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I already confessed in the SAT discussion that I consider coax outlets and satellite dishes completely outdated since entertainment is streamed nowadays, and I’m not planning to include them in our new build (more on that in the SAT discussion).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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goalkeeper
4 Nov 2020 10:45
Grobmutant schrieb:

In your picture, it looks like the access point has only 2 Ethernet ports. Is that the in-wall AC?

Exactly – two Ethernet ports.
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Stefan2.84
13 Nov 2020 07:47
I need to ask something again. In my case, the bare cable without a plug is coming out of the wall. I understand that I will have to make a small spacer for it. The cable still doesn’t have a plug. What is the difference between installing an RJ45(?) plug directly on the cable myself (or having it done) versus attaching a keystone module and then using a short patch cable to connect to the access point? What am I missing here? Thanks
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guckuck2
13 Nov 2020 08:00
The patch cable is flexible, while the installation cable is rigid/stiff.
You will have difficulty attaching a connector to it at all (with field-terminable connectors it’s possible), and as a result, you’ll have trouble plugging the connector into the device.
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Stefan2.84
13 Nov 2020 08:13
Ah, OK. That sounds logical. However, it would still be (purely theoretical) possible to significantly shorten the cable coming from the ceiling, attach a plug, and then somehow try to force the rather stiff cable into the access point by pressing it in.
Mycraft13 Nov 2020 09:34
Of course, you are free to make the same mistakes that others have already made.
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Stefan2.84
13 Nov 2020 09:37
I was just speaking theoretically. I want to understand the whole thing since I am completely new to this. However, I will of course carry it out in the best possible way.