Hi guys, second thread topic here.
First some background:
So I am having a new home built and had them run Cat5e to most rooms in the house. The builder had an $1700.00 "Structured Wiring" package which I found out was a small ONq panel in the Master closet with everything homerun to that. No Thanks!
So since I did not go with that all of the Cat5 and RG-6 is homerun to the exterior low voltage panel. This panel is accessible from the exterior of the house and backs to the garage, it is just a plywood panel mounted between the studs behind the cover and is the telco/cableco demarc, however they installed a "Mothering Hole" into the garage.
I want to install most of my network equipment, alarm panel, server etc.. in a closet which is located on the second floor above the garage and which I have very easy access via conduit from the garage so running wiring from the garage to there is no problem. This closet has 2 cat 5's in it and one RG-6.
So here are my ideas and not sure which is best or if there is an idea I have not thought of.
First I am thinking I will cut out the drywall on the inside of the garage, remove the plywood and install a structured wiring enclosure and seal off the access from the outside. Inside that I will be able to have nice distribution of the RG-6 (anticipate cable internet and Sat TV) not likely to have phone but that as well if added later. once thats done I am not sure which route to take for the LAN.
For the LAN I was thinking to extend all the Cat5 to be homerun into the the equipment closet and have everything in there. (Unfortunately this makes it a waste that I paid for Cat5's in that closet but maybe I can find a future use for them as runs to the garage.) Also I will run another RG-6 for the cable modem. What is the best way to do this? Is there a punch down block to punchdown block? Or do I use a patch panel in the garage and terminate the garage ends of the new runs with RJ-45 and then terminate the equipment closet ends to another patch panel that I can then patch to the switch? I like this overall idea as it keeps everything together in the main equipment closet. My only worry here is properly extending the Cat5's.
As an alternative I was thinking to put a wall mount locking enclosure in the garage to have the modem, pfsense box, and switch in. This would add the cost of the enclosure but I would not have to extend the Cat5's
Or as a partial version of that put the modem and switch in the garage structured wiring enclosure and have the pfsense box in the equipment closet.
With these two it seems like I am adding costs and worry about the garage environment for the equipment but seems easier for wiring.
What do you guys think?
Thanks!
First some background:
So I am having a new home built and had them run Cat5e to most rooms in the house. The builder had an $1700.00 "Structured Wiring" package which I found out was a small ONq panel in the Master closet with everything homerun to that. No Thanks!
So since I did not go with that all of the Cat5 and RG-6 is homerun to the exterior low voltage panel. This panel is accessible from the exterior of the house and backs to the garage, it is just a plywood panel mounted between the studs behind the cover and is the telco/cableco demarc, however they installed a "Mothering Hole" into the garage.
I want to install most of my network equipment, alarm panel, server etc.. in a closet which is located on the second floor above the garage and which I have very easy access via conduit from the garage so running wiring from the garage to there is no problem. This closet has 2 cat 5's in it and one RG-6.
So here are my ideas and not sure which is best or if there is an idea I have not thought of.
First I am thinking I will cut out the drywall on the inside of the garage, remove the plywood and install a structured wiring enclosure and seal off the access from the outside. Inside that I will be able to have nice distribution of the RG-6 (anticipate cable internet and Sat TV) not likely to have phone but that as well if added later. once thats done I am not sure which route to take for the LAN.
For the LAN I was thinking to extend all the Cat5 to be homerun into the the equipment closet and have everything in there. (Unfortunately this makes it a waste that I paid for Cat5's in that closet but maybe I can find a future use for them as runs to the garage.) Also I will run another RG-6 for the cable modem. What is the best way to do this? Is there a punch down block to punchdown block? Or do I use a patch panel in the garage and terminate the garage ends of the new runs with RJ-45 and then terminate the equipment closet ends to another patch panel that I can then patch to the switch? I like this overall idea as it keeps everything together in the main equipment closet. My only worry here is properly extending the Cat5's.
As an alternative I was thinking to put a wall mount locking enclosure in the garage to have the modem, pfsense box, and switch in. This would add the cost of the enclosure but I would not have to extend the Cat5's
Or as a partial version of that put the modem and switch in the garage structured wiring enclosure and have the pfsense box in the equipment closet.
With these two it seems like I am adding costs and worry about the garage environment for the equipment but seems easier for wiring.
What do you guys think?
Thanks!