Ethernet my Home

Okay I am new to all this so please bear with me. I will try to explain in details as much as i can.

It appears that I have an old master socket (small white box) with one line coming out. This leads to a socket in the kitchen that all extensions are run from. It does not have a test socket.

What I would like to is firstly get my small white box changed for a newer master socket - does anyone know who can do this - does it have to be BT or can I do it? If Bt has to do it how much am i looking at?

Now once i have my phone sockets sorted how do i go about wiring up the house for Ethernet? I am on Sky so have one of their routers that only seem to allow 2 ethernet cables!

Do i need an ethernet cable running from the router for each socket e.g. 6 sockets required do I need 6 ethernet ports on router?

How easy is it to wire up a house to use Ethernet?

I look forward to the replies and thanks in advance.

It is easy to wire up - the hardest part is hiding the cables.

Get a small 8 port switch or hub - plenty around, and a small 8 port patch panel. Locate these out of the way where they will not be seen. Run Cat5e cable from patch panel to each outlet you require and an extra one by the Sky router - use a Krone type tool to make each connection at the outlets and patch panel.

Using short patch leads connect the panel sockets to the switch/hub making sure (in most cases) that the one linked to the Sky Router is connected to port 1 of the switch.

Once the cables are laid and outlet boxes fixed to the wall it will take an hour or less to make all the connections and get it running.

Homeplugs are your easiest solution.

Depends what the OP wants to do with the network.

Homeplugs are very good for connecting one remote PC to a router, but the performance falls off noticably if connecting 6 PCs (and falls off even more dramatically, if one of the PCs is also used as a file server, whilst some use the Internet.

If the switch is basically out of sight (like under the stairs), the the Cat5e cables from each room can just be plugged straight into the switch. (and plugged into the computer at the other end).

Not as neat, perhaps, but much easier to do.

That does mean you have to terminate the Cat5 cables with proper crimped connectors though - whereas a patch panel is potentially easier using just a krone/IDC punch tool.

I went for the easy option and just bought Cat5e cables with RJ45 plugs on each end.

"Simples"

Exactly - easier and cheaper as well as that standard infrastructure Cat5e is not ideal for use in RJ45s - failure rate can be quite high. Time to make a good RJ45 is about 4 times that for a good krone punch down.

Anybody any idea on the cost for sorting out the old master socket?

Yeah you should try fitting RJ45's sat on the floor in a dark OB truck. Thankfully modern ones have patch panels linking all the desks to a panel on rear gate, so getting easier.