[SOLVED] Sending hardwired internet to other rooms.

[CalScot]

I'm fairly technical but not a network expert.
I have internet service via Cox communications.
This is the modem/router they provide.
https://www.cox.com/residential/support/technicolor-cgm4141.html

WiFi is not too bad but I want to hardwire where possible.

If I stick this in a central cupboard, with the data cable from the street going into it, and from there I run 5 x Cat 6 to 5 rooms, what other box/es do I need to buy?
Do I go from the single ethernet into a switch in the same cupboard? And then output from the switch to the rooms?
Does the switch provide locals IP addresses or what? I'm not sure how it works or if i'm even using the correct terminology.
And then in each room add another switch appropriate for the number of hardwired devices? TV's, laptops, PC's, receivers.
(The router has two ethernet outputs but I don't know if that matters.)

Thanks in advance for feedback.

 

[kanewolf]

I'm fairly technical but not a network expert.
I have internet service via Cox communications.
This is the modem/router they provide.
https://www.cox.com/residential/support/technicolor-cgm4141.html

WiFi is not too bad but I want to hardwire where possible.

If I stick this in a central cupboard, with the data cable from the street going into it, and from there I run 5 x Cat 6 to 5 rooms, what other box/es do I need to buy?
Do I go from the single ethernet into a switch in the same cupboard? And then output from the switch to the rooms?
Does the switch provide locals IP addresses or what? I'm not sure how it works or if i'm even using the correct terminology.
And then in each room add another switch appropriate for the number of hardwired devices? TV's, laptops, PC's, receivers.
(The router has two ethernet outputs but I don't know if that matters.)

Thanks in advance for feedback.

You need an ethernet switch. I would recommend an 8 port. You need 5 out and 1 in. So six port minimum. 8 port is a common size. Something like a GS108 from Netgear.

 

[Grobe]

Does the switch provide locals IP addresses or what?

They usually does. It's called DHCP - the router then act like a DHCP server.

 

[kanewolf]

They usually does. It's called DHCP - the router then act like a DHCP server.

The router hosts the DHCP server, not the switch.

 

[gggplaya]

I would recommend you buy a patch panel with punchdown connectors. It's the easiest to install, you can buy wall mount or rack mount.

1. Wall mount patch panel: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WMTSS91 or Rack Mount: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IXVQL10
2. Punch Down tool: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0072K1QHM
3. Cable Jacket Stripper: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FI2RVC Don't use the tool to pull of the end which puts side stress on the cutting blade, just use it to cut, then pull the end off with your fingers.

Once you've properly terminated the cables, then install a switch like others have said and connect the switch to your router as well as the populated ports of the patch panel.

 

[kanewolf]

I would recommend you buy a patch panel with punchdown connectors. It's the easiest to install, you can buy wall mount or rack mount.

1. Wall mount patch panel: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WMTSS91 or Rack Mount: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IXVQL10
2. Punch Down tool: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0072K1QHM
3. Cable Jacket Stripper: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Z9H5H1K

Without pictures of the existing cabling, adding a patch panel is a bit overkill, IMO. If there is sufficient cable length to support a direct connection to a small switch, that is the simpler implementation.

 

[CalScot]

Thanks everone. It's only 5 cables so I'm partial to router>switch>5 rooms then if necessary use a small switch in each room for local room based devices. (Can switches be 'stacked' in this manner?)
Would the router handle all the DHCP stuff for that configuration

 

[gggplaya]

Thanks everone. It's only 5 cables so I'm partial to router>switch>5 rooms then if necessary use a small switch in each room for local room based devices. (Can switches be 'stacked' in this manner?)
Would the router handle all the DHCP stuff for that configuration

Absolutely, but you will be bottlenecked by that one gigabit lan cable leading back to the main switch. If each device only needs to access internet, then this shouldn't be a problem assuming you have gigabit or lower internet plan.

 

[CalScot]

but you will be bottlenecked by that one gigabit lan cable leading back to the main switch.

Do you mean the single cable from the router to the switch?
Is there any way around the bottleneck?
I'm not sure if it will impact me...none of the potential devices will be on all at the same time.
I'm paying for a 500mbs service but you know what that can mean...
Appreciated.

 

[bill001g]

Lets say you had a machine in each room. They transfer huge files between each other and use the full 1gbit. Any other device hooked to the switch would then have issues using the internet.

If you do not have large amounts of communication between machines then the the bottle neck it the internet.

If a single machine was to use all 500mbps of internet there still would be 500mbps to talk to other machines inside your house so the gigabit cable is not the limiting factor.

It all depends on the traffic. Sometime people have things like NAS to do backups to and that uses a lot of bandwidth inside the house.

In the end it there is no cheap solution if a gigabit cable is the bottleneck. You can get equipment that can run faster on some ethernet cables.

I suspect because you do not seem to mention machine to machine traffic you do not have a need. For most people they can't even really fully use a 500mbps internet other than when they say download some big game.

 

[gggplaya]

I think you'll be fine in your case. Your internet is the slowest link.

 

[CalScot]

I think I'll be ok.
Thanks everyone...you've added to my body of knowledge!