[NTLUG:Discuss] LAN Planning

[Aaron Goldblatt]

> Well, now is probably the worst time for you to find this out, 
> but it's best to start running cable within your walls before 
> the drywall is up (but after the frame is complete).

I didn't have that option.  The house wasn't built to my spec; if it 
were it would have cost a ton more to have the builder do this than 
for me to do it myself.  More trouble, I know, but they want like 
$175 a jack to run cat5 in the drywall for you.

> Good; hubs, switches, modems, routers, and most servers need to 
> be centralized somewhere.  In a mid-sized home, an equipment 
> closet is usually used for this purpose.

It'll actually be bedroom #4, which is going to be the nerd's office. :)

> 3) Cables running within common walls must be run within 
> insulating conduits.  Failure to do so is a code violation.

What's the theory behind this?  Fire in the wire leaking smoke into 
both rooms?

> 4) You must use riser cabling when running between floors.

I don't know what you mean "between floors."  It's a single-story 
house, and the foundation is slab.  No running under the floor here.

> Two ports in each room is generally more than enough for a home 
> setup.  The central area (the equipment closet/room) will need a 
> lot more ports, simply because this will be where all electronic 
> roads lead. ;)

I'm thinking something along the lines of 2 ports in each wall for my 
office.  =)

> A proxy is not always necessary; a router usually is, however.

The reason I've indicated a proxy is the 100BaseT requirement 
because of my non-step-down hub.  Anything coming in on 
standard xDSL or ISDN equipment is going to be 10BaseT only, 
and won't link to my hub.  Thus I either need a 10-to-100 swtich, 
like one of those single port jobs, or I need a proxy.  Otherwise my 
router won't be able to connect to my LAN.

> Greybar Electric, Grainger, and Home Depot all provide pretty 
> reasonably-priced cable (though I don't know if Home Depot will 
> provide plenum-rated); I've taken to getting bulk cable cut off 
> the spool in specified lengths.

I suppose I'm looking at a couple hundred dollars if I max out at 
2400m of cable?

ag