Patch panel advice

[anxious_ant]

I am installing rj45 ports in each room to hide unsightly cables.
The cables will be terminated in my office which doubles as the comms room.

I am told that I need to get a patch panel to connect the cables.
I have 6 cables to patch in.

Can anyone kindly recommend decent patch panel and network cabinet? I would prefer smallest footprint possible as the room is not the biggest. Ideally would have a switch in there as well.

I have browsed Amazon for patch panels and cabinets but not too sure of the size.

[Yabu]

Surely you just need a 8 way network switch rather than a patch panel.

Eg
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8663236

ETA
If it needs to be small and you need a patch panel,
Rather than a patch panel you could use a row of data modules in a double back box or 2 or use a short length of dado trunking.

Edited by Yabu on Wednesday 26th January 19:48

[simonjj67]

I fitted one of these a few years ago, does the job it's intended to.

[anxious_ant]

Yabu said:

Surely you just need a 8 way network switch rather than a patch panel.

Eg
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8663236

ETA
If it needs to be small and you need a patch panel,
Rather than a patch panel you could use a row of data modules in a double back box or 2 or use a short length of dado trunking.

Edited by Yabu on Wednesday 26th January 19:48

It has to be patch panel according to the electrician. The cables will come out of the wall via brush plate into the patch panel.

I suppose I can ask him to terminate as rj45 and then plug them into 8 port switch but he recommended the patch panel approach.

Thanks for the advice regarding data modules. I will do some research on this.

[anxious_ant]

simonjj67 said:

I fitted one of these a few years ago, does the job it's intended to.

Thanks. I’ve seen these panels which are slightly narrower which is ideal. However how do you mount them as most cabinets are around 49cm.

[colin79666]

For only 8 I wouldn’t bother with a patch panel and cabinet unless you need several bits of network kit. If just a small desktop switch and consumer router it is overkill. If the wall is plasterboard with a void behind just get the cables terminated into a couple of 4 module faceplates like these: https://www.cablemonkey.co.uk/cat5e-modules-and-wa... then you can use patch cables to the switch or whatever.

[Captain_Morgan]

colin79666 said:

For only 8 I wouldn’t bother with a patch panel and cabinet unless you need several bits of network kit. If just a small desktop switch and consumer router it is overkill. If the wall is plasterboard with a void behind just get the cables terminated into a couple of 4 module faceplates like these: https://www.cablemonkey.co.uk/cat5e-modules-and-wa... then you can use patch cables to the switch or whatever.

Yep that’s what I’d do in that situation 2x2gang 4w face plates and slim wall boxes if not going into plaster board.

[anxious_ant]

Captain_Morgan said:

colin79666 said:

For only 8 I wouldn’t bother with a patch panel and cabinet unless you need several bits of network kit. If just a small desktop switch and consumer router it is overkill. If the wall is plasterboard with a void behind just get the cables terminated into a couple of 4 module faceplates like these: https://www.cablemonkey.co.uk/cat5e-modules-and-wa... then you can use patch cables to the switch or whatever.

Yep that’s what I’d do in that situation 2x2gang 4w face plates and slim wall boxes if not going into plaster board.

Thanks both! Yes, the 4-gang modules is what I am looking for. This is tidier and less expensive

Looking at 8 of these Cat6a modules (as cable would be Cat6a) coupled with these double gang faceplates. Will just leave 2 modules un patched

[camel_landy]

anxious_ant said:

I am installing rj45 ports in each room to hide unsightly cables.
The cables will be terminated in my office which doubles as the comms room.

For something so small and probably so infrequently accessed, do you have space in a cupboard, under the stairs or somewhere similar to stick it instead??

M

[anxious_ant]

camel_landy said:

anxious_ant said:

I am installing rj45 ports in each room to hide unsightly cables.
The cables will be terminated in my office which doubles as the comms room.

For something so small and probably so infrequently accessed, do you have space in a cupboard, under the stairs or somewhere similar to stick it instead??

M

That's another idea however running cables and power to the cupboard space under the stairs would be incur most costs.

However as above I believe having 2 4 gang rj45 wall plates are much better, as I don't need to get a cabinet.

[Captain_Morgan]

Why cat6a? Do you intend to deploy 10g networking?

[RizzoTheRat]

Does it have to be in a rack? I'm looking at fitting something in my utilities cupboard and depending how many cables I end up running it's a toss up between a couple of dual socket wall boxes, and a small wall mounted patch panel like this that takes keystones.
https://www.amazon.nl/-/en/dp/B09GVD6Y5Q/ref=sr_1_...
I can then mount the switch on the wall next to it.

If you specifically want a cabinet you can get 10" ones rather than the usual 19", and the relevant sized patch panels and switches to fit in them

Captain_Morgan said:

Why cat6a? Do you intend to deploy 10g networking?

You struggling to find any keystones, patch panel's etc that aren't 6a these days. Any websites advising how to do this kind of thing say 6 is the standard, despite everyone on the thread where I asked a similar questions pointing out that over the distances involved in the home 5e will get crazy high data rates, although someone did point out if you're using POE or sending HDMI over it then the thicker gauge might be an advantage.

Edited by RizzoTheRat on Thursday 27th January 14:12

[anonymous-user]

I have something similar to this to house the patch panels.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SOHO-Data-Network-Cabinet...

[anxious_ant]

Captain_Morgan said:

Why cat6a? Do you intend to deploy 10g networking?

Yes, for the 4K streaming

I've bought reel of 6a cables as I also plan to have PoE cameras so why not?

[anxious_ant]

RizzoTheRat said:

Does it have to be in a rack? I'm looking at fitting something in my utilities cupboard and depending how many cables I end up running it's a toss up between a couple of dual socket wall boxes, and a small wall mounted patch panel like this that takes keystones.
https://www.amazon.nl/-/en/dp/B09GVD6Y5Q/ref=sr_1_...
I can then mount the switch on the wall next to it.

If you specifically want a cabinet you can get 10" ones rather than the usual 19", and the relevant sized patch panels and switches to fit in them

Initially I was thinking of a cabinet to also house the rack mounted switch and perhaps the router. However that would take up considerable space in an already cramped office (small room really).

I would go with cat6a rj45 modules and faceplates instead which is neater solution. Just want to check with electrician if he is happy terminating this way intead of cable from hole in wall into patch panel.

[ATG]

anxious_ant said:

Yes, for the 4K streaming

I've bought reel of 6a cables as I also plan to have PoE cameras so why not?

But 4k only needs a bandwidth of 25Mbs, doesn't it?

[anxious_ant]

ATG said:

anxious_ant said:

Yes, for the 4K streaming

I've bought reel of 6a cables as I also plan to have PoE cameras so why not?

But 4k only needs a bandwidth of 25Mbs, doesn't it?

I was jesting regarding 4K streaming.
I am not a networking engineer, but I believe Cat6+ cables have better performance and shielding compared to Cat5.
Sure it's overkill for domestic applications, but who know what will happen in the coming years, perhaps 10G speeds would be the new norm.

[Captain_Morgan]

anxious_ant said:

ATG said:

anxious_ant said:

Yes, for the 4K streaming

I've bought reel of 6a cables as I also plan to have PoE cameras so why not?

But 4k only needs a bandwidth of 25Mbs, doesn't it?

I was jesting regarding 4K streaming.
I am not a networking engineer, but I believe Cat6+ cables have better performance and shielding compared to Cat5.
Sure it's overkill for domestic applications, but who know what will happen in the coming years, perhaps 10G speeds would be the new norm.

It’s only that 6a has more issues with bend radius and it’s more difficult to work with and terminate

Plus 5e will do 10g at most domestic distances ~40m

Still it’s moot if you already have the cable in hand

[anxious_ant]

Hi guys, appreciate a sanity check if this would work please.
I would get single RJ45 faceplates for the rooms, and in the office I will get x2 4 gang rj45 faceplates.

[Captain_Morgan]

anxious_ant said:

Hi guys, appreciate a sanity check if this would work please.
I would get single RJ45 faceplates for the rooms, and in the office I will get x2 4 gang rj45 faceplates.

Sorry it’s unclear what you are asking

If it’s if you can plug your router into a switch and the other devices into the switch via structured cabling then yes