Home network cabling question

alex.krycek

Hi all

I am wondering what the best way to run network cables in a semi d.

I have router under the stairs and my plan is to add 2 ip cameras (1 front of house and 1 back). The cables for these will be PoE run through the attic and down the walls into where I have the router. I will also need to connect an upstairs office to the router (and maybe bedrooms in future).

My question is do I run 1 cable up the attic and put a PoE switch up there also to connect the 2 cameras and office to it?

Or do I run 3 cables up to the attic and connect everything back to a switch under the stairs.

I assume both will work but was wondering what's best practice with cameras, do they each need a cable run of their own. In the future I might add another camera or 2(maybe doorbell etc).

Currently the cameras will not be connecting to an NVR just into the network but this might change.

Thanks

Alex

dam099

I think either would work if not using an NVR.

A lot of NVRs I have seen have POE ports and I think the recommendation (maybe even requirement) is that cameras go direct into them. Where would you put an NVR in future? If in the attic anyway then a POE switch up there now would be fine otherwise I would pull 3+ to under the stairs.

Also do you have power in the attic? If not there are POE switches that can themselves be powered by POE++ or POE+++ that themselves can then power other POE devices.

salmocab

don’t know too much about the actual switches and other devices but I’d always be of the opinion that running cables straight back to one location is best, in the future if you have issues or want to change things up it generally makes things easier.

davo2001

Run the three cables back to the switch under the stairs, the attic usually gets fairly hot in the summer so this can have an effect on the switch performance and reduce life span in the long run.

alex.krycek

Good point about the power. Currently in the attic there is no power so I think it might be a good idea to run all cables back into under the stairs where a Router / NAS / Switch / UPS will all be powered.

I forgot to mention I also have a Unifi AP that is also PoE and will be going on the ceiling over the landing(directly under the attic) so that's another cable run I forgot about.

I'm still at the stages of figuring out the best route down for the cable(s), got a loan of a stud finder yesterday so will plan the best way down then start opening up walls. This is as far as I have gotten(see pics). I have no idea whats in the walls(hoping they are hollow).

With regards to those PoE switches can they themselves be powered by PoE? And if so would they be able to power an Access Point and 2(or more) Cameras?

Its adding up to be a large switch if I add in 2 other bedrooms networks points.

Thanks

Alex

donspeekinglesh

If your using Unifi gear have a look at https://techspecs.ui.com/unifi/switching/usw-flex-2-5g-8-poe?s=us

I'm using the older USW Flex in the attic for about 2 years without issue. It's powered over POE from a switch in my home office, and it's powering the AP I have mounted in the landing. (Eventually it'll power switches in the kids' rooms - when I get around to running the cables.)

alex.krycek

Just to add, if I do get an NVR it will most likely be under the stairs also.

I have a feeling I will need to run a good few cables down the walls to make it future proof.

alex.krycek

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123706663#Comment_123706663

Will take a look at this, I am using a Cloud Gateway Ultra and U6 Pro Access Point.

dam099

Given what you’ve described if possible I would probably run every end device you have planned to under the stairs plus leave at least 2 extra runs with some spare length in the attic for redundancy / future devices.

alex.krycek

Some good advice and plenty for me to think about, thanks everyone.

I think I might try get as many runs in the walls as I can, anyone ever used a conduit in the wall, something like this but maybe wider to accommodate more cable: https://www.screwfix.ie/p/deta-tte-flexible-conduit-20mm-x-10m-black/234PV

Might be easier to push cables down in the future. Just a thought.

I did manage to get a hole in the wall earlier and have a look in, looks like my walls have steel studs not timber, but there is plenty of room for cabling, I just need to get a through the steel plate at the top and bottom, I hope its as thin as this vertical one.