Thread: Building a network in a small office.
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Old 31-03-2005, 14:17   #8
Stuart
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Re: Building a network in a small office.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SMHarman
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.
As long as the cable runs (from Switch to PC/Printer) are likely to be less than 100m, then I would recommend installing multiple sockets in each room. Double what you currently need (so, if you actually need two sockets in a room, install four - it should provide some future proofing), and connect each of these to a central patch panel. Remember, you don't need to buy switches for all the sockets.

Ideally, the patch panel (and server) should be placed in it's own air conditioned (if not air conditioned, well ventilated) room. If an extra room is not available, you can buy glass fronted patch cabinets (http://rswww.com is probably the best place). The Krone MiniLan (can't provide a link, but click on "Cables & Connectors", "Networking/Communications" then "Krone Connector system") seems a good system, but it seems to be a 10 inch rack, so your options for mounting switches and hubs may be limited.

Regarding hubs and switches. I would recommend you use Switches, with a Gigabit uplink to the server (if possible). If the server has two NICs, then connect one to the Cable/ADSL modem. You can then use Internet Connection Sharing (I believe - I haven't tried it on 2k3) to share the network connection with the internal LAN>
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