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SMHarman · 31-03-2005, 12:52

Whats the best way to do this. I know the basics - I need a router and runs of CAT5e, I guess a patch panel and wall boxes, but I suppose the bit I get confused on is how many cables.

Do I only need to run one to each room of the building (it is a small 800 sqft office with 5 rooms) or should I be running a cable from the panel for each device on the network.

Are there any other considerations if I am putting VoIP phones on the network?

I was thinking the Linksys BEFSR81 would probably be an adequate router. Or should I get a gigaswitch like the Linksys EG008W. Or could I just use a WRT54G and avoid the need to get a separate wireless access point, though this only has 4 ports, so I would need hubs to combine the cables from the rooms?

Initially this will be a file and printersharing network, in time I would be planning to add a Windows SBE2003 Server to run exchange / outlook etc. Web hosting would all be external to this environment. It would connect to the world through an NTL cable or ADSL (which is where with BT you can add two VoIP telephone numbers).

Thanks - advice is appreciated.

31-03-2005, 12:52	#1
SMHarman Inactive Join Date: Jun 2003 Services: Cablevision Posts: 8,305	Building a network in a small office. Whats the best way to do this. I know the basics - I need a router and runs of CAT5e, I guess a patch panel and wall boxes, but I suppose the bit I get confused on is how many cables. Do I only need to run one to each room of the building (it is a small 800 sqft office with 5 rooms) or should I be running a cable from the panel for each device on the network. Are there any other considerations if I am putting VoIP phones on the network? I was thinking the Linksys BEFSR81 would probably be an adequate router. Or should I get a gigaswitch like the Linksys EG008W. Or could I just use a WRT54G and avoid the need to get a separate wireless access point, though this only has 4 ports, so I would need hubs to combine the cables from the rooms? Initially this will be a file and printersharing network, in time I would be planning to add a Windows SBE2003 Server to run exchange / outlook etc. Web hosting would all be external to this environment. It would connect to the world through an NTL cable or ADSL (which is where with BT you can add two VoIP telephone numbers). Thanks - advice is appreciated.