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I already confessed in the SAT discussion that I consider coax outlets and satellite dishes completely outdated since entertainment is streamed nowadays, and I’m not planning to include them in our new build (more on that in the SAT discussion).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I already confessed in the SAT discussion that I consider coax outlets and satellite dishes completely outdated since entertainment is streamed nowadays, and I’m not planning to include them in our new build (more on that in the SAT discussion).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!
This is how it looks. Depending on the model, it is also possible to temporarily increase the transmission power beyond the allowed level for testing purposes, but in some cases, this hardly makes any difference due to the significant attenuation caused by reinforced concrete/glass/...
Otherwise, I am still looking for an access point that can radiate around corners, but unfortunately, such a device does not exist. 😉
Otherwise, I am still looking for an access point that can radiate around corners, but unfortunately, such a device does not exist. 😉
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SteffenBank7 Jan 2021 10:09I really have to wonder what you all have against houses. Currently, I have a TP Link Deco M3 mesh system installed in my home, and the signal is excellent everywhere—even my robotic lawn mower still gets a connection at its base station, which is 20m (65 feet) in a straight line from the nearest Deco unit.
But as some have already mentioned, devices with a LAN port should definitely be connected via LAN. In our residential area, the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band is heavily congested on all channels.
But as some have already mentioned, devices with a LAN port should definitely be connected via LAN. In our residential area, the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band is heavily congested on all channels.
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SteffenBank7 Jan 2021 10:41Ok, I should test the 5GHz band. But the Deco units definitely communicate with each other via 5GHz, and that works. One Deco is located on the ground floor in the home office, and the second one is on the first floor on the opposite side of the house. Fortunately, it works well for me.
@rick2018 17 access points? That's intense. How large is the house, and what materials are used in the walls that cause such high signal loss?
@rick2018 17 access points? That's intense. How large is the house, and what materials are used in the walls that cause such high signal loss?
It’s important to always consider the building conditions when setting up Wi-Fi. Often, people say, "I only have drywall." However, few realize that drywall consists of gypsum boards, which contain a significant amount of bound water. Water and Wi-Fi don’t mix well. This was just one example alongside reinforced concrete.
What is also often overlooked is the client device. You can install very powerful access points, but if the client can’t successfully communicate back to the access point, it won’t work.
If you want Wi-Fi in your garden, you should plan for an outdoor access point from the start. It should, of course, be protected against direct physical access.
What is also often overlooked is the client device. You can install very powerful access points, but if the client can’t successfully communicate back to the access point, it won’t work.
If you want Wi-Fi in your garden, you should plan for an outdoor access point from the start. It should, of course, be protected against direct physical access.
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