Home network help.

[KiKaZz74]

The 2nd to last I meant for the living room have a router there as it is the heaviest concentration of WiFi devices most of the time. That would also work as a multi port spot instead of a wall plate for future like a smart TV. Can knock out a few birds at once that way. I'll keep the netgear in the closet in the basement then do an Asus on the other 2 floors. I'll just have to flash them. I have a plan redrawn that I'll post up soon along with the new parts lists

[Kade]

The 2nd to last I meant for the living room have a router there as it is the heaviest concentration of WiFi devices most of the time. That would also work as a multi port spot instead of a wall plate for future like a smart TV. Can knock out a few birds at once that way. I'll keep the netgear in the closet in the basement then do an Asus on the other 2 floors. I'll just have to flash them. I have a plan redrawn that I'll post up soon along with the new parts lists

Let's take the Asus and the Netgear off the table for now.

Since the living room will have the router, it makes sense to place the patch panel and switch at the same location. You can use 6" patch cables to connect the 3 devices together. It'll look nice and tidy.

"That would also work as a multi port spot..."

This is true.

Here's my setup with the router... My router is in the living room. 4 ports. 1 to the switch and 1 to the Roku. I doubted that anything else would be added to living room, but I still had 2 those spare ports for whatever I wanted to do with them. I decided to add 2 extra lines to our dining room/office area. This gave me 3 total lines. 1 for a computer and 2 spares. Rarely do I used those spares. So, if we were to add a device to the living room, I'd just unplug one of those spares from the patch panel and into the new device and it wouldn't really be a big deal losing a line in the office. It's an option if I ever need to use it. If it comes down to all my spares being used, I'd just buy a bit bigger switch.

Don't think you're limited to the living room with those spare ports. It'd be a good idea to run a line for every port on the patch panel you have. Get the dirty work out of the way.

[KiKaZz74]

For the patch panel and the "server/data" closet I'm stuck keeping it in the basement sence that's where all the lines come in. I'd just do the routers on each floor to keep coverage even and to keep all the equipment out of the living room since my mother would kill me. I'll have the netgear as the main in the basement and the Asus as wired AP or range extenders whatever you would call it. There's only one or 2 spots that would need a second run of cable to it but the switch is full as of now I think. I'll have to look at my drawings.

[Kade]

For the patch panel and the "server/data" closet I'm stuck keeping it in the basement sence that's where all the lines come in. I'd just do the routers on each floor to keep coverage even and to keep all the equipment out of the living room since my mother would kill me. I'll have the netgear as the main in the basement and the Asus as wired AP or range extenders whatever you would call it. There's only one or 2 spots that would need a second run of cable to it but the switch is full as of now I think. I'll have to look at my drawings.

You could always relocate the lines your service provider installed, but that's up to you.

It sounds like you're starting to get a visual of how it's all coming together.

I don't think you need 3 routers, much less all 3 putting out Wifi. Then again, you'd need to test your coverage from one router in different parts of the house before you can make a decision on that. If you don't have the routers configured identically on all the bands available, you start getting interference with each other much less with your neighbors Wifi.

No worries though.

You should draw a floor plan for your home. All 3 floors. That would help us a little better to see what you're working with.

Why would your mom kill you? All my gear is in the living room behind the entertainment center.

Edit:

This is the website I order my materials from. They're pretty cheap and are good quality for residential installs. http://www.monoprice.com/Category?c_id=105

[Kade]

Here's my setup. Supposed to be "9 data, 3 phone" at the patch panel. Sorry about that.

[Kade]

[Kade]

We already had holes in the floor from cable TV. So, I opted to used those vs wallplates here. These boxes are commonly called "Surface Mount Boxes". When you're shopping for these, make sure you get the same brand jacks as the boxes. One brands jack might not fit in anothers wallplate or box. Also, these jacks use the 110 style punch down tool.

Just tucked the slack back in the floor.

[Kade]

On to the wall plates. You'll need an MPLS bracket (shown) or a "Low Voltage Bracket" in order to mount your wallplate. Works just like a receptacle/switch cover with a box. The jacks are still 110 style and they snap through the back of the wallplate. Pretty simple.

This is the Dining Room/Office area. Only place I did wallplates because sheetrock is really easy to work with for a remodel.

[Kade]

This is a punch down tool.

All your color codes should be labeled on your patch panel and jacks. If you have any questions about those, please ask us.

[KiKaZz74]

Here's the floor plan to give a better idea.

Here is the plan I originally had and was set on.

And after talking to a friend that did IT and installation for a few years here is what he suggested and would be able to help with.

I am actually leaning towards his plan more as I think of it. It gets ride of connections and is actually almost exactly what I was planning on doing.

What do u guys think of that plan? It is the better of the two and can still be organized easily as far as I can tell. Also gave me room to run a few more lines like I wanted to. The combo router/modem I will have to talk to our ISP to get but it may cost a few bucks more a month to enable WiFi. Can't justify the $150+ to buy my own router and modem.