| Learn how to wire a home network that is | | | | |
| functional and inexpensive. Normal 0 false false | | | | We will need to run Cat5 from the hub to each |
| false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style | | | | data port in each room and secure the wires with |
| Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable | | | | staples onto the framing of the walls. The data |
| {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; | | | | ports fit into regular electrical boxes used for |
| mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; | | | | outlets and light switches. The Cat5 needs to |
| mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; | | | | terminate into an electrical box with about ten |
| mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in | | | | inches of cable to spare. |
| 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; | | | | |
| mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; | | | | Each data port will be wired according to a |
| mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; | | | | corresponding color with the wires in the Cat5. |
| font-family:"Times New Roman"; | | | | These data ports are called Mod jacks and they |
| mso-ansi-language:#0400; | | | | will be a punch down block that you insert the |
| mso-fareast-language:#0400; | | | | wires into and make a good connection. |
| mso-bidi-language:#0400;} | | | | |
| Most new homes have wiring for networks | | | | This mod jack will plug into an electric box and a |
| available as part of the modern and normal | | | | wall plate will fit over it so it looks like part of the |
| functionality and not as an extra component for | | | | wall. |
| making the home worth more. Home networks | | | | |
| are a standard part of the electrical system. | | | | The other end of the cable is where it connects |
| | | | | to the network hub. We will need to terminate |
| A home should have data ports in every livable | | | | this cable with an RJ-45 connector. This is the |
| room in the house. Bathrooms and pantries | | | | connector that plugs into the network port on |
| probably don’t need data ports. A data | | | | computers and data ports. We need to have a |
| port is where you connect your computer patch | | | | special tool that presses all the wires in place |
| cable so you can have Internet or access to | | | | inside the connector. |
| family networks. | | | | |
| | | | | We can gently scribe a ring around the Cat5 cable |
| Wireless networks are popular because they | | | | with a utility knife to peel the plastic coating away |
| don’t require all the cable to each room, | | | | from the wires about a half-inch from the end. |
| but most communications technicians like myself | | | | The wires will need to be in the exact order |
| strongly discourage the use of wireless networks | | | | before we slide them into the connector. |
| due to lack of privacy and neighbors stealing free | | | | |
| Internet from you. | | | | With the connector tab down, the wires need to |
| | | | | start from left to right as follows: |
| The cable we use in home networks is called Cat5 | | | | Brown\white, White\brown, Green\white, |
| cable. It has eight wires inside of different colors. | | | | White\blue, Blue\white, White\green, |
| We will need to find out which room we want our | | | | Orange\white, White\orange |
| main network hub to be in. I prefer to have a | | | | |
| utility room with access to a distribution panel or | | | | In this order, push the wires so they gently fill the |
| junction box for cable TV, phone systems, home | | | | slot into the connector and then use the punch |
| security, and home network systems all together. | | | | down tool to make a perfect seal. You can buy a |
| | | | | pair of inexpensive line testers to make sure that |
| Most home network hubs also have a router for | | | | all the cable runs are functional. |
| Internet access. Without the Internet, a network | | | | |
| hub still gives all computers in the home the option | | | | Put all wall plates on and connect the hub to the |
| to be a part of the family network. | | | | Internet and to all the computers on the network. |