Choosing network infrastructure hardware

(Related to an earlier post in this forum)
I'm sourcing the cabling, patch panel, cabinet and faceplates etc and after some research and from previous feedback from forum members (thanks guys) am looking at the following:
Patch panel
4U Wall cabinet/bracket
Cat5e solid core cable 305m
Back boxes
Single-gang face plate (to take two RJ45 modules)
RJ45 module (two in each faceplate)

I have the necessary cutting, crimping and test tools.

Any comments or incompatibilities with the stuff I've chosen? I'm wondering if I should get deeper backboxes (i.e. 37mm)? Are the 32mm boxes enough to easily accomodate the above RJ45 modules and cabling?

Thanks for all your help so far.

Looks ok, never needed to use back boxes deeper than 25mm but I don't use that type of faceplate.

In reply to a post by Rockh:

Looks ok, never needed to use back boxes deeper than 25mm but I don't use that type of faceplate.

Thanks, I was thinking that I'd give myself more depth so as to fit a longer extra length of cables behind the face plate.

Just realised that I don't want surface-mounted back boxes, just had a word with my sparkie who can supply the proper metal backboxes (as set into the wall) with 35mm depth.

Will the RJ45 Modules (at 33mm depth) fit in the back boxes?

Wall cabinet ... Are you putting a switch in there too? If so, is it deep enough?

In reply to a post by MHC:

Wall cabinet ... Are you putting a switch in there too? If so, is it deep enough?

It's 20cm deep so hopefully it will be, but at the moment I have a small netgear 5 port switch which doesn't rack mount which I'll be freestanding in the cabinet, that's why I've ordered a 4U cabinet for a 1U patch panel.

I was thinking that eventually you would move to a 24 port - which are full19" rack mount but 400 deep ...

A lot of what I would have said is covered, so sorry for repetition,

Use recessed back boxes if you can - and ones of a depth that give you space to get the modules in place, and cram some cable in too! Do some checking on the spec sheets and work out the clearance needed.

If you want an easy retrofit into a plasterboard wall, these are good,

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/83270/Electrical-Suppl...

The boxes you use depends on your wall construction.

Don't buy one big reel of cable - buy two or more small ones. Then you can pull multiple runs of cable in one go, instead of threading cable twice to each location at least. Halves your labour at a stroke.

The cabinet may be small if you want to rackmount a switch later, as MHC says.

In reply to a post by shtu:

Don't buy one big reel of cable - buy two or more small ones. Then you can pull multiple runs of cable in one go, instead of threading cable twice to each location at least. Halves your labour at a stroke.

Or pull a large amount off the drum into a coil to give you a second source.

Buying a 100m reel of Cat5e can be almost as expensive as a 305m drum! I recently spoke to someone who had paid £36 for 100m when a 305m can be obtained for £45 - £50.

If you plan to do that, scrounge an empty cable reel from an electrician and wind it from one to the other, you'll end up in a terrible tangle otherwise!

I see what you mean on price, about £25+ for a 100m reel, theiving gyppos.

In reply to a post by shtu:

Do some checking on the spec sheets and work out the clearance needed.

My electrician can supply 35mm metal back boxes to allow more cable slack and I believe the RJ45 modules are 32.85mm deep (according to the spec) but they will sit somewhat proud of the faceplate and so might only protrude about 25-28mm into the backbox so hopefully the modules aren't too deep for the faceplate/box combo.

The salesperson at Comms Express assured me that the faceplates and modules would fit into a 32mm surface-mounted back box, but then they would say that

BTW, I found this very useful guide on cat5 wiring which I'll be referring to throughout the wiring project.

Thanks to everyone for their advice and feedback so far, I'll let you know when the network is up and running and will hopefully be contributing more to this forum in future.

If you can, recessed mounting is MUCH tidier so go for that.

Idea - take photos and write up as you go (dare I mention "blog"?), there are lots of people who would benefit from seeing how this is done, and maybe help explode some of the myths around doing this.

A good electrician will ensure the backbox is 2 or 3 mm below the finished plaster too so you will have some spare.

He may well use an Armeg box cutter - drill an 8 mm pilot hole, then place a 74mm square chisel with centre pin on the wall. Set drill to hammer and 60 seconds later, a perfect square hole for the box to sit in. They are £150 a set but the time saving is massive!

Just dragging thi sup from the dead, there's an offer on just now with the Netgear switches mentioned earlier,

http://www.netgear.co.uk/freefocmodule

Saves a few quid even if you have no immediate use for it. Should also mean a glut of cheap modules on t'bay.

Edit -

damn, wrong thread, meant it to be thi sone,

http://forums.thinkbroadband.com/multiuser/f/3915896...

Edited by deleted (Tue 02-Nov-10 15:02:25)