ᐅ Frame inspection with the electrician: network planning. I’m feeling anxious.

Dear forum,

Next week we have the shell inspection with the electrician scheduled, and I want to give him as clear instructions and requests as possible regarding the network planning. Since I only gained insight here thanks to the forum, but still seem to have more knowledge than he does, I would appreciate your feedback on a few open points or some reassurance.

Basically:
Since networking is not his specialty, I plan to get a 19" network cabinet, a 19" power strip, and a 24-port patch panel, and ask him to mount the cabinet, connect and ground the power strip and patch panel, and bring the installation cables together at the patch panel and label them. Is this generally reasonable and feasible? Am I forgetting anything?

Unclear points:
1. The electrician’s job is then to terminate the network cables in the rooms/ceilings with network outlets/keystone jacks, and for the ceilings specifically for the access points, right?
2. His task in the technical room is to connect the installation cables directly to the patch panel, correct? Keystone modules don’t make sense there, do they?
3. My task when everything is finished is to connect the patch panel to the switch using patch cables, correct?
4. Currently, four access points with PoE are planned. Do I need to consider anything regarding the patch panel or switch for this?
5. Cat 7 is the standard. Should I mention this?
6. How many rack units (U) should I choose for the network cabinet? The FritzBox should be housed there as well. A NAS is not planned.

1: Correct, the electrician should handle the connections. For the network cables coming out of the ceiling for the access points, always install an outlet box where you can place the keystone jack and a short patch cable.

2: I would use keystone jacks in the network cabinet as well. This allows you to reorganize the cables later or replace the cabinet without dealing with a bulky patch panel full of cables. It’s important that the individual cables are measured and a test report is provided. You can source the other components yourself.

4: You don’t need to worry about the patch panel or keystone jacks. For the switch, you should choose one based on the desired features and functionality.

5: I still consider CAT 7 to be the standard. More important, in my opinion, is to coordinate with the electrician to install the cables in a way that they can be easily replaced. Nothing is more future-proof than a sufficiently sized conduit.

6: You need to answer this for yourself, since we don’t know the size of your installation. Definitely plan some spare capacity and avoid filling the cabinet completely from the start.

There’s no need to be intimidated by all of this. If you have a friend with some networking knowledge, consider involving them.

What kind of internet connection will you have? DSL, cable, fiber optic? Is the connection point right next to the network cabinet or somewhere else? Depending on that, you might need an additional cable running to that location.

The usual method for providing power to a network cabinet is to have two surface-mounted outlets either inside or directly beneath/next to the cabinet. This way, you can plug in the power strip for the 19" rack yourself. Small devices such as routers and switches can then be connected to this strip. Some recommend using a small UPS or at least a surge-protected outlet.

Patch panels should definitely use keystone modules, as mentioned above.

Electricians who are not familiar with networking will hardly be able to produce a meaningful test report because they lack the necessary measuring equipment, which is very expensive (in the range of 5,000–10,000 euros) such as Fluke DSP or similar. These electricians usually use a basic tool costing around 10 euros to simply check the continuity of all wires. In private residential settings, this level of testing is generally sufficient.

hanse987 schrieb:

Regarding point 2: I would also use keystone modules in the network cabinet. This way, you can reorganize the cables later if needed, or if you want to replace the cabinet, you won’t have a bulky patch panel with a huge number of cables attached.

Wait, I’m a bit confused. I thought the installation cables are cut and terminated on the back of the patch panel (see screenshots). How does it work with your suggested method? Is the incoming keystone module simply clipped into a rail (photo 3)?

hanse987 schrieb:

What kind of internet connection do you have? DSL, cable, fiber optic? Is the connection point right next to the network cabinet or somewhere else? Depending on that, you might need an additional cable to be run.

Thanks. For now, it’s DSL; fiber optic is planned for next year. Will I need to run another network cable from the telephone connection to the network cabinet?

i_b_n_a_n schrieb:

Electricians like that usually use a €10 tool to simply check continuity of all wires. Generally, nothing more is required for private installations.

But then the advantage of a paid service disappears. You might as well do it yourself.

fromthisplace schrieb:

Is the incoming keystone module simply clipped into a rail?

Correct. There are two options when terminating network cables: keystone or LSA (as shown in the other two pictures).

fromthisplace schrieb:

Does another network cable need to run from the telephone connection to the network cabinet?

It depends somewhat on the local conditions. For DSL, I would place my first TAE socket right next to the network cabinet. For fiber optic, it depends. Either install an ONT (requiring a power outlet) and then use a network cable to the router, or connect the router directly via fiber optic. If everything is in the house distribution box (HAR), the cables can later be surface mounted.

Edit: I found the "big" electrical thread again and will continue posting there.