Need help with ethernet wiring in my apartment

[thatguy222]

Hi everyone,

I recently moved into my new apartment and am really confused with how to get the ethernet wall jacks to work. There are 6 wall jacks throughout the apartment, each of these 6 wall jacks has an ethernet port. Right now I just have a combined modem/router plugged into a cable jack but I want to get my ethernet ports working too (right now they don't work).

https://www.dropbox.com/s/d3ytvhzrtcb7f56/IMG_0574.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ys4edo77jw3ph16/IMG_0583.JPG?dl=0

I found the network box in my apartment and it looks like I have an 8 port cat5e module with 8 empty ethernet ports. However, I'm a noob and don't know what to do with this. I've been researching for hours and can't figure it out, I have a feeling I might need an 'ethernet switch'? anyway I attached a bunch of pictures of my setup below so please take a look and help me out if you can! I'd really appreciate it, thanks.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/yvggrtd3ovk0mi1/IMG_0575.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/dymetkrhk5cfjn7/IMG_0580.JPG?dl=0

 

[gbb0330]

that 8 port thing on the wall is called patch panel. the numbers on the patch panel should correspond to the numbers on the wall jacks. you can test this witout a switch, but if you want all 8 wall jacks active you will need a switch.

here is how it works, we are going to activate wall jack #1

router -> port # 1 on patch panel. - now your wall jack #1 should be active

with a 5 port switch:

router -> switch (any port) (switch remaining ports) -> patch panel (1,2,3,4) - this will activate wall jacks 1,2,3,4

get a bigger switch if you want more active wall jacks

 

[thatguy222]

that 8 port thing on the wall is called patch panel. the numbers on the patch panel should correspond to the numbers on the wall jacks. you can test this witout a switch, but if you want all 8 wall jacks active you will need a switch.

here is how it works, we are going to activate wall jack #1

router -> port # 1 on patch panel. - now your wall jack #1 should be active

with a 5 port switch:

router -> switch (any port) (switch remaining ports) -> patch panel (1,2,3,4) - this will activate wall jacks 1,2,3,4

get a bigger switch if you want more active wall jacks

so what you're saying is if I run an ethernet cable from my router to one of the 8 ports on the patch panel, then one of the jacks will be activated? my router is in a room that is far away from the cable box, this probably means I'll have to put the router in with the cable box, correct?

 

[gbb0330]

that 8 port thing on the wall is called patch panel. the numbers on the patch panel should correspond to the numbers on the wall jacks. you can test this witout a switch, but if you want all 8 wall jacks active you will need a switch.

here is how it works, we are going to activate wall jack #1

router -> port # 1 on patch panel. - now your wall jack #1 should be active

with a 5 port switch:

router -> switch (any port) (switch remaining ports) -> patch panel (1,2,3,4) - this will activate wall jacks 1,2,3,4

get a bigger switch if you want more active wall jacks

so what you're saying is if I run an ethernet cable from my router to one of the 8 ports on the patch panel, then one of the jacks will be activated? my router is in a room that is far away from the cable box, this probably means I'll have to put the router in with the cable box, correct?

yes and yes, however you can make it work without moving the router but you will definitely need a switch.
like this:
router -> wall jack #5 for example
patch panel port #5 -> switch
switch -> other ports on patch panel

 

[jsmithepa]

Ethernet wiring is actually very simple, don't let that spaguetti intimidate you. This stuff is all over the Internet. As with a traditional library, once you know the precise technical keywords to search for, tons of info out there. I pulled this JPG from the Net and added captions for your benefit, this is as crystal clear as it ever gonna be: