New Wired Network, make sure I get this right.

[ferris209]

Howdy all,
My Dad's house is being remodeled and I told him to run cat5 from each room to an extra bedroom that he designated to be the main computer room. I am somewhat of a computer, and networking, novice and have more experience with wireless networks than wired. I am seeking feedback on how to best wire this up. He is running twelve cables from various locations in the house to this one room and he want's to network all of the following to share files and a printer and his DSL internet access:
1. Four Desktop Computers in various rooms - all wired (including main computer)
2. Tivo box
3. Xbox 360
4. Printer (possibly attached to main computer)

Plus, he wants wireless access for his three laptops (yes I know he has a TON of computers, but these are spread among 6 family members). He also wants to have a little room for any future expansions such has Dish network internet access, PS3, Wii, etc.

What is the best setup I should go for, please include device recommendations and how they should all be connected.

Thanks

[ktkendall]

You got it right by running cat 5 from a central location to each endpoint. You just put your broadband modem/router and switchbox up there in the extra bedroom where all the wires terminate. You will need to be sure there is a feed for the dsl line or cable also going to the room from the outside wherever telco or cable terminates.

[jamesrpm]

Run the wires to a wall enclosure to keep it neat and organized get a big one for the room to work in, tag locations on wire ends so you don't mix them up , run spares to the phone interface and for the Dsl in case something happens to main run.

Wall enclosure http://www.onqlegrand.com/jahia/Jahia/lang/en/pid/1143

And have a outlet installed in the enclosure there is a spot in the top or bottom for one.

[mikeL]

why not go with cat6, and a gigabit network, especially if he is running wires within the walls

just my 2¢

Mike

[ferris209]

The running of the cables is done, terminaion should be no problem. But what I want this thread focus on is how to best to run the whole setup i.e.

All computers ran into a 16 port switch which allows all connected devices have access to the Internet and file & printing sharing. Then I plug a wireless access point into the switch and, boom, wireless networking.

[ferris209]

Originally Posted by mikeL why not go with cat6, and a gigabit network, especially if he is running wires within the walls just my 2¢ Mike

I would go with Cat6 if it was me, but the Cat5 is all my Dad needs, plus he's cheap when it comes to stuff stuck like this that is stuck in a wall, that he'll never see, he'll really never understand the benefits. He's oldschool and if I wasn't there see, he would try to patch a Cat5 with a power extension cord and say "well, they're all metal, it'll work." I've treid the cat6 route, no luck

[ktkendall]

Originally Posted by ferris209 The running of the cables is done, terminaion should be no problem. But what I want this thread focus on is how to best to run the whole setup i.e. All computers ran into a 16 port switch which allows all connected devices have access to the Internet and file & printing sharing. Then I plug a wireless access point into the switch and, boom, wireless networking.

Cat5 will be fine. I seriously doubt there is a need for gigabit for his home network. Even 100Meg is probably going to be at least 20 times faster than the internet connection, so it will be more than sufficient. Anyways, What you want is a router or if it's DSL then be sure it it going to be one of the DSL modems with built in router, then yes a 16 port switch with a WAP connected to one of the ports will do fine.