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I already confessed in the SAT discussion that I consider coax outlets and satellite dishes completely outdated since entertainment is streamed nowadays, and I’m not planning to include them in our new build (more on that in the SAT discussion).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I already confessed in the SAT discussion that I consider coax outlets and satellite dishes completely outdated since entertainment is streamed nowadays, and I’m not planning to include them in our new build (more on that in the SAT discussion).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!
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Strahleman30 Jan 2020 09:53Bauherr am L schrieb:
The majority of devices used nowadays depend on Wi-Fi and don’t even have a LAN port...Of course, if you connect your washing machine and coffee machine as well, naturally more devices will run over Wi-Fi. It always depends on your personal needs. For us, about 75% of the devices are stationary and therefore wired (2 PCs, 1 printer, 2 TVs/FireTVs, 1 stereo receiver, 1 NAS, etc.). On Wi-Fi, we would only have two smartphones and one tablet, if it weren’t for the poor LAN situation in our home.
As I said, we currently live in a Wi-Fi-enabled house. It’s fine, but where possible, I would still plan for LAN outlets. In my view, Wi-Fi is not a luxury; if anything, LAN outlets are.
Another factor: with each device connected to the Wi-Fi, a fundamental security risk is added. Wi-Fi can easily be attacked from outside, whereas a LAN still requires physical access as usual.
It is no coincidence that in larger companies Wi-Fi and LAN are two separate networks, and Wi-Fi is only provided for internet access for guests.
It is no coincidence that in larger companies Wi-Fi and LAN are two separate networks, and Wi-Fi is only provided for internet access for guests.
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Bauherr am L30 Jan 2020 09:58Strahleman schrieb:
Sure, if you also connect your washing machine and coffee machine, obviously there will be significantly more devices running on Wi-Fi. It always depends on your individual needs. For us, 75% of devices are stationary and therefore wired (2 PCs, 1 printer, 2 TVs/FireTV, 1 stereo receiver, 1 NAS, ...). On Wi-Fi, we would only have two smartphones and one tablet—if it weren’t for the poor LAN setup in our home.
As I said, we currently live in a Wi-Fi-only house. It’s okay, but where possible, I would still plan for Ethernet outlets. In my opinion, Wi-Fi is not a luxury; rather, the wired ports are. I think you’re right—it’s an individual matter. All our stationary PCs have long been put aside. Here, everyone only uses a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. I would also want to connect a decent printer via Ethernet, as well as the TVs in their obvious locations. The NAS would go straight into the technical room, so there wouldn’t be an outlet in any living space...
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Bauherr am L30 Jan 2020 10:00Scout schrieb:
Another factor: every device added to Wi-Fi introduces a fundamental security risk. Wi-Fi can easily be attacked from outside, whereas a LAN still requires physical access.
It’s no coincidence that in larger companies, Wi-Fi and LAN are two separate networks, and Wi-Fi is only provided for guest internet access. I consider this argument irrelevant for a single-family home where no secret agent lives. Business environments are completely different. Even there, many companies often allow remote Wi-Fi work.
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Grantlhaua30 Jan 2020 10:03One argument in favor of LAN sockets is that you can turn off the Wi-Fi at night while sleeping, while stationary devices can continue running to, for example, record something on the TV or perform an update,...
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