Topic: Building a new gigabit network

[Matt]

I am in the process of moving offices and which has given me the opportunity to install a new network from scatch.  

My existing network is a star type using a switch, which I would like to use again.  I just wanted to do a bit better than before.  If I connect the switch to network wall boxes and when run a shorter cable from the wall box to each of the computer will that be OK? or is it better to just connect directly to the switch?  

Also all the computers have Gigabit cards along with my sme server and I have an gigabit switch, so should I get cat6 cable rather than cat5?  

Any help or advice would be very much appreciated.  I have been looking around the web and none of the turorials are particulaly helpful.  This forum is always really great.  Also could anyone reccommend a good book or website about how to setup a network.

Thanks in advance.

[aaron]

Yes, it will be OK having a cluster of workstations on switches feeding to a central switch. I prefer to have everything run directly to a central area if for not other other reason to be able to stand in front of one place to observe ALL network activity when diagnosing issues! As long as you keep the nodes to a minimum you'll be fine and it may even provide you with better protection from hardware failure.

CAT6 or CAT5 will depend on budget and how long you expect to be in the current location as well as the nature of your traffic.  If this is a new shop with many years foreseen it may be worth the premium over CAT5.  Unless you are doing regular giant file transfers I suspect gigabit switches over CAT5 will be more than satisfactory.

[dmay]

If I connect the switch to network wall boxes and when run a shorter cable from the wall box to each of the computer will that be OK? or is it better to just connect directly to the switch?.

If you wish to truly run at gigabit speeds, all cabling, wall jacks and patch cables should be a min of CAT5e, with CAT6 recommended. If all the pieces meet these specs then whether you go direct or not doesn't matter. If you have any doubt run CAT6 cables direct from switch port to computer.

Don't plug computers into a switch then that switch via patch cable into another switch. This will defeat the purpose of having a switch in the first place.

Darrell

[Matt]

Thanks guys for your help.  I think I have decided that cat6 is the way to go connected directly to the switch.  I was going to  buy the cable. do I need special connectors for the ends or are just regular rj45's ok?

[dmay]

Thanks guys for your help.  I think I have decided that cat6 is the way to go connected directly to the switch.  I was going to  buy the cable. do I need special connectors for the ends or are just regular rj45's ok?

IMO, if you truly want to run at gigabit speed, do not attempt to install your own cabling. Get a certified data cabler in to install a reputable manufacturer's CAT6 products and then have both the installation and products used certified.

Darrell

[jonic]

Thanks guys for your help.  I think I have decided that cat6 is the way to go connected directly to the switch.  I was going to  buy the cable. do I need special connectors for the ends or are just regular rj45's ok?

Cat6 uses special connectors, the regular rj45 won't work. And I agree with Darrell, it will be difficult to set up a cat6 network, without previous experience.