Setting up hardwired LAN 20 outlets, No wifi

[bjr]

What I'm doing without a lot of technical guidance is trying setup a my (two level with separate entrances to each level) home as a duplex. Upstairs separate from downstairs, one network with maybe 20 outlets. This home will have 7 bedrooms (4 upstairs and 3 downstairs) each level has two living rooms, each level has a kitchen. I've ran the cat 5 and rj6 cable (for smart TV's or computers) to all the rooms. I'm wanting to put the server computer and related router/switch in the stair well so it can be rebooted or serviced without having to go into either living spaces. The stairwell in unheated and can be a little dusty at times. What kind of computer and operating system should I use for the server? I already have a older extra AMD Desktop with XP operating sysem would that be a good computer to stick out in the stairwell for a server? Do I need to go out and buy a seperate windows 10 operating system to go on the old machine? Or buy a new machine with W-10 installed? I've put in a lot of effort in cable routing here I just need to get few details worked out. bjr

 

[KennyG]

I'm sure others have some experience here, but why do you need a server? Your routers and switches will make the external internet connection available to all the ports. At that point, every computer will be internet connected. If you need storage, just add a NAS (Network Attached Storage) box at any one of the network ports. Unless you are sharing applications over the network (which seems unlikely unless this is a business) I can't see what a server adds.

You will need to plan for Wi-Fi also since everyones phone and tablets, etc as well as most DVD players etc. now use WiFi. You need to think about whether you will be using separate WiFi hubs or extenders.

 

[Coyote machine]

R u trying to have two separate apartments running off one hallway hardwired 'server' with no wi-fi from either?!
Win XP?
Are you providing tennants with internet service via your ISP?
What exactly are you trying to do- purpose of running all these ports?

 

[Trials]

As suggested already by others, from what you describe you don't need a server you need a switch or a hub. Probably not a very sophisticated system either, unless you plane to run computers off of all the drops simultaneously. Sounds like all you really need is a half dozen live connections and the rest is just hardwired into a data closet or location, in the event you need to liven up one room or another.

btw: In theory your cat 5 will only accommodate 10/100 mbps which is pretty much an obsolete performance standard already. If you are going with that, you might as well shop around for used hubs, routers or switches, the place I used to work for trashed all that equipment years ago, it should be available at extremely low prices somewhere. These are network smart devices, they don't require a server to operate, but if you really want to run a server, then you will be looking for a switch, plus you will want all your network cards to be capable of 100 mbps.

Absolute simplest way to make it all work is to buy a wireless hub that has several hardwire connections on the back of the device. Hardwire your old desktops into that and you already have wireless available for the wireless capable devices. Wireless will vastly outperform the hardwired systems you are planning to run off cat5 cable.

 

[Agvg]

What's the purpose of the server? Manage bandwidth? Firewall? Software router?

 

[LD1]

Why no wifi?

 

[aczlan]

As suggested already by others, from what you describe you don't need a server you need a switch or a hub. Probably not a very sophisticated system either, unless you plane to run computers off of all the drops simultaneously. Sounds like all you really need is a half dozen live connections and the rest is just hardwired into a data closet or location, in the event you need to liven up one room or another.

btw: In theory your cat 5 will only accommodate 10/100 mbps which is pretty much an obsolete performance standard already. If you are going with that, you might as well shop around for used hubs, routers or switches, the place I used to work for trashed all that equipment years ago, it should be available at extremely low prices somewhere. These are network smart devices, they don't require a server to operate, but if you really want to run a server, then you will be looking for a switch, plus you will want all your network cards to be capable of 100 mbps.

Absolute simplest way to make it all work is to buy a wireless hub that has several hardwire connections on the back of the device. Hardwire your old desktops into that and you already have wireless available for the wireless capable devices. Wireless will vastly outperform the hardwired systems you are planning to run off cat5 cable.

If the OP used CAT5e, gigabit is very possible.
For switches, if you only need 100mbps, a brand new 24 port basic Netgear switch with a lifetime warranty is $64 on Amazon: Amazon.com: NETGEAR ProSAFE JFS524 24-Port Fast Ethernet Rackmount Switch (JFS524-200NAS): Computers & Accessories
If you want gigabit, a 24 port "Smart" (managed) Netgear switch with a lifetime warranty is $160 on Amazon: Amazon.com: NETGEAR ProSAFE JGS524E 24-Port Gigabit Rackmount Web Managed (Plus) Switch (JGS524Ev2): Computers & Accessories
If you only need some of the plugs "Live" you might be able to use a 16 port switch which would run $50-127 ("Basic vs Smart").

Aaron Z

 

[Trials]

If the OP used CAT5e, gigabit is very possible.
...

correct but he said "I've ran the cat 5"

 

[aczlan]

correct but he said "I've ran the cat 5"

True, you have to look to find CAT5 rather than CAT5e these days though, so I assumed that he left the e off of the end (like many of the guys at work do).

Aaron Z

 

[techman]

All wou need is a router and a couple of 10 port switches.

Paul

 

[/pine]

Curious why you want to port everything through a server? just a modem>router>multi-port switch will provide Internet/ Ethernet service...
Use the router as your server...the administrator has full control over (DHCP) assigned IP address etc., etc...

 

[KiotiKowboy]

All wou need is a router and a couple of 10 port switches.

Paul

Exactly ...

As for Cat 5, keeping the runs a little shorter will help with your performance expectations. It helps to centralize your data closet(s).

 

[kcflhrc]

The biggest problem with speeds and other issues is most DIY folks have no idea how to terminate Cat 5 or 5E properly. Also don't put your routers/switches anyplace you wouldn't put say a TV or any other electronic device. And don't use Hubs, always use a switch to manage bandwidth properly.

 

[bjr]

Okay, great input. I stated in the beginnig that I didn't really have a lot technical experience on my own, I do have some input from the network maintenance guys in our office at work. So, you guys are correct that I really don't need or want a server, just switches. This will be family only, younger adult grandchildren, no commercial renting. Yes, CAT 5e cable, it was given to me (several thousand feet). I'm on a Microwave service ($25 a month) 1-5 or 1-3 Mbs I don't remember numbers, the grandkids can watch Netflix movies and I can watch Youtube videos at the same time is all I know about the bandwidth. There will be a printer on each floor level so will this system remember or know where the printesr are? I have a old HP 1012 laserjet that may have to have some kind of funky driver made for windows Vista to work on Windows 10 , so will each computer have to have that specific printer driver? I was concerned about printer drivers as much as anything was the reasoning behind the service idea. bjr

 

[KennyG]

You may be able to use your printer by connecting it to one of the computers on the system and allowing sharing of the resources. You can usually install on the host machine and the other PCs will install the correct drivers from the internet. I would guess that there is a current Windows 8/10 driver for that printer. HP is pretty good about updating drivers, especially for the lasers. However, network and wireless connected printers are so cheap now that you will probably want to look at a new one at some point.

 

[k0ua]

On switch selection, since this is a duplex, you may want separate VLANS. You can still have one switch, but even if you don't' want separate VLANS (Virtual Local Area Networks) at first, you may at some point. I would get a managed Gigabit switch. We are still not talking a whole lot of money here. Consider one with some POE capability too. You are going to want WIFI access points at some point in time, and they are going to be better served by a gigabit switch and POE (Power Over Ethernet) makes it easy to place them without thought of a nearby electrical outlet. Just saying, It I was planning, these things would figure into my plans. A lot of networks don't have the benefit of planning, they just started small and "morphed" into a mish-mosh of crap all put together. But if you are going to have the luxury of a plan, well do it right. Put in a little wall rack, punch down your CAT 6 cables on a good CAT6 patch panel, and have room in the rack for Switches, Routers, and NAS. (Network Attached Storage) Sure it is all a little more upfront, but you will have a first class network, that will serve for many years, and is easy to trouble shoot.. Just the humble opinion of a hillbilly, off down here in the hills..

 

[/pine]

Something like these distribution panels will help making up all the connections at the drop location...

Patch Panels

 

[dmccarty]

When we designed and built the house, we had Cat 5, phone service and Coax run to multiple wall plates in each room from a central panel. The only cable that is getting used right now is the Coax for the over the air channels. Everything else is wireless. We have two house phones connected to the phone system but those are really for emergency use only. We use our cell phones for all calls.

I would certainly go ahead and run the cable but not sure you will ever use it. Since you are only getting 1-5 MBs down from the service provider, having 100GB+ service in the house is not real useful unless you will be playing games between systems that are IN the house, doing large and frequent data moves, streaming your own video, etc. We only get 1.5 MB down and while we have a fast house network, both wired and wireless, the fast house network is bottle necked by the Internet service.

Later,
Dan

 

[bjr]

I've tried wifi twice now over the last eight years and have been bitterly disappointed with dropped connections and have spent waayy too much time rebooting and trouble shooting the connections, too frustrating. I like things that work. With the wired network I get a solid stable connection and the kids can watch what they want and I can watch what I want. I do a lot of history searching and enjoy "Google-ing". I feel like the whole world went wireless, well most homes anyways, I've just not had a good experience with the wireless. The office I work in goes to great lengths to stay wired. I've been told they feel like they have "some" security with the wired system. I got the 2" hole punch thru 6" thick concrete wall into the basement stairwell, it was a lot of work, but worth it. Well back to go clean up the mess now. bjr

 

[cpufixerjr]

Okay, great input. I stated in the beginnig that I didn't really have a lot technical experience on my own, I do have some input from the network maintenance guys in our office at work. So, you guys are correct that I really don't need or want a server, just switches. This will be family only, younger adult grandchildren, no commercial renting. Yes, CAT 5e cable, it was given to me (several thousand feet). I'm on a Microwave service ($25 a month) 1-5 or 1-3 Mbs I don't remember numbers, the grandkids can watch Netflix movies and I can watch Youtube videos at the same time is all I know about the bandwidth. There will be a printer on each floor level so will this system remember or know where the printesr are? I have a old HP 1012 laserjet that may have to have some kind of funky driver made for windows Vista to work on Windows 10 , so will each computer have to have that specific printer driver? I was concerned about printer drivers as much as anything was the reasoning behind the service idea. bjr

Per netflix, for a standard def movie you need 3mb, for HD you need 5mb. I was on a microwave solution with similar speeds for two years, we would often get buffering notices.

Like many have said, a hub/switch to a router then on to the modem should get you going good. What made me want to chime in is possible liabilities, what if they get a virus on the network or go to illegal websites.

As for wifi, it has come a long way but in the networking world it is still more art than science. I have had people move into older houses with plaster/lathe walls and the signal was horrible anywhere they went. I would say get a wireless router for under the staircase that way it is there if someone is close. My phone requires wifi for updates so at least then you know to go sit on the stairs if you do need to use it.