In reply to a post by MHC:

Terminate all of the cables on a 24 port patch panel next to where you want the switch - do not try to crimp connectors onto the cables - it will fail and a decent crimp tool is not cheap. Then use flexible patch leads from the patch panel to switch and from socket outlets to devices

A patch panel does provide much more flexibility and means that your solid core cable stays put rather than it's ends being moved about (shortening the life of the connection) when plugged into the switch and/or router.

Appreciate the pointers.
Good point about the switch. I would currently need 9 connections if I move the router out of the overly hot cupboard it is in with the modem at the moment. It's an atom based PC so have been wanting to move it to a cooler location.

I could use the Cisco 5 port I have at the moment with an extra 8 port.
The Misco prices that MHC linked to seem very good. The 8 port is around a third of the 16 port switch so a big saving there.

I guess I will lose a port from each switch having to patch them together but should still be enough for now.

Don't know if the 16 port switches are more robust in any way but 2 of the 8 port switches would still be £50 less!


Funny about the GS605. Maybe mine was faulty or didn't play well with my MB lan. It seemed OK with the NAS connection.
The Cisco has been rock solid so far.

In reply to a post by MHC:

Linksys are now Cisco Small Business and there is a good range: http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/factfinder/searc...

There is the SG100-16 or SR102-24 - think how many you need now, if it is close to 16 then 24 maybe the solution. Think what you might want to add, TV, DVD, PVR, alarm, camera, &c You can cascade later on, but have some spare at the start.

Their support is also very good - if you need it.

This Zyxel switch looks good.

In reply to a post by joconnell:

This Zyxel switch looks good.

Have not used their switches, but their original ISDN interfaces were very good.

I agree about the practice - even I do a few dummy runs when I have not done any for a while.

Also gmoorc, can I suggest you buy a reasonable quality set of wire cutters - they will be extremely useful in getting wire to just a bit longer than needed prior to termination - I have seen people using a pair of 10" pliers and a bit of a mess. And do not untwist the pairs more than you need, you should get away with less than 12mm.

In reply to a post by MHC:

And do not untwist the pairs more than you need, you should get away with less than 12mm.

My patch panel punch-down terminals are about 30mm long which necessitates cutting back the cable's insulation by that much, so I have 4 twisted pairs of exposed wires, untwisted as little as possible before termination. Is that okay? Does it matter how much of the twisted pairs are exposed or is it just a question of how much of each pair is untwisted?

In reply to a post by MHC:

305m for all of the internal will, I would think be more than adequate, it will just be the external that you need to buy extra.

If I do multiple runs to each point I'm going to need a fair bit of external cable, probably over 100m.
Any reason I shouldn't buy 305m of external cable to use throughout? Price obviously but will it be harder to work with?

Think I will need around 230m overall.

In reply to a post by joconnell:

In reply to a post by MHC:

And do not untwist the pairs more than you need, you should get away with less than 12mm.

My patch panel punch-down terminals are about 30mm long which necessitates cutting back the cable's insulation by that much, so I have 4 twisted pairs of exposed wires, untwisted as little as possible before termination. Is that okay? Does it matter how much of the twisted pairs are exposed or is it just a question of how much of each pair is untwisted?

Just the amount untwisted

In reply to a post by MHC:

Also gmoorc, can I suggest you buy a reasonable quality set of wire cutters - they will be extremely useful in getting wire to just a bit longer than needed prior to termination

Axminster tools do a great range of cheap, quality wire cutters - I bought a set (might've been this or this) which included the blue cutter in the linkie along with some small pliers and a wire stripper (for electrical jobs). One thing I do recommend from my own experience is to NOT use the built-in wire cutter that comes with many IDC punchdown tools, just punch-down the cable and clip the excess with separate wire cutters.

For stripping the cable sheath, I used a wee device called a Cyclops (I think) which cost me less than a fiver and works very well.

http://www.fscables.com/Data/Structured+Wiring/Cat-5...

C5EB - internal and is 5.5mm diameter and 36kg/km with a PVC outer.

C5EC - Weatherproof and 5.6mm diameter and 40kg/km with Polythylene outer

It will be very slightly harder to work with, but not much - slightly stiffer possibly. No reason why it cannot be used indoors - but check the costs - give different suppliers a call and get the best prices