ᐅ Cabling for access points: choosing the correct network cable

Created on: 24 May 2021 21:46
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Maria88
Hello everyone,

Last week, I went through our terraced house with the electrician and shared all my requests, including where the access points should be installed in the future.

I was thinking of using Unify Nano devices, and it is important to me that the power is supplied via the network cable at the ceiling.

Now I am wondering if I should have a special cable installed, or if it doesn’t matter for the power supply as long as it is a network cable.

Thank you very much in advance.
i_b_n_a_n24 May 2021 23:35
Maria88 schrieb:

... The plan is to have one access point per floor. (Each covering about 45cm2 (484 square feet)) Additionally, the home office has a regular network connection.
Please at least provide a double outlet (2x LAN) here, preferably two (for PC, printer, and as a reserve for additional network-capable devices). One LAN connection is really too few. Even for cost reasons, it's hardly justifiable; it could definitely be better.
It’s also advisable to have LAN connections at other relevant locations. Do you have an electrical plan you could upload?
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Maria88
24 May 2021 23:44
i_b_n_a_n schrieb:

Please provide at least one double socket (2x LAN), ideally two of them (for PC, printer, plus a spare for additional network-enabled devices). Having only one LAN socket is really not enough. Even from a cost perspective, it’s hardly justifiable—something nicer, of course, but that’s another matter 😉
It’s also better to have LAN connections in other relevant places. Do you have an electrical plan you could upload?

Unfortunately, I don’t have an electrical plan yet; the project is being handled by the developer.

Dumb question...

Why do I need so many LAN sockets if I have access points? Aren’t these supposed to cover exactly that gap? I actually wanted as few network sockets as possible, which is why I chose access points.
Tarnari25 May 2021 01:45
Because wired connections are always more reliable than wireless, and you might not be able to predict where each device will be located in the future. Use wireless only for mobile devices whenever possible; all other connections should be wired.
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hampshire
25 May 2021 07:31
You might as well install fiber optic cables right from the start – a clear additional cost but a future-proof foundation.
i_b_n_a_n25 May 2021 08:23
hampshire schrieb:

You might as well install fiber optic cable—clear additional cost, but a future-proof foundation.
We are talking about a single-family house here. Sure, as a tech enthusiast (and I am one), you could install fiber optic cable. But for the original poster, it still doesn’t really make sense 😉
They should rather focus on seeing access points not as a replacement but as a complement to the LAN. Besides, copper wiring is still necessary anyway, unless I missed recent developments in "POE over fiber optic"?
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Mitleser123
25 May 2021 08:27
I would recommend installing LAN outlets wherever there is potentially going to be a computer/laptop or a TV. I’m not a tech expert, but I have LAN outlets in the office, living room, bedroom, and both children's rooms. Additionally, there is an access point planned on each floor. I think this setup should be sufficient for an average user.