ᐅ Number of network outlets; how to plan Wi-Fi in a new build?

rick2018 schrieb:

Sonos Wi-Fi usually causes interference and problems. Therefore, turn it off and just use LAN. Ideally, place it in a separate (V)LAN.
This is useful anyway for IoT devices.

More work on the network infrastructure is required when using Sonos over LAN. The keyword is STP.

I just assumed that for now.

Hello everyone,

I’m jumping in here at a fitting moment. After reading through these 14 pages, I realized that I’ve somewhat neglected the LAN/access point topic for our house... luckily, there’s still some time until the final material selection. So I would really appreciate your advice here:

Semi-detached house with 124 sqm (1,335 sq ft) and a small garden; basement, ground floor, first floor, attic
Area is only about 5.3 x 11 m (17 x 36 ft)
Staircase along the interior wall, centered
Exterior walls made of calcium silicate bricks, interior walls entirely drywall

So far, I have planned empty conduit pipes in the living room, bedroom, child’s room 1, child’s room 2, and office to pull through a duplex LAN cable later (I found 400€ per double LAN socket quite expensive...). Until now, we have been using a Tenda Nova mesh system in our rental apartment, which seemed fine, but after reading here, it looks like it can be done much better...

How many access points (e.g., the Ubiquiti AC Lite mentioned here) would you recommend? Are two enough (e.g., one on the ground floor and one in the attic)?
Where would be the best locations for these? In the stairwell or hallway on the ground floor and attic? Mounted on the ceiling or on the wall?
Is a corresponding PoE injector sufficient, or does it make more sense to install a suitable PoE switch in the basement (where the router should be located)? Which switch would you recommend?

Depending on your recommendations, I would then plan to install 2–3 empty conduit pipes in the hallway/stairwell for this.

Thanks for your answers!

Ideally, the APs are installed on the ceiling; the manufacturer provides the radiation pattern as a diagram. However, I also plan to mount them on the wall—in a floor plan very similar to yours—on the wall of the enclosed stairwell. This way, my floor is essentially illuminated away from the neighbor. I plan one on the ground floor and one on the first floor. I will only install one in the basement if necessary. The attic is the master bedroom, where an in-wall access point might be used if truly needed.

Two access points, each mounted on the hallway ceiling on the ground floor and first floor, should be sufficient. The main distribution board is then in the basement? There, you can also operate the router as a separate access point.

For the empty conduits, it’s best to install cables, at least on the longest runs. CAT7, especially as duplex cable, is very difficult to pull through multiple floors and bends. For example, running it from the basement to the attic with four bends can easily cause problems, leaving you with an empty outlet in the end. Installing a distribution box halfway can help solve this issue. Alternatively, have the general electrical contractor install the cables at least where you really need them (such as in the office) and where the cable runs are long.

I would recommend getting a PoE switch right away—one less device and one less power supply to worry about. Plus, you can supply power to more devices beyond just the two access points if needed.

A PoE switch just for two access points is pure waste of money in my opinion. Especially since Ubiquiti uses a rather unusual standard.

400€ for a network outlet is a new low in my book. That’s bordering on extortion.

But don’t expect electricians to be lining up to pull a few network cables through empty conduits for you either...