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Home Wiring - On-Q Network Interface vs Switches

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by a former member

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I am remodeling my home. I installed a 9x8 On-Q combo module, giving me a phone jack, a cable TV coax outlet in all six rooms, with some connectors to spare. At the same time, I ran two Cat5 cables in each room. It all looks great and feels better. The phone and TV outlets are all done. The next step is to terminate the Cat5. The wires end at the On-Q cabinet in a storage closet, where I also installed a power outlet.

My initial plan was to terminate the Cat5 to two Network Interface modules (via punchdown). But now, I noticed that any On-Q (or similar) item with the word Network in the description suddenly jumps in price. And I wonder if I really need that. They don't seem to offer an advantage over a typical switch.

Here's what my napkin plans indicate; excuse the beer glass stains. One coax port from the combo module feeds into an internet-compatible signal amplifier which then feeds into a cable modem. The Cat5 cable from the modem connects to the wireless router in the adjoining rec room. The router has 4 built-in wired ports. Port 1 connects to an 8-port fast-ethernet switch that connects the cables in my garage / workshop / computer lab / safe haven. Port 2 connects to an 8-port fast-ethernet switch that connects the upstairs rooms. Port 3 connects to a printer and Port 4 will be used direct and can quickly accommodate another switch when my son's friends congregate on gaming nights.
So, aside from making it all look cool inside the On-Q cabinet, what advantage would I have in punching down on a network interface module over simply crimping RJ45 cable ends and connecting direct to the switches and the router? I have room by the On-Q cabinet to stack the switches.
Any thoughts? Please not too complicated. Seems this subject always conjures up tremendous explanations that nobody including the author can understand.
Hmmm. I was just thinking. Maybe I should have wired the bathroom as well.

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by hal 9000

That little button beside Start a Discussion when you posted this. Also if you expand on what a Q Network actually is it would help as not everyone knows what you have in your custody and a Google search may not revel exactly what you have.

But from the description here

http://tinyurl.com/3ksgnu

This appears to me at least an expensive way to do things. All you should need to do is run the Cat 5 Cable from the Modem to a Hub and distribute it from there around the house on the CAT5 Cable that has been run..

As for crimping the Ends to the cable all RJ45 Sockets that I've ever used are Punch Down type there is no way of crimping the 4 pair of wires involved. However you do need to make sure that the ends are wired up the same way as the first end. This sounds simple but different RJ45 Sockets have a different Layout on the back of the sockets where you connect the wires to. A Cable Tester wouldn't hurt any either just to make sure that everything is actually working. I've found quite a few bad sockets where one or more of the wires simply do not make contact when the unit is finished. You can not pick this up without a Cable Tester. Also you need to keep the CAT5 cable at least 4 inches away from electrical Wiring but I personally prefer a greater distance. I try to have a minimum distance of at least 18 inches between CAT5 and any form of electrical wiring.

As for running two cables to every room this isn't necessary as you can stick a Hub/Switch on the end of the cable where it comes out of the wall to allow more computers to be connected to the 1 CAT5 cable if necessary. Running 2 cables went out with the demise of the Token Ring Setup and even then it wasn't really necessary as you could terminate the end of the cable and have a working connection.

As for the Bathroom that's your call but I know here that if I run a cable into the bedroom I'll get killed by the Misses. :D

Col

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