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I already confessed in the SAT discussion that I consider coax outlets and satellite dishes completely outdated since entertainment is streamed nowadays, and I’m not planning to include them in our new build (more on that in the SAT discussion).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!
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FloHB123
21 Feb 2020 15:54
Mycraft schrieb:

Anyone using repeaters either has no idea what they’re doing or simply has no other option, for example in an older building.

I see it differently. Maybe the person knows exactly what they’re doing or what their requirements are.
If the access point or repeater is only used for general internet browsing, it doesn’t really matter what you use.
The limiting factor is usually either the client device or the internet connection. If you only have an internet connection with 50-200Mbit/s and the children don’t have their own devices yet, repeaters will most likely be perfectly adequate. However, it does make sense to prepare everything so that access points can be installed on every floor if needed.

When the time comes that bandwidth demand can only be met with access points, you can still buy up-to-date hardware. Buying hardware now that will be outdated when it’s really needed simply doesn’t make sense.

Before that, a simple repeater on the first floor will most likely be sufficient.
11ant21 Feb 2020 23:19
FloHB123 schrieb:

Maybe the person also knows exactly what they are doing or what their requirements are. Because if the access point/repeater is used solely for surfing the internet, it doesn’t really matter what you use.
An "access point" (called exactly that in Wi-Fi contexts, while its DECT counterpart is often referred to as a "base station") provides network access, whereas a "repeater" with the same name in both cases only amplifies or extends the transmission or reception signal. When setting up a multi-cell wireless network, an access point or base station always forms the core of a cell, while a repeater’s job is to shape the cell’s edge: either by extending it, that is, pushing a circular cell into a corner where a separate cell would not be justified but the coverage would otherwise be weak; or by smoothing it, that is, making the cell round again where signal propagation is blocked by obstacles. In both IT and telecommunications applications, the repeater acts like a proxy—making the transmitter (base station/access point) and receiver (handset/device) believe they are closer together. Since you can’t amplify what isn’t there, a repeater is not an alternative to an access point/base station, but rather serves as a deputy to increase the number of these "full" access points. Interestingly, the proportion of people who don’t understand this fundamental difference is even higher among in-house IT support staff than among end users.
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fragg
24 Feb 2020 08:35
11ant schrieb:

An "Access Point" (which is called that in WLAN as well, while its DECT counterpart is referred to as a "Base") provides network access, whereas a "Repeater," called the same in both cases, only amplifies or extends the respective transmission or reception signal. When setting up a multi-cell wireless network, the core of each cell is always an Access Point / Base, while a Repeater’s role is to shape the edge of the cell: either by extending it — that is, pushing a circular cell into a corner where it wouldn’t make sense to install a separate cell, but coverage would otherwise be weak — or by bulging it back out, restoring a round shape where signal propagation is impeded by obstacles. In both IT and telecommunications (TK) applications, the Repeater essentially acts as a proxy — it makes the transmitter (Base / Access Point) and receiver (handset / end device) believe they are closer to each other than they actually are. You can’t amplify where there’s no signal: therefore, a Repeater isn’t an alternative to an Access Point / Base, but rather a deputy used to increase the number of these “full-fledged” access points. Strangely, the number of people who don’t understand this basic difference is higher among in-house IT support staff than among users.

One thing is 8 letters that flow off the fingers easily, the other is two words, where I constantly mistype at least the first one if I don’t type it regularly. When I search for repeater on Amazon, three of the first five results are actually devices that are also Access Points.

For a long time, I considered them synonymous, and I would actually describe myself as tech-savvy.
Mycraft24 Feb 2020 09:17
Well, it seems you have some catching up to do.

The same applies to the rest of the house construction. Everything has its own function and purpose.

However, similar-sounding items can serve different functions and essentially do so.

A vapor barrier and a vapor retarder sound similar, look similar, and are used in similar locations. But they have completely different functions, and confusing the two can lead to building damage.
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Stefan2.84
26 Feb 2020 08:00
I have now understood what I can or should do. The plan is to place the router in the basement. Then, the switch and patch panel will go into a small server cabinet. I still need to decide on the exact position in the basement. From there, I will distribute the connections to the respective rooms I have chosen. Fixed devices will be connected in those rooms—so only TVs and PCs, maybe a game console for my son in the future. Whether to use double or single sockets will depend on the room. Then, there will be one connection to the attic for an access point to cover the upper floor. Another access point in the living area will cover the ground floor. Ideally, the router in the basement will also provide Wi-Fi to the basement itself, including the interior garage.

I think I have understood this correctly so far?

Now, the question is how to handle the telephone. I have already visited the recommended telephone forums but am still confused. Basically, I want a landline phone in the living area and maybe one upstairs. It is mostly needed only when grandma or the in-laws call; otherwise, it’s hardly used anymore. How do I connect them to the router located in the basement? As I have learned, telephone sockets are outdated. Does that leave only DECT? Will it work if the router is in the basement and there are reinforced concrete floors in between?

I’m sure my questions sound amateurish... but I am a beginner in this area.
Mycraft26 Feb 2020 08:38
With DECT, it depends on the device. The well-known Gigaset models have proven to be quite reliable and can sometimes maintain the signal even through two reinforced concrete ceilings.

However, I would check if the router already includes DECT and try that first.

Regarding the rest, it sounds like a solid plan. Single or double wall sockets usually don’t differ much in price. For that reason, I would install only double sockets.