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I already confessed in the SAT discussion that I consider coax outlets and satellite dishes completely outdated since entertainment is streamed nowadays, and I’m not planning to include them in our new build (more on that in the SAT discussion).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I already confessed in the SAT discussion that I consider coax outlets and satellite dishes completely outdated since entertainment is streamed nowadays, and I’m not planning to include them in our new build (more on that in the SAT discussion).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!
A separate Wi-Fi thread for everyone – is that really necessary? Continued here: https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/was-müsste-ich-bei-WLAN-beachten.34043/
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S
Stefan2.841 Nov 2020 16:21Hello,
I’m revisiting this topic because I need some product advice. Things are getting serious, but I still don’t have a clear understanding.
I hope I’m not criticized for the small number of network outlets, but I’ve decided that this will be enough. So, I have one single outlet in each room (4 rooms) and a double outlet in the living room.
Additionally, I have a CAT cable hanging from the ceiling on the ground floor and another from the ceiling on the upper floor. Each of these should connect to an access point. Since there is no power outlet there, they should be powered via PoE.
I also need a switch. The patch panel is already installed in a small server cabinet. The Fritzbox and the switch will be placed there as well. Now the question:
Which two access points and which compatible switch (there is a power outlet in the server cabinet) should I buy for my 8 cable connections? Ideally, please provide specific product models so everything fits and supports PoE.
I probably will never fully understand this topic.
I’m revisiting this topic because I need some product advice. Things are getting serious, but I still don’t have a clear understanding.
I hope I’m not criticized for the small number of network outlets, but I’ve decided that this will be enough. So, I have one single outlet in each room (4 rooms) and a double outlet in the living room.
Additionally, I have a CAT cable hanging from the ceiling on the ground floor and another from the ceiling on the upper floor. Each of these should connect to an access point. Since there is no power outlet there, they should be powered via PoE.
I also need a switch. The patch panel is already installed in a small server cabinet. The Fritzbox and the switch will be placed there as well. Now the question:
Which two access points and which compatible switch (there is a power outlet in the server cabinet) should I buy for my 8 cable connections? Ideally, please provide specific product models so everything fits and supports PoE.
I probably will never fully understand this topic.
S
Stefan2.841 Nov 2020 17:06For safety reasons, I installed a satellite dish on the roof. Magenta TV is also an option. However, at the beginning, we will continue as before with the FireTV Stick to watch occasional series here and there. The TV will stay as long as it works and is not particularly smart. We don’t watch that much TV anyway.
Using 8 network cables is an awkward number. If you want to connect them all to one switch, you will need a 16-port switch. Intermediate sizes between 8 and 16 ports are not very common. Alternatively, you could use an 8-port switch and connect one network cable to the router.
When it comes to access points, I’m a fan of UniFi. Either the Lite model as a budget option or the NanoHD. Which one to choose depends on the floor plan and your requirements. With only two PoE devices, I would use the included PoE injectors and opt for a switch without PoE.
How does the network cable come out of the ceiling? Is there an in-wall box (flush-mounted outlet) or a suspended ceiling where cables can be hidden? In a pinch, you can attach a field-terminated connector onto the cable, but it’s too large to connect directly to the access point. The best solution is to use a keystone module on the cable and then connect the access point with a very short patch cable. But for this, you need either an in-wall box or a suspended ceiling to hide everything.
How large is your network cabinet? Please share a photo.
Once we know your requirements in more detail, we can give you a recommendation.
When it comes to access points, I’m a fan of UniFi. Either the Lite model as a budget option or the NanoHD. Which one to choose depends on the floor plan and your requirements. With only two PoE devices, I would use the included PoE injectors and opt for a switch without PoE.
How does the network cable come out of the ceiling? Is there an in-wall box (flush-mounted outlet) or a suspended ceiling where cables can be hidden? In a pinch, you can attach a field-terminated connector onto the cable, but it’s too large to connect directly to the access point. The best solution is to use a keystone module on the cable and then connect the access point with a very short patch cable. But for this, you need either an in-wall box or a suspended ceiling to hide everything.
How large is your network cabinet? Please share a photo.
Once we know your requirements in more detail, we can give you a recommendation.
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