Hey guys,
I appreciate the debate as I like learning why people choose to use one approach over another. I'm fairly convinced neither approach is "right" or "wrong" but that there are many variables that give pro's and con's to each - and equally functional and non-functional.
I'm torn as to which way to go. I've never done this before but I agree that on paper, I like knowing that with a panel, once I get those connections diagnosed and locked down, nothing should ever go wrong 'cept with a patch cable.
That said, since I'll be doing this over a couple weeks - I'm worried that since I want to test the first couple cables I pull before doing more (and these will be the shortest runs), by punching them down onto a panel and then moving that panel on and off to do the rest could cause some of the connections to fault due to the movement?
Since I already bought a 42" Leviton structure wiring cabinet, this seems to work but it's $100 for 12 cat6 ports and the only review seems to think it's cheaply made.
http://www.amazon.com/Leviton-476TM-...1376213&sr=1-1
I'm fairly convinced I'll do fine with this as I'm pretty meticulous despite not having done this before.
It's clear to me - however - that my greatest discomfort and challenge will be how to tear aapart my walls to drill all the studs on two rooms that have no attic or below-floor space. Time to check out doityourself.com forums
Yesterday I took off an old face plate that has no real frame of jbox, just a 2" hole or so drilled into the drywall. I tried putting a spade bit through there pretending there was a beam next to it and ... no way. Maybe a 4" hole or larger, but I'm thinking I'll just cut a 2" trough the length of where I need to run cable and have a drywaller replace the whole patch - hopefully.
Maybe I better call a drywaller to understand the best approach that allows them to do their job easiest.
Take a look at monoprice.com for the network gear. Most of the patch panels and prices I am listing are from there. They sell cheap to the public and I use them for my own personal projects.
As for the drilling, I would think a the strip would be the best bet. However 2 inches is to little to get a nice patch mostly because the replacement drywall piece is a pain to break cleanly that small and if you really want the best look, you need to bevel the dry wall edges. In most cases I like 4-6 inches for this work. I also recommend throwing pipe in if you can mostly so you can pull a new cable for expansion. When you pull the cable pull a pull string through at the same time and leave it in the wall. You can get this at the hardware store or shipped from monoprice dirt cheap. If you need to add you then attach the raw cable to the string, attach a new string and just pull it through.
I personally just use the low voltage remodel boxes but if you opened the wall you could box it up 'nice' if you wanted. Plan to pull more than you expect. Random example is my entertainment center, I pulled 2 cabled and eventually pulled 4 more for 6 total. When you have a Roku, DVR, xbox360, PS3, netflix TV etc all in once spot you find it nice to have 6 ports available on need. It is also handy since I use a 2 cat6 HDMI / audio /USB 'extender' to send video up to the TV because the media "pc" is stashed in the basement.
This will give you reference:
Swinggate $10.80
http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10516&cs_id=1051602&p_id=8624&seq=1&format=2
Patch panel: (pick off this list) 48 is $40, 24 for $20 12 $18 Best value / port is the 24/48
http://www.monoprice.com/products/search.asp?keyword=patch+panel&x=0&y=0
So for $30-$50 you can get a ton more ports and have a better quality gear than that leviton product.
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