New Home Network Question

[Muadib]

I do have internet.

That's my Xfinity router, that label is just holding it there temporally.

That's good. It looks like you have a cable going from the router, to what I'm guessing is a switch, that's across from the router. You also seem to have 4 other cables going from the switch, up to your patch panel. The cables that are punched down on the patch panel are going to the rooms in your house, and they appear to be labeled. Pick one of the cables going from the switch, and trace it back to the patch panel. Then look at the cable that's punched down and see what room is written on the cable that's punched down. It's hard to tell by the picture, but you don't appear to have enough RJ45 jacks for every cable that's punched down. Since you have a toner, you can put it into one of the RJ45 jacks, and then see if you get tone in the room written on the cable that's punch down and labeled.

 

[Mloc33]

This thing is, even tough I've internet, I've found the ethernet port for my room, I still don't have the internet, so would that mean that the wire in that lunch down area is wrong/faulty?

 

[Muadib]

This thing is, even tough I've internet, I've found the ethernet port for my room, I still don't have the internet, so would that mean that the wire in that lunch down area is wrong/faulty?

You have a cable labeled feed. I'm pretty sure that's feeding the patch panel, so you need the other end of it to go to either your router, or your working switch.

 

[MDub]

You have a cable labeled feed. I'm pretty sure that's feeding the patch panel, so you need the other end of it to go to either your router, or your working switch.

I dont' think that's right. The top most board with the "Feed" and "Kitchen" cables punched-down to it looks like its for telco.

One thing I noticed which may be a problem: There's a blue patch cable going from the Xfinity router to the lower switch. There's a second white patch cable going from the Xfinity router to a second switch. The two switches also appear to be connected together - this may cause an issue. Try disconnecting the white patch cable from the router (or the cable between the two switches) and see if it helps.

 

[Muadib]

I dont' think that's right. The top most board with the "Feed" and "Kitchen" cables punched-down to it looks like its for telco.

One thing I noticed which may be a problem: There's a blue patch cable going from the Xfinity router to the lower switch. There's a second white patch cable going from the Xfinity router to a second switch. The two switches also appear to be connected together - this may cause an issue. Try disconnecting the white patch cable from the router (or the cable between the two switches) and see if it helps.

Ok that makes sense, and would explain why theres no RJ45 jacks there. I have to disagree with you on the 2 switches though. The white cable in the oval switch is feeding the square switch so it has internet too. If he removes that cable, the square switch won't have internet.

 

[MDub]

Ok that makes sense, and would explain why theres no RJ45 jacks there. I have to disagree with you on the 2 switches though. The white cable in the oval switch is feeding the square switch so it has internet too. If he removes that cable, the square switch won't have internet.

There also appears to be a gray patch cable plugged into both switches, which would accomplish the same thing. You shouldn't have both. Either the white patch cable or the gray patch cable needs to be disconnected.

 

[Muadib]

I wasn’t sure where the other cable was going, but you’re right, he doesn’t need 2.

 

[Mloc33]

If I plug it the white cable, I'll lose the net.. I think I've tried almost every cable configuration... I'm outta ideas.

 

[mxnerd]

Idetify which RJ45 plug on the patch panel is connected to your room's RJ45 plug. Connect an ethernet cable from that patch panel's plug to one of your switches' ethernet port.

Of course you also need to make sure those 2 switches are connected.

 

[chrisjames61]

You need to tone out those ethernet runs.

 

[Mloc33]

Idetify which RJ45 plug on the patch panel is connected to your room's RJ45 plug. Connect an ethernet cable from that patch panel's plug to one of your switches' ethernet port.

Of course you also need to make sure those 2 switches are connected.

I have identified the port for my room, have cable from that port, to a port on the switch, but it only shows an orange light on the switch for that contected port, does that mean that the switch isn't cabled up correctly?

 

[Mloc33]

You need to tone out those ethernet runs.

What does that mean?

 

[mxnerd]

I have identified the port for my room, have cable from that port, to a port on the switch, but it only shows an orange light on the switch for that contected port, does that mean that the switch isn't cabled up correctly?

Manufacturers could use different color to mean different things. You have to read switch's pdf manual to tell what speed it's running at (orange, green or a combination of both). But usually that should be a good sign. If the connection is not good, usually the LED light won't turn on.

==

Besides, why there are 2 ethernet cables (one blue to the lower switch, and another white cable to where? the upper switch?) connected to the Xfinity router?

 

[ch33zw1z]

Has anything changed from the original pictures? i'm joining late...

 

[Mloc33]

Has anything changed from the original pictures? i'm joining late...

Nope, lol.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Nope, lol.

1. Is the secondary wifi device a router? If so, it needs to be configured as a WAP, Google "router as WAP" to find tutorials. Basically won't use wan port, disabling SOHO router type functions.

Allow the Comcast gateway to run the network, it will do just fine. The entire subnet will be a 10.0.0.0 / 24

2. You have a network cable from both the Comcast device and the other wifi device both going to the same switch. It's one or the other. The 8 port switch should not be connected to the Comcast gateway and the other wifi router simultaneously.

3. The thing on top is a patch panel. All your drops go there, then each drop you want to "activate" needs a cable from the patch panel to a switch.

There's technically only 3 drops activate right now, all going to the Soho router, none to the 8 port switch from the looks of it.

Please post model of Soho router (aka secondary wifi device)

 

[mxnerd]

Like what ch33 has said, you can't connect those 2 switches to each other and both also connected to the Xfinity router simultaneously. You can only choose one method.

router ---> switch 1 --> switch 2

or

router port 1 --> switch 1 and
router port 2 --> switch 2

 

[ch33zw1z]

Like what ch33 has said, you can't connect those 2 switches to each other and both also connected to the Xfinity router simultaneously. You can only choose one method.

router ---> switch 1 --> switch 2

or

router port 1 --> switch 1 and
router port 2 --> switch 2

Yup, and this one depends on you configuring the SOHO wifi router as a WAP only. SOHO routers are 3 devices in one. Router, switch, WAP....in this scenario, the device should only function as a switch and WAP.

Having 2 routers in your home network is just more trouble than anything in almost every case.

I would likely go with:

Comcast Gateway --> 8 port switch --> router was WAP (no longer using WAN port)

In fact, the SOHO device could sit in another room as needed for wifi coverage.

Depending on how many ports the OP actually needs, the 8 port switch could be enough.

 

[Mloc33]

Yup, and this one depends on you configuring the SOHO wifi router as a WAP only. SOHO routers are 3 devices in one. Router, switch, WAP....in this scenario, the device should only function as a switch and WAP.

Having 2 routers in your home network is just more trouble than anything in almost every case.

I would likely go with:

Comcast Gateway --> 8 port switch --> router was WAP (no longer using WAN port)

In fact, the SOHO device could sit in another room as needed for wifi coverage.

Depending on how many ports the OP actually needs, the 8 port switch could be enough.

The other router is a Netgear one, it was left there from the previous owners, it's just sitting there, !!! NOT!!! being used.

I will try your suggestion, thank you.

 

[ch33zw1z]

The other router is a Netgear one, it was left there from the previous owners, it's just sitting there, but being used.

I will try your suggestion, thank you.

what is it being used for? if just for switch ports, get it out of the mix for now and just use the 8 port switch to verify drops.

comcast gateway --> 8 port switch --> patch panel

 

[mxnerd]

So the lower "switch" is actually a router. Do what ch33 suggested, just remove it from the whole thing.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Also, it would be helpful to let us know what model patch panel that is. .

 

[SamirD]

Of the two ports on the switch(I say two cause the tone I`m getting is very strong near that area)only one of them gives me an orange light on my Xfinity router, I tested the ports with the wire tester and the number on it that lit up were from 3-8...Does that mean that the wiring for either the panel port or the port in my room could be wrong/broken.....?

I'm not exactly sure what you mean here, but your toner should not be connected to any equipment--just bare wire.

 

[ch33zw1z]

I'm not exactly sure what you mean here, but your toner should not be connected to any equipment--just bare wire.

Not necessarily. Some just have an RJ45 you can plug into a patch panel port and go find the active cable with the probe

Really, the other way is probably easier. Plug in the generator at the drop in the room, go back to the panel and see which cable in the trunk lights up

 

[SamirD]

Not necessarily. Some just have an RJ45 you can plug into a patch panel port and go find the active cable with the probe

Really, the other way is probably easier. Plug in the generator at the drop in the room, go back to the panel and see which cable in the trunk lights up

Yes, but you shouldn't have any other active equipment on the line, ie, you should not plug it into a switch.

If the cabling is known to be good, you don't even need the toner--just plug up an ethernet device in the room and then keep patching until you get a link.