Best Cat 6 Cable and how to split

[Deano3]

My idea was that I needed a cable to the loft to feed tye nvr, would make sense being there and can then feed out the soffit to poe cameras from the nvr.

I don't think I would require anything like you have there plan on having a face plate in each bedroom with 1 or max 2 cables to it. So only need cable to loft from router to feed a switch then cables from switch down into 3 bedrooms.

1 cable up
3-6 cables down

could i run only 1 cable down and split again at bedroom Socked if needed ? Or just run 2 to each room. WiFi seems fine currently for son using xbox etc but will be good for his tv to plug in and PC.

Loft seemed easiest so not cables all over and don't really want in bedroom, surely if I use a proper box to store the electric switch and the nvr etc should be OK, it's a boarded loft so not to windy etc.

Thanks dean

 

[flameport]

could i run only 1 cable down and split again at bedroom

Ethernet cables cannot be split.
As before - it's one cable from the switch to one outlet.
More outlets = more cables required. Cable is cheap.

surely if I use a proper box to store the electric switch and the nvr etc should be OK,

Lofts have extremes of temperature from well below freezing to higher than any person could live in, massive swings in humidity, and are generally filthy.
All of which are ideal for destroying electronic devices.

WiFi seems fine currently for son using xbox etc

A gaming console is exactly the item which would be far better connected via a cable, for the lowest latency and most reliable connection.

Wifi has significant limitations, and while it can work for many devices a lot of the time, it's subject to interference from other items both in your house and in nearby ones. It should only be used for devices which actually need it, such as phones and tablets.
Fixed items should be connected with a cable.

 

[Why Not Indeed]

All of which are ideal for destroying electronic devices.

Had my server, router and switch in the loft for 5+ years. No problems. Yes, lofts have the biggest swings in temperature than any other part of a dwelling. But it's fine. Mine is there for the same reason as the OPs - cameras and an AP in the soffits. Everything else flowed from there. Perhaps there is a better location for the OP.

 

[Deano3]

It just seems to make sense to go in the loft for me, out the way and means I only need to run one cable upto loft then rest of cables down into rooms so think will have to go In there, I will start looking for cable plus a switch and a storage cupboard.

Not sure what managed or unmanaged means when relating to the switches. Anything I should be looking for with these for fast speeds etc and exact names.

Also when I mentioned splitting I meant using some type of splitter that plugs in the socket and has 2 on other side. Sort of like a mini switch.

Thanks dean

 

[Sureitsoff?]

You can use " mini switches" ie

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8495459?clickPR=plp:1:1

to split one socket but if you are doing this as part of a rewire why not do it right from the start. As I said earlier I have six sockets in the lounge in groups of three and five are in use currently, three in a bedroom two in another etc, much better than relying on wi-fi and some of my devices don't support wi-fi anyway.

 

[JohnW2]

Also when I mentioned splitting I meant using some type of splitter that plugs in the socket and has 2 on other side. Sort of like a mini switch.

Yes, it's potentially a bit confusing. Whilst one cannot literally 'split' these cables simply by including a 'T' (or 'Y'!) junction in the cable itself, the 'Switches' that everyone is talking about do, in functional terms, actually do that 'splitting'.

 

[flameport]

Not sure what managed or unmanaged means when relating to the switches

You need an unmanaged switch.

Managed switches have features which you don't need and will never use.

 

[FrodoOne]

Not sure what managed or unmanaged means when relating to the switches.

See https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/what-is-a-managed-switch.html#:~:text=Managed switches provide security settings,do not offer security capabilities.

For a home LAN (Local Area Network) all you need is an Unmanaged Switch.

Also when I mentioned splitting I meant using some type of splitter that plugs in the socket and has 2 on other side. Sort of like a mini switch.

All "Switches" require a power supply, come at a cost
and
take up space.

It is likely to be far cheaper (and more convenient) to use a "larger" central switch than several (many ?) smaller ones,
because the extra length of cabling is likely to be cheaper than the extra switches.

 

[RandomGrinch]

Whilst one cannot literally 'split' these cables simply by including a 'T' (or 'Y'!) junction in the cable itself

Theoretically, you can split off two pairs from the cable (per connection), if you're happy with a maximum speed of around 100Mbps
Edit: just to add; a 'T' junction would be required at both ends of the cable, and I'm really not recommending doing this!

 

[JohnW2]

Theoretically, you can split off two pairs from the cable (per connection), if you're happy with a maximum speed of around 100Mbps
Edit: just to add; a 'T' junction would be required at both ends of the cable, and I'm really not recommending doing this!

That's all true, but I doubt that a sensible person would take such an approach and, like you, I certainly wouldn't recommend it. In any event, although one could separate the pairs, it would still remain the case that one couldn't have 'T junctions' in any of the conductors, wouldn't it?

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnW2]

.... It is likely to be far cheaper (and more convenient) to use a "lager" central switch ...

Do Fosters make them, perhaps ?

 

[Sureitsoff?]

Do Fosters make them, perhaps ?

if carlsberg made them though would they be the best switches in the world

 

[JohnW2]

if carlsberg made them though would they be the best switches in the world

They might be, but then they wouldn't be Australian

 

[Deano3]

Thanks everyone, will look at tp link or negear unmanaged switches.

1 cable from router - switch - switch - 2 cables to each bedroom

That's the plan so 6 from the switch and one for nvr so 7 eventually.

Thanks so much for all your help really appreciated. Will look for cable and switch now.any recomendations welcome.

Dean

 

[Sureitsoff?]

i bought my switch a 24 way one from e-bay for about £20 so you dont need to buy new but dont scrimp on the cable as you are doing this as a rewire then getting it right first time is better than having to change it later.
I did notice the screwfix dont even mention what the cat cable they sell is made of!