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I already confessed in the SAT discussion that I consider coax outlets and satellite dishes completely outdated since entertainment is streamed nowadays, and I’m not planning to include them in our new build (more on that in the SAT discussion).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I already confessed in the SAT discussion that I consider coax outlets and satellite dishes completely outdated since entertainment is streamed nowadays, and I’m not planning to include them in our new build (more on that in the SAT discussion).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!
G
Grantlhaua30 Jan 2020 12:45€80 or maybe €70 per box is still quite steep, but well, sorry, if you’re building with a developer, you end up paying a premium not only for the network sockets...
Anyway, you always need power outlets.
The Cat 7 cables have to be consolidated somewhere, so besides the Fritzbox, I’ll need an additional switch. The costs for that have to be allocated per port.
The Cat 7 cables have to be consolidated somewhere, so besides the Fritzbox, I’ll need an additional switch. The costs for that have to be allocated per port.
Grantlhaua schrieb:As mentioned, this is an average value derived from several quotes.
80 or maybe 70€ per outlet is still quite steep, but well, sorry, if you build with a developer, you end up paying a lot not only for the network outlets...
G
Grantlhaua30 Jan 2020 13:20WingVII schrieb:
The Cat 7 cables need to be consolidated somewhere, so in addition to the Fritzbox, I’ll need another switch. The costs for this have to be allocated per port.I think you can estimate about 3–5€ per port for the patch panel, a switch, and the cables.
Yes, it will be a bit more, a 24-port patch panel plus a 24-port switch, so you’re looking at around 150€. That means for 16 outlets, it’s about 10€ (approx. $11) extra per connection.
I don’t think any electrician, general contractor, or builder will install high-end models without an additional charge; they will still charge well for the “basic” ones.
I don’t think any electrician, general contractor, or builder will install high-end models without an additional charge; they will still charge well for the “basic” ones.
G
Grantlhaua30 Jan 2020 13:36Mycraft schrieb:
Yes, it will be a bit more, a 24-port patch panel plus a 24-port switch comes to about €150. So with 16 outlets, that's roughly €10 per connection extra.Now you’ve made me check what I actually paid, and you're right. I paid €104 for the patch panel and switch. On top of that are the crimp connectors and the cable for the patch cords.
Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying—it’s really nothing to worry about. However, the added value is significant. While the future may be wireless, even 25 years after the first Wi-Fi devices were introduced, there are still many devices for which a cable is the better solution, and that will remain the case for quite some time.
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