ᐅ Are Ethernet ports still relevant today? Wi-Fi and wireless connections are the future!
Created on: 29 Jan 2020 21:06
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Bauherr am L
Hello fellow cable enthusiasts and Wi-Fi addicts,
I already confessed in the SAT discussion that I consider coax outlets and satellite dishes completely outdated since entertainment is streamed nowadays, and I’m not planning to include them in our new build (more on that in the SAT discussion). But that’s not what this is about.
Right now, I’m trying to smartly distribute LAN duplex Cat 6a and Cat7 cable outlets throughout the rooms (1st floor: 2 kids’ rooms, kids’ bathroom, master bedroom, dressing room, master bathroom, hallway; 2nd floor: open living/dining/kitchen area, hallway, entrance area, guest restroom).
On one hand, I feel like none of the rooms really fit the outlets perfectly, like: “the desk could go here…” But what if the TV ends up in that corner instead?
On the other hand, I’m looking at our current devices and very few still have LAN ports: MacBooks, iPhones, tablets, or devices that have LAN options but mostly connect via Wi-Fi anyway, like Sonos, printers, TVs.
So the question arises whether LAN ports in rooms are still that important today. I’m not talking about the Wi-Fi access points, which of course should be connected via LAN in a convenient location, or special cases like PoE cameras and door intercoms. I’m mainly referring to the LAN outlets in individual rooms. Most end devices are mobile anyway, and the outlets will be in the wrong place 99% of the time.
I read (yes, I spent some time researching this) that the cost of LAN outlets is negligible. Well, if I install duplex outlets in all those questionable locations, the cost for switches and everything else adds up to a nice chunk.
I would be interested in your opinion on this. Since I am straightforwardly skipping any traditional TV (in our case only satellite would be possible) and the corresponding connections, wouldn’t it be consistent to also counteract the outlet overload regarding LAN?
Looking forward to your comments, thanks!
I already confessed in the SAT discussion that I consider coax outlets and satellite dishes completely outdated since entertainment is streamed nowadays, and I’m not planning to include them in our new build (more on that in the SAT discussion). But that’s not what this is about.
Right now, I’m trying to smartly distribute LAN duplex Cat 6a and Cat7 cable outlets throughout the rooms (1st floor: 2 kids’ rooms, kids’ bathroom, master bedroom, dressing room, master bathroom, hallway; 2nd floor: open living/dining/kitchen area, hallway, entrance area, guest restroom).
On one hand, I feel like none of the rooms really fit the outlets perfectly, like: “the desk could go here…” But what if the TV ends up in that corner instead?
On the other hand, I’m looking at our current devices and very few still have LAN ports: MacBooks, iPhones, tablets, or devices that have LAN options but mostly connect via Wi-Fi anyway, like Sonos, printers, TVs.
So the question arises whether LAN ports in rooms are still that important today. I’m not talking about the Wi-Fi access points, which of course should be connected via LAN in a convenient location, or special cases like PoE cameras and door intercoms. I’m mainly referring to the LAN outlets in individual rooms. Most end devices are mobile anyway, and the outlets will be in the wrong place 99% of the time.
I read (yes, I spent some time researching this) that the cost of LAN outlets is negligible. Well, if I install duplex outlets in all those questionable locations, the cost for switches and everything else adds up to a nice chunk.
I would be interested in your opinion on this. Since I am straightforwardly skipping any traditional TV (in our case only satellite would be possible) and the corresponding connections, wouldn’t it be consistent to also counteract the outlet overload regarding LAN?
Looking forward to your comments, thanks!
B
Bauherr am L29 Jan 2020 22:07rick2018 schrieb:
@fragg
https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/Anzahl-Netzwerkdosen-wie-WLAN-im-Neubau-planen.32069/post-344077I had already read that, I basically wanted a discussion focused solely on this question...
Sometimes it’s just speculation.
So, do you have very slow internet? In that case, the internal network plays a smaller role for now. Only when you get faster internet...
Large amounts of data can also be sent to the printer.
A single network outlet is better than none, but I wouldn’t save money just to spend a few euros less. Install a duplex outlet and that’s it.
Maybe later you’ll add a NAS, an additional access point, a scanner... then you’ll be glad you have them.
Of course, you can always overdo it. If I remember correctly, we will have 6 LAN ports behind the TV in the living room.
Wherever you plan an outlet now, use duplex. Except on the ceiling for the access point—a single outlet is enough there.
So, do you have very slow internet? In that case, the internal network plays a smaller role for now. Only when you get faster internet...
Large amounts of data can also be sent to the printer.
A single network outlet is better than none, but I wouldn’t save money just to spend a few euros less. Install a duplex outlet and that’s it.
Maybe later you’ll add a NAS, an additional access point, a scanner... then you’ll be glad you have them.
Of course, you can always overdo it. If I remember correctly, we will have 6 LAN ports behind the TV in the living room.
Wherever you plan an outlet now, use duplex. Except on the ceiling for the access point—a single outlet is enough there.
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Bauherr am L29 Jan 2020 22:19rick2018 schrieb:
Where you are planning an outlet now, always use a duplex. Except at the ceiling near the access point. There, a single is sufficient. I agree—if you’re installing an outlet, then make it duplex. But for me, it’s more about whether an outlet is needed at all...
I could rearrange a child’s bedroom so many times that I should probably install four (duplex) outlets... And if I plan to use one of the children’s rooms as an office with a guest combination, then good luck with the planning...
With this reasoning, you shouldn’t install any electrical outlets either.
Of course, usage can change over time, but you plan primarily for the main needs. Especially for children’s rooms and later office use, I would never skip outlets.
You generally have a good idea of where the child or you will place the desk in the office. So, put an outlet on that wall. There are probably outlets there anyway. Even if the desk is moved, outlets are often hidden behind furniture. Just use a longer cable and it’s fine.
Even if resale value probably doesn’t matter: I wouldn’t buy a newer house without proper wiring. You’d have to tear everything open first… saving a few dollars limits the pool of potential buyers…
Of course, usage can change over time, but you plan primarily for the main needs. Especially for children’s rooms and later office use, I would never skip outlets.
You generally have a good idea of where the child or you will place the desk in the office. So, put an outlet on that wall. There are probably outlets there anyway. Even if the desk is moved, outlets are often hidden behind furniture. Just use a longer cable and it’s fine.
Even if resale value probably doesn’t matter: I wouldn’t buy a newer house without proper wiring. You’d have to tear everything open first… saving a few dollars limits the pool of potential buyers…
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