required to be run by a registered cabler.

I agree with you but when you talk private networks how the f**k. You have wireless networks/Routers. Who said the House has to be hard wired for f**k sake. Don't necessarily have to be enclosed/backbone cabled. This is why I say BS. Who's gunna police it?
Ive done the course & any Ape could pass it BTW. :flame:

Good luck with your argument.


Cheers
VYT

[fishla]

...over 600+ movies available at anytime...so i dont have to leave the main computer on.
:

I think you mean 4TB :lol:

Luck mofo with FTTH :goodjob:

[blackjacknz]

I think you mean 4TB :lol:

Luck mofo with FTTH :goodjob:

Whoops.....yep TB......

[old_mate]

I agree with you but when you talk private networks how the f**k. You have wireless networks/Routers. Who said the House has to be hard wired for f**k sake. Don't necessarily have to be enclosed/backbone cabled. This is why I say BS. Who's gunna police it?
Ive done the course & any Ape could pass it BTW. :flame:

Good luck with your argument.


Cheers
VYT


umm, the OP wants to hard wire his house.

who's going to police it? Well, the ACMA does. I personally love DIY'ers, because i will charge the same amount to reterminate anything thats obviously DIY than what i would normally charge to run and install it myself. And that's the only resedential work i touch, crawing around poeple's celings and drilling internal walls is shit. People pay happily when they admit they failed at it. These good new things called TCA2 forms that cablers can provide as evidence of non compliance have been known to make their way into the ACMA's hands as well.

I don't make the rules, i pay for a ticket and abide by the rules, private networks in a residential environment not directly connected to a telecommunications network probably should be a bit more DIY friendly (if the insurance company suspects dodgy wiring in the event of fire your ****ed) in regards to the law but thats another topic for another time.