ᐅ Are Ethernet ports still relevant today? Wi-Fi and wireless connections are the future!
Created on: 29 Jan 2020 21:06
B
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I already confessed in the SAT discussion that I consider coax outlets and satellite dishes completely outdated since entertainment is streamed nowadays, and I’m not planning to include them in our new build (more on that in the SAT discussion).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I already confessed in the SAT discussion that I consider coax outlets and satellite dishes completely outdated since entertainment is streamed nowadays, and I’m not planning to include them in our new build (more on that in the SAT discussion).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!
Stefan2.84 schrieb:
So, does DECT still work? Will it function if the router is in the basement and there are reinforced concrete ceilings in between?
I’m sure my questions sound amateurish... but I’m a beginner in this area. I use Fritzboxes as access points; they handle both Wi-Fi and DECT. You then connect the phones to the Fritzbox. You might want to look out for a set that includes the 7590 and 1750e. That way, you get one access point and one Fritzbox as a DECT access point. Both can also work in a mesh setup.
For example, at MM there is currently a set including the 7590, 1750, and FRITZ!Fon C4 for 269.99.
Alternatively, you could set up a notification on my dealz, as the set without the phone occasionally goes on sale for around 180.
S
Stefan2.8426 Feb 2020 09:43Now I am a lot wiser. Very good. Thank you.
At first, I would generally avoid using the FritzBoxes as access points for aesthetic reasons. I have already gotten used to the Ubiquiti UniFi access points.
A FritzBox or a similar router that supports DECT can be placed in the basement, hoping the signal reaches the upper floor. Since the second access point is supposed to go into the attic, which is out of sight anyway, another FritzBox could be an option there. The important thing is to run the necessary cables to the right spots.
However, I am facing the usual problem you have when you don’t know much and are building with a general contractor. “Telephone connections” were offered for every room. As I have learned, I don’t actually need those. Now I have to wait for the additional cost for the required network cables. I will have to discuss this with the electrician. If, according to the delivery scope, the electrician is already making the chases for the telephone connections, he could also install suitable empty conduits to keep the costs reasonable. I will take care of the rest.
At first, I would generally avoid using the FritzBoxes as access points for aesthetic reasons. I have already gotten used to the Ubiquiti UniFi access points.
A FritzBox or a similar router that supports DECT can be placed in the basement, hoping the signal reaches the upper floor. Since the second access point is supposed to go into the attic, which is out of sight anyway, another FritzBox could be an option there. The important thing is to run the necessary cables to the right spots.
However, I am facing the usual problem you have when you don’t know much and are building with a general contractor. “Telephone connections” were offered for every room. As I have learned, I don’t actually need those. Now I have to wait for the additional cost for the required network cables. I will have to discuss this with the electrician. If, according to the delivery scope, the electrician is already making the chases for the telephone connections, he could also install suitable empty conduits to keep the costs reasonable. I will take care of the rest.
We installed a double outlet under the window in every room. A desk will be placed somewhere nearby, and the rest will be connected with cables.
The children’s rooms are obviously still unused since the kids are too young.
The living room has four outlets: one for the TV, one for the gaming console, one for the satellite receiver, and one still free.
On the opposite wall, there are three more outlets: one for the printer, one for the robotic mower gateway, and one for the docking station (home office).
There is also an outlet in the garage, where my husband’s Xbox is connected.
In the bedroom, a second TV is connected to the outlet.
The children’s rooms will later be supplied with TV and console/PC via LAN.
So, all outlets will be in use in the future.
Of course, we didn’t install an outlet in every corner. That’s what cables are for.
I remember my youth. My parents built a house. Every room had a LAN connection, but my father was too stingy (for whatever reason) to have all the cables connected. So we all used Wi-Fi. Thanks to the thick concrete ceiling, the reception was mediocre. One access point constantly malfunctioned and lost connection. I don’t know why.
We were all frustrated because everyone was moving at snail’s pace. That was 15 years ago.
Nowadays, Wi-Fi performs much better. However, games, movies, and websites are becoming more resource-intensive. Along with that, there are security concerns and connection stability to consider.
The children’s rooms are obviously still unused since the kids are too young.
The living room has four outlets: one for the TV, one for the gaming console, one for the satellite receiver, and one still free.
On the opposite wall, there are three more outlets: one for the printer, one for the robotic mower gateway, and one for the docking station (home office).
There is also an outlet in the garage, where my husband’s Xbox is connected.
In the bedroom, a second TV is connected to the outlet.
The children’s rooms will later be supplied with TV and console/PC via LAN.
So, all outlets will be in use in the future.
Of course, we didn’t install an outlet in every corner. That’s what cables are for.
I remember my youth. My parents built a house. Every room had a LAN connection, but my father was too stingy (for whatever reason) to have all the cables connected. So we all used Wi-Fi. Thanks to the thick concrete ceiling, the reception was mediocre. One access point constantly malfunctioned and lost connection. I don’t know why.
We were all frustrated because everyone was moving at snail’s pace. That was 15 years ago.
Nowadays, Wi-Fi performs much better. However, games, movies, and websites are becoming more resource-intensive. Along with that, there are security concerns and connection stability to consider.
Evolith schrieb:
I remember my youth. My parents were building a house. Every room had a LAN connection, but my father was too stingy (for whatever reason) to have all the cables connected. So we all used Wi-Fi. Thanks to the thick concrete ceiling, the reception was poor. One access point kept messing up and losing connection. Don’t ask me why.Reading that made me smile a little. It reminded me of sitting with my grandpa on New Year’s, watching ski jumping in Garmisch in black and white. At grandpa’s house, because my parents couldn’t afford a TV yet. And now I learn that husbands have Xboxes in the garage. I tend to imagine those gadgets belong to teenagers. Well, everything flows, as they said in ancient times.Nordlys schrieb:
And I’m learning that these days, husbands have Xbox consoles in the garage. I usually imagine these things belong to teenagers. Well, as they said in ancient times, everything flows.The average age of gamers in 2018 was 36 years. Of the total number, 28% were aged 50 and over.
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