Installing a Home Ethernet Network?
 

My house is due a rewire (it's a 1930s build) and this seems like the opportune moment to also install wired ethernet to a number of rooms in the house given they'll be trunking put into the walls to feed the sockets from under the floorboards.

This is all about future proofing, given this is the "forever" house, so want the best possible internal network to avoid any bottlenecks. I don't want to consider an updated powerline solution simple due to the bottlenecks.

The current setup is under the stairs where the broadband currently comes into the property; the router connects directly to a gigabit switch, and off of that switch we have all the connected devices including a NAS (although this is due to be upgraded to newer NAS with 4 port link aggregation), a mesh wifi network and connection to a powerline adapter which serves the living room and upstairs office (although the NAS speeds are painfully slow - 5MB/s vs 50MB/s when connected directly to the computer via ethernet.

1) what are the best options cable wise? CAT6A, CAT7, CAT8? More than happy to shell out for CAT7 or CAT8 whilst distance from port to under the stairs will be less than 30 metres in all cases

2) what's the best option for connectors if I go the CAT7 or CAT8 route give RJ45 is limited to 10Gbps? GG45 connectors which are (I believe) exactly the same and fit the same ethernet sockets as a standard RJ45 connector but ultimately allow for 40Gbps or is there a better connector option?

3) in terms of the actually wiring, I presume it's best to run a single, individual length of CAT cable from the rooms (which have a female ethernet port to connect to), to under the stairs where there is a bank of further female ethernet ports - each port then being connected to the existing gigabit switch via a suitable GG45 CAT cable?

4) for under the stairs where all the ethernet CAT7/8 cables converge, is a bank of sockets via something like one of these patch panels (https://www.amazon.co.uk/1aTTack-Net...dp/B07PXDM27G/) the best option or has someone got any recommendations?

Any thoughts or suggestions as how to achieve the best result without bottlenecks appreciated :)

Re: Installing a Home Ethernet Network?
 

Might be worth making it all PoE capable ?

Re: Installing a Home Ethernet Network?
 

I was debating that but ultimately the majority of devices will have their own power supplies, plus I'm planning on putting the new ethernet ports next to existing or new dual plug points (as needed) as part of the overall house rewire.

The only possibility I could think of for a device needing PoE might be security cameras and currently I'm using hardwired or battery powered Ring cameras which I'm happy with and have a seamless wifi connection with my mesh network.

Re: Installing a Home Ethernet Network?
 

I doubt you really need to go to the expense of Cat8 for a home network, I would stick to 7.

(TBH, unless you are running 10 Gbps at home, you dont really even need Cat 7)

Re: Installing a Home Ethernet Network?
 

Thanks for the suggestion fellow Nottingham person ;)

Yer, I'm starting to think CAT6a with 10Gbps max speed transmission might be a better potential option?

The new/future NAS has 4Gbps max transfer speed, 1Gbps internet when that becomes more mainstream in the coming years, whilst even streaming 4k from the NAS to multiple network attached devices using the likes of Plex should still leave plenty of scope on CAT6a and come below 10Gpbs (if my numbers are correct)?

Re: Installing a Home Ethernet Network?
 

What I have been contemplating is setting up my network using PoE Mesh nodes around the house as well as wired. This way the nodes become part of the furniture with no visible wiring. With so many devices WiFi now cameras bulbs sockets and all the rest of the smart kit I am putting priority on a good WiFi network above the rest and backhauling all the Mesh network means full signal and speed everywhere

Re: Installing a Home Ethernet Network?
 

What ever Ethernet option you go for look at ease of upgrading cables, run channelling if possible.

Also make sure you have plenty of power sockets and consider a few unused on spare, and consider smart sockets.

Re: Installing a Home Ethernet Network?
 

Make it as future-proof as possible, and as easy as you can for upgrades at some point.

Re: Installing a Home Ethernet Network?
 

I'm notably seeing much better coverage from introducing a mesh network over just a standard router wifi.

Notably the existing house automation is done with Google Assistant, this also is linked with my LightwaveRF thermostats and light switches and works without any problems.

I was debating WAP more recently however given my mesh wifi network works great and the signal goes way beyond my property boundaries (I can get full wifi internet speeds right at the end of my garden where previously there was none), I'm not too fussed about going that route, especially as I can always purchase some additional mesh nodes and plug them into future planned ethernet ports to improve the coverage if needed.

---------- Post added at 14:43 ---------- Previous post was at 14:40 ----------

Well the house needs a complete rewire and the electrics are currently in a rather shoddy state with awful plug points added onto the skirting boards (lol).

Ultimately all the plug points are being done, with a number of rooms getting additional plug points where needed, whilst on sitting down and actually thinking about how many ethernets I'll conceivably need in the future, I think dual ethernet ports are likely worth doing (so around 16 ethernet ports in total).

Re: Installing a Home Ethernet Network?
 

Unless you live in a mansion, then yes, 6a will run at those speeds.

It really depends on what you want to pay, 7 would (in theory) be better, In practice, in an average house, you likely wont tell the difference.

A 4G transfer speed may be the theory, but unless what you are sending it to/from needs that speed (and can handle it) its not going to transfer that fast.

Re: Installing a Home Ethernet Network?
 

If you thinking of adding POE. Put a port or 2 near the outside coners of the house for CCTV

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07F3CH6...M2JJJ3PQQNXDJ5

Re: Installing a Home Ethernet Network?
 

You're over complicating things.
I set up a 'home network' about 10 years about. It involved lifting the edges of carpets ( whilst the wife was out ;) ) and stuffing loads of the cheapest ethernet in then connecting to router. Worked fine with full speeds around the house ever since :)

Re: Installing a Home Ethernet Network?
 

I should also say I have 3 Network Switches (5, 8, & 6),

Re: Installing a Home Ethernet Network?
 

Cat6 will be fine, 7 if you really want to future proof.


Bare in mind keeping Ethernet cables away from power cables and also ideally no 90 degree bends.


I'd also look at sending some cables up to the attic for IP CCTV cameras.

You can then have them go straight back into the NVR where they will be powered over POE.

Re: Installing a Home Ethernet Network?
 

This is part and parcel of what i'm doing, since i already have Cat 7 in place from when i did a dull rewire last year from Cat 5 i want to upgrade our Ethernet network to 10gb.