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I already confessed in the SAT discussion that I consider coax outlets and satellite dishes completely outdated since entertainment is streamed nowadays, and I’m not planning to include them in our new build (more on that in the SAT discussion).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!
I already confessed in the SAT discussion that I consider coax outlets and satellite dishes completely outdated since entertainment is streamed nowadays, and I’m not planning to include them in our new build (more on that in the SAT discussion).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!
untergasse4313 Nov 2020 14:34No. Nowadays, you basically can't get anything below Cat 6, and that is more than sufficient.
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Stefan2.8413 Nov 2020 14:38Ok. Great. Thank you. This whole topic is quite difficult for me, and honestly, I’m not very interested since I have little need in that area. We don’t use gaming systems and didn’t build with smart technology. It’s just not our interest. However, you shouldn’t completely ignore the topic. But I think I’ve almost understood it. I’ll know more in about a month at the latest…..
Stefan2.84 schrieb:
I have the bare cable without a connector coming out of the wall. [...] The cable doesn’t have a connector yet. What’s the difference if I (have someone) attach an RJ45(?) connector directly there?guckuck2 schrieb:
Even if you fail, you don’t have unlimited attempts to fix your work.Patch panels only have ports on the front because they are connected on the front side (patch side) with flexible, plug-in cables. Installation cables are stiffer and connect to the patch panels on the back side through fixed terminals (for example, LSA+ connectors). If you are considering, as an "alternative," to bring a cable “logically from the network side” but “physically from the patch side,” think of it like an electrical cable coming out of the wall with a plug face instead of a junction box. A patch panel (or a distribution box) always has "two sides of the coin": the provision side (network) and the distribution side (patch). For anyone already confused by this concept, it’s entirely okay to hire a professional without shame. A particularly important difference between the network and patch sides is that an installation cable (already installed through the house) is “finite” and gets shorter with every failed DIY attempt, while a patch cable – if not bought pre-terminated anyway – can still be used as a shorter patch cable or replaced for a small cost.Stefan2.84 schrieb:
Do I need a separate cable to operate the access point with PoE? Are there differences or anything I should consider regarding the cable?For both PoE and Gigabit, you need fully wired cables – but the unsuitable ones often have a clear “ISDN” warning label here ;-) PoE means “Power over Ethernet” and specifically implies that NO additional power cable is needed since the voltage is supplied over the data cable itself.https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
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Stefan2.8414 Nov 2020 08:54The electrician was also the one who just left the cable hanging out of the ceiling. In my opinion, he should have advised me better when I told him that I planned to install an access point there. But it’s not a big deal. I’m trying to learn and understand as much as possible and want to do it myself. However, I’m not going in blindly. I ask about possible solutions first, and then I try to do the installation. I have never laid tiles before either. Yesterday, I finished tiling my first room on my own (a small basement room). I want to use the house construction process to develop new skills. Since my knowledge about networking is basic, I’m trying to learn from your tips. Of course, if I realize (preferably early on) that I’m likely to fail, I will let a professional handle it. Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense. But overall, thanks for the helpful information. Even if I had to read 11ants’ post three times to understand it :-)
@Stefan2.84
Great approach! I’m doing the same, especially with the tiles 😀
The fact that you’re researching here and have already come across unifi solutions puts you ahead by a huge knowledge leap. You’re further along than I was two months ago, and I work in IT myself 😀
Great approach! I’m doing the same, especially with the tiles 😀
The fact that you’re researching here and have already come across unifi solutions puts you ahead by a huge knowledge leap. You’re further along than I was two months ago, and I work in IT myself 😀
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