New house being built, networking suggestions needed

squirrel

squirrel

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Hi guys,

My family is building a new house and in the process of sorting out all the tech goodies. I am not sure about the requirements, especially for streaming over LAN so thought I'd run it by you guys. I'll probably be using a 10mbps Crystalweb Uncapped line.

  • BEDROOM 1 w/ Asus DSL-N55U Wireless Router for internet. 1 cabled PC + 4 WiFi devices
  • BEDROOM 2 w/ D-Link DIR-850L via cable. 1 cabled PC + 2 WiFi devices
  • BEDROOM 3 w/ D-Link DIR-850L via cable. Macbook, Kodi HTPC (Core 2 Duo, 2GB, HD5450, SSD, 6TB), Xbox 360 + 4 WiFi devices
  • KITCHEN will have a D-Link DAP-1520 range extender connected to one of the bedroom's with WiFi

Questions:

  1. I'd like to get Netflix in bedrooms 1 + 2 b) be able to stream from the Kodi box. Should I get 2 Roku 3's? Will they still transcode?
  2. I've already purchased 1 DIR-850L and the DAP-1520 so far. Any suggestions on the ADSL modem + DIR-850L would be great
  3. Will I be able to do 2 Netflix streams with a 10mbps line?
  4. Is there any particular kind of LAN cable I need to use running to all the rooms?
  5. I might need a 100/1000mbps switch to connect everything up. Any recommendations?
 
If you're at the building stage then I would think far more generically about the installation of lan cabling. If done right the lan cables should outlive 2 or 3 generations of end devices. Also consider what might be needed as the usage of rooms changes, kids grow up, etc.

I would place the cabling for the Wi-Fi APs near the ceiling or even in the ceiling. They give better coverage like that and don't cause clutter.

If you're cabling up the place then don't take a shortcut with the kitchen. Cable that too - and add some points in other living spaces too.

To properly future proof I would install 1 or 2 lan points next to almost every power socket in the house. That may be overkill but start there and work your way back to something reasonable.

Run all the cables back to a central location - perhaps a closet or a spot in the garage. You should allow enough space for a switch, router, UPS, power injectors for PoE devices and a NAS or server too.

Ideally CAT6 everywhere. You can always start with a 100M switch and upgrade later. You'll kick yourself if you have to redo the cabling in 2 years.
 
ambo said:
If you're at the building stage then I would think far more generically about the installation of lan cabling. If done right the lan cables should outlive 2 or 3 generations of end devices. Also consider what might be needed as the usage of rooms changes, kids grow up, etc.

I would place the cabling for the Wi-Fi APs near the ceiling or even in the ceiling. They give better coverage like that and don't cause clutter.

If you're cabling up the place then don't take a shortcut with the kitchen. Cable that too - and add some points in other living spaces too.

To properly future proof I would install 1 or 2 lan points next to almost every power socket in the house. That may be overkill but start there and work your way back to something reasonable.

Run all the cables back to a central location - perhaps a closet or a spot in the garage. You should allow enough space for a switch, router, UPS, power injectors for PoE devices and a NAS or server too.

Ideally CAT6 everywhere. You can always start with a 100M switch and upgrade later. You'll kick yourself if you have to redo the cabling in 2 years.
Click to expand...

What he said and check on D-Link site they may shoot you more solutions.
 
ambo said:
If you're at the building stage then I would think far more generically about the installation of lan cabling. If done right the lan cables should outlive 2 or 3 generations of end devices. Also consider what might be needed as the usage of rooms changes, kids grow up, etc.

I would place the cabling for the Wi-Fi APs near the ceiling or even in the ceiling. They give better coverage like that and don't cause clutter.

If you're cabling up the place then don't take a shortcut with the kitchen. Cable that too - and add some points in other living spaces too.

To properly future proof I would install 1 or 2 lan points next to almost every power socket in the house. That may be overkill but start there and work your way back to something reasonable.

Run all the cables back to a central location - perhaps a closet or a spot in the garage. You should allow enough space for a switch, router, UPS, power injectors for PoE devices and a NAS or server too.

Ideally CAT6 everywhere. You can always start with a 100M switch and upgrade later. You'll kick yourself if you have to redo the cabling in 2 years.
Click to expand...

Thank you for all the advice :) At the moment all the Wi-Fi APs will be connected via a faceplate. I have asked the builder to install a faceplate in every room, going to follow up and check on that though. Also got USB points in every room for charging, woohoo! They will all connect up in 1 room via a gigabit switch. Someone also recommended a patch panel, is that necessary? I've uploaded a basic layout of the house at the moment.

View attachment 246984

An idea of the devices that will be connected:

Bedroom 1 (top left): (not sure what device to use) 2 Android Phones / 2 Android Tablets / *Roku wired possibly

Study / Art Room (right side where they all link up): ADSL LINK + Wireless Router (deciding on devices) / Gigabit switch / Wired Desktop PC / Notebook / Printer

Central open plan dining room / kitchen: (not sure what device to use) Numerous Wifi/tablets / *Roku wired possibly by TV

Bedroom 2 (bottom left): (not sure what device to use) Wired Desktop / 1 Android Tablet / 1 Android Phone / *Roku wired possibly

Floor 1: DIR-850L / Wired Macbook / Wired Desktop PC / Wired HTPC / Wired Xbox 360 / Android Phone / Android Tablet / Nintendo Wii
 
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the patch panel isn't strictly required, but will neaten your installation in your 'telcom cupboard'.. you will terminate all your network cables to the back of the patch panel, and then have fly leads connect the switch to the patch panel.. depending on your level of OCD, you may want to consider it..
 
Cables, cables everywhere!

I would put CAT6 or CAT5e into every room (possibly to multiple places in big rooms) - all converging on a central place.
 
Just had a chat with the electrician. They were going to lay down cat5e cables but I asked him to change it to cat6. I'm going to go without a patch panel because it's just more of a mission and expense :P So the main room (where the printer is) will have a 24 port gigabit switch where everything connects to, as well as the location for the CCTV DVR. The central part of the house will have 4x LAN connections and another 2x2 in the main ground flooor bedrooms and another 2x on the first floor room. This will allow me to connect 1 main device in each room via a cable, and then plug in some kind of wifi router for more ports + wifi.
 
Brolloks said:
I'm getting scared of using the word "future proofing" and "upgradeable" It seems just when you do that "future proof" solution, somebody invents the "new standard" or future.
Click to expand...

Funny you should say that, it seems even CAT7 is around already!

Appears I'll be able to beam myself from the bedroom to the lounge one of these days .. might have to use a higher CAT just to be sure!
 
Don't forget the UPS (Red) plug outlets! I have installed UPS plugs next to each network socket in each room. The UPS plugs connect directly to a 3000VA UPS. This reduces the need for UPS units all over the house. Makes for a neat install. UPS is located with all the network gear in the garage in one central space. Also works great during load shedding.

The attached picture is my home setup showing the patch panel, router setup and the UPS location.2015-08-22 08.43.28.jpg
 

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A 19" wall cabinet is not that expensive.
Here is a 9U cabinet for just over R900.
Mounting is below stairs or some other generally cool place should not be a problem.
 
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