Home network + patch panel

jm2926

My flat is networked for phone and cat 5 but I can't get it working for cat 5, phone works ok. Here's the patch panel:



What I'd like to do is connect my router so I can hardwire the PC/PS3 instead of having them wireless, but plugging the router in doesn't work.

Any idea what I need to do?

n.b. Laptop works connected via cat5 to router, but when I cat5 the router and laptop into 3-1 and 3-2 I get nothing. I'm not sure if I need another panel or if it should be crossover cables.

hodgey87

You might want to invest in a small hub or switch if your going to be connecting multiple things and then just use straight through cables to connect it all up.

fwor

If you follow the cable from the back of, say, 3-1, does it simply just loop round and back to 3-2? It's a bit unusual (and perhaps a bit pointless) to have a patch panel wired like that, but it's impossible to see from your picture.

More conventionally, 3-1 would be wired to a socket somewhere else in the flat.

If it's wired conventionally you should just need standard patch cables at each end, not crossover cables - though some current routers and switches can auto-detect for a crossover anyway.

sharkie

what ever you do, do not attempt to plug the pc, switch, or any network connection into a hole that has the phone line on it. Computer and equipment for computers can not in most cases handle 50V.

the only exceptions to the above are fax machines, adsl routers and modems.

Hammyman

Is this one of those half-!!! jobs where they've used two cores of the CAT5 cable for phone and 4 of the others for the LAN? If so then you've got some rewiring on the cards.

amcluesent

Impossible to tell from the info give/picture.

Just be aware you mustn't create loops in the network. Google for 'node 0' networking and see what peeps do for laying out a network back to panel.

john87_2

a patch panel is just a way of terminating cables. all the sockets are independant and only work if the cable is connected to the back.

normally they are used with a hub/switch/router.

pc<-cable->wall socket<-cable->back of patch panel//socket<-cable->router

diable

Need more info regarding where the router is what sockets you have in the rooms etc etc john87 is on the right track

jm2926

I didn't do this, the builder did it when the flats were built. Each bedroom has a point like this one, and the sititing room has two:



In the hall cupboard is a metal cabinet - here's a (Hopefully clearer) picture:



Next to the cabinet is the main telephone socket, and a spare one which is not in use but intended for a second line if required (maybe that's the cable in the bottom right of the cabinet- left for future connection into the house?)

Currently only telephones are connected. I'd like to connect up my router to the network, and the PC/PS3 via two of the sockets - one bedroom, one sitting room.

jm2926

john87 wrote: »

a patch panel is just a way of terminating cables. all the sockets are independant and only work if the cable is connected to the back.

normally they are used with a hub/switch/router.

pc<-cable->wall socket<-cable->back of patch panel//socket<-cable->router

I tried this - PC reported network cable unplugged and router lan port light didn't some on. (If I cable them directly together it works - but in an ideal world I don't want the router in that room, and it doesn't solve the PS3 issue)

oneandonlyboy

I would use a Cat5e cable tester on each end point to make sure its wired correctly this would give a good idea of where the problem is.

If all is correct. I would place the ADSL/Cable router in this location and either use the ethernet connections on this device to connect your PS£, pc etc if there are enough ports(normally most routers have 4 ports) if not then buy a cisco/3com switch from ebay make sure all have the same Vlan configured on all switchports and plug one connections from the router to the switch and Bobs your uncle more connections.