[AndrewM]

In our new house I have this patch panel (image attached). I'd like to read up on how it is usually set up, how to make changes, etc -- never had one of these before. Any pointers/articles/keywords to google on will be much appreciated.

Thanks!


Andrew.

 

[McSteve]

That's your basic 110 punch-down block, wired for phones, with those loopy jumpers connecting all the matching pairs together on all cables.

What do you think you might want to do with it? Each cable terminates at one 8-position clip. You can pull the jumpers out of the slots on a clip to disconnect that cable. Using a standard punchdown tool with a 110 blade, you can then connect your own jumpers to reconnect things as desired, for instance to wire up a home network.

To keep CAT 5 performance and allow 100Mbit Ethernet, keep jumpers as short as possible, avoid sharp bends, and keep the pairs twisted together as close to their terminations as possible.

I realize that's a fair bit to digest, so feel free to ask any more specific questions you might have.

 

[McSteve]

Some more general advice: You'll probably want to invest in a tone generator and probe set to identify which jacks in the house are connected where on the 110 block.

Personally, I would then get a patch panel with RJ45 jacks and mount it below the 110 block. Run cables from the 110 block to the patch panel for each jack you want to use for data. Then you can simply use short network cables to connect each jack to a router or switch, and have a home network ready to go.

 

[AndrewM]

That's your basic 110 punch-down block, wired for phones, with those loopy jumpers connecting all the matching pairs together on all cables.

Thank you!

That "110 punch-down block" is what I was looking for the most

I can now at least google something. I did not know what it's called and how to look for tools & tips.

What do you think you might want to do with it? Each cable terminates at one 8-position clip. You can pull the jumpers out of the slots on a clip to disconnect that cable. Using a standard punchdown tool with a 110 blade, you can then connect your own jumpers to reconnect things as desired, for instance to wire up a home network.

That's roughly what I wanted to do -- mount a network switch in there and have all of the cat5's connect to it. May be even the cable modem and router as well.

These loops on top did not make sense to me. I did not realize it is not only cat5, but also phone as well and these loops are just joining all of the phone jacks. It makes sense now.

 

[nap]

you would likely want to install something such as this:

rather than using the 110 block. You would then use patch cords to run from that patch panel to your electronics.

there are many designs of patch panels. You can get smaller or larger panels as well as many different types of design. I just found that pic that showed the use of the panel clearly.

 

[nap]

These loops on top did not make sense to me. I did not realize it is not only cat5, but also phone as well and these loops are just joining all of the phone jacks. It makes sense now.

regardless what they are for, it is an ugly ugly installation.

 

[AndrewM]

nap - I agree, it does look ugly and not very functional.

There is no power in that box... I guess my project would be to find a way to get power there, then just rip this "110 block" out and install a new patch panel + modem, switch and router. Sounds fun and not too expensive, now that I look at pictures and articles thanks to you and Steve.

 

[Red Squirrel]

you would likely want to install something such as this:

rather than using the 110 block. You would then use patch cords to run from that patch panel to your electronics.

there are many designs of patch panels. You can get smaller or larger panels as well as many different types of design. I just found that pic that showed the use of the panel clearly.

I was just going to suggest this. I find it's much more modular and manageable.

You can get a keystone patch panel then you terminate the run to a keystone which can be for ethernet, phone, cable TV, etc... and simply inserts in the hole, the same way as a jack. It makes a very nice clean install that is also easy to add-on to.

Here's my setup just to give an idea:

Not the cleanest mind you.

 

[leungw]

If you google "structured media" or "structured wiring", there are tons of articles on the subject.

Some common brands: Leviton, OnQ, Channel Vision

Here's my small on-going project. Most parts from Leviton.

 

[nap]

looks nice. I have a question about what you have. In the upper left corner,what are those? They appear to be a 110 type connection for the cables extending to the field but is that an 8P8C jack in the center (with a patch cord to the Netgear switch(?))?

 

[leungw]

looks nice. I have a question about what you have. In the upper left corner,what are those? They appear to be a 110 type connection for the cables extending to the field but is that an 8P8C jack in the center (with a patch cord to the Netgear switch(?))?

Thanks. The boards at the upper left are made by Leviton. It has 3 sets of punch downs on each side, and in the middle are 6 RJ45 jacks. The orange big box store sells them for $25 each, but you can often find them on eBay for about $5 each.

 

[McSteve]

Here's my setup, such as it is. It's come a long way since this picture was taken, but the principle is the same. The patch panel comes empty, and accepts the same snap-in keystone jacks that are used in the wall plates throughout my house.

[/URL]
New Home Network by mr_steve2009, on Flickr

 

[AndrewM]

If you google "structured media" or "structured wiring", there are tons of articles on the subject.

Some common brands: Leviton, OnQ, Channel Vision

Here's my small on-going project. Most parts from Leviton.

Hey, that looks really nice, now I have a benchmark to aspire to

I was reading on Leviton yesterday... it sounds good.

 

[leungw]

Hey, that looks really nice, now I have a benchmark to aspire to

Thanks. Like you, I was inspired by pictures that I saw on the web. Some people really go nuts on these things, and mine's nothing in comparison.

 

[htrieu]

Hey leungw,

That's a very nice install. I have a similar setup, however I'm trying to figure out how to mount all my network equipment. I purchased a few of the Leviton universal shelf brackets but they are pretty flimsy. Your mounting solution for the Netgear switch and modem/router look very solid. Can you tell me how you did it?

PS: I am trying to mount a Actiontec MI-424WR modem, an HP V1410-16G switch, and a Cisco RV042 Router.

Thanks.

If you google "structured media" or "structured wiring", there are tons of articles on the subject.

Some common brands: Leviton, OnQ, Channel Vision

Here's my small on-going project. Most parts from Leviton.

 

[ddawg16]

Just a note in case it was not obvious.....Cat 5 (5E or 6) is commonly used now as phone line...in fact, it's much better than the old traditional stuff you used to find in houses. Especially now with DSL and fiber systems going into houses.

If you use it for phone...one cable will give you up to 4 phone lines.

As McSteve pointed out....make sure you keep the twisted pairs together....

While your researching options for interconnecting your Ethernet....research Managed vs Unmanaged switches/routers.

 

[leungw]

Hey leungw,

That's a very nice install. I have a similar setup, however I'm trying to figure out how to mount all my network equipment. I purchased a few of the Leviton universal shelf brackets but they are pretty flimsy. Your mounting solution for the Netgear switch and modem/router look very solid. Can you tell me how you did it?

Thanks.

The Netgear switch came with rack mount ears. Instead of installing them pointing outwards, I installed the ears backwards. If you look at the picture again, the ears go from the sides of the switch and then behind. You can then either drill holes in the ears to match the ones on the enclosure, or you can use some strong cable ties to secure the ears onto the enclosure if you have access to the back of the enclosure.

As for the modem and the router, I used Cable Channel's horizontal mounting plate (C-0308). The plate fits Leviton's enclosure and has many pre-drilled holes so you can hang your equipments with screws and nuts (assuming your equipments have holes for wall mount).

Hope this helps.

 

[htrieu]

Thanks.

The Netgear switch came with rack mount ears. Instead of installing them pointing outwards, I installed the ears backwards. If you look at the picture again, the ears go from the sides of the switch and then behind. You can then either drill holes in the ears to match the ones on the enclosure, or you can use some strong cable ties to secure the ears onto the enclosure if you have access to the back of the enclosure.

As for the modem and the router, I used Cable Channel's horizontal mounting plate (C-0308). The plate fits Leviton's enclosure and has many pre-drilled holes so you can hang your equipments with screws and nuts (assuming your equipments have holes for wall mount).

Hope this helps.

This helps a lot, thank you. Unfortunately, I don't have access to the rear of my enclosure, so I can't do what you did with the switch. I may just purchase two of the Channel Vision mounting plates and mount the switch to one (it's not as big as yours) and mount the router and modem to the other. I will have to zip tie the modem because it doesn't have wall mount holes. Thoughts on this?

 

[leungw]

I may just purchase two of the Channel Vision mounting plates and mount the switch to one (it's not as big as yours) and mount the router and modem to the other. I will have to zip tie the modem because it doesn't have wall mount holes. Thoughts on this?

Sounds like it would work. If cable ties don't work you can also look into Velcro tape. Just make sure that you don't block the ventilations on the equipments.

Channel vision also makes a universal holder similar to the Leviton universal bracket, but I have never used it so I can't comment on it.

 

[htrieu]

Thanks again leungw!