Geek My Crib

[Thorn]

Re: Geek My Crib

I would have thought you would have pushed wireless more, but I just want to connect from the car (on board system) and my notebook from the yard. Is 9db the highest antenna I can get? I actually believe I will build the antenna.

Switched wired really is preferable for most things, unless they're mobile. The problem with wireless is that it can be prone to interference, and it can bog down with too many devices on it. I really like wireless, but I do know the limits.

The largest omni-directional antenna is 15dBd, although most places usually don't have over 12dBd. Building one is relatively easy, and there are plenty of DIY sites to be found.

Don't get too hung up about Cat5 vs. Cat6. Cat5 will be fine for this use for the foreseeable future.

[SlackJaw]

Re: Geek My Crib

http://www.hiddenpassageway.com

Interesting site. I actually will have a faux built in bookcase with a compartment and wall safe.

[SlackJaw]

Re: Geek My Crib

General: What TheCotman said about conduits. When Cat 8, 9 04 10 come down the road replacing that Cat5 will be so much easier. Also, put "wiring closets" on each floor that are directly connected to each other by 4" conduit. The wiring closet on each floor doesn't have to be large, -one end of a bedroom closet would work- but should allow for wiring access. Leave doubled pull lines in all the conduits. If it's a large house, think about fiber connecting the wiring closets. Yeah, fiber may seem like overkill, but Cat5 in a house was overkill 10 years ago. Consider this: My son lives in NYC and his phone, DSL and "cable TV" are all delivered into his house via fiber (Verizon FiOS). Fiber between the floors will be a logical connection path if something similar comes to your area.

Power: Leave space in the area of the electric main panel for generator connections and/or total house UPS connections.

Network: Forget wireless as a general connection. It's great for laptops and mobile devices, but can be difficult for a total system. The best advice I can give is: "Run more Cat6." The real cost with Cat6 is the installation labor. The cable itself is cheap by comparison. Run it everywhere you can think, and then double it or quad at each location.

Phones: Phones are becoming IP devices, even if you are using POTS at this time. Your use of Cat6 is great, just make sure it goes into a patch panel a the same location as the network. Sooner or later the phones will just be another network device, and switching from POTS to VoIP will be simpler.

Video and Surveillance:
Coax is OK, as long as it's for TV/cable/satellite video, but it's age is showing, as video devices become IP devices. Again, "Run more Cat6." Forget coax for surveillance video. Even composite surveillance video will now run over Cat6 with the addition of a balun at each end. As the surveillance cameras become IP devices, it will be a matter of merely changing the device and he connection at the patch panel.

Sorry to hear about the house fire.

Thanks Frank, and don't be sorry. I lost a few personal items but I'm having the time of my life with the possibilities. (I've moved walls, closets, built for a hot tub, etc...)

It IS a big house, but one floor.

I was stupid for not pulling CAT6, but we had over 3000 ft of CAT5e, so I used it.

I ran CAT5 for POTS, and didn't really give thought to VoIP in the future. I still have time to plan here, THANK YOU.

I did use double gang plates and quaded all the bedrooms, office and kitchen as well as the den where I pulled for the entertainment center. ( HERE's another place I lack knowledge and god knows I've researched... I at least know I'm using ceiling mount speakers.

I would have thought you would have pushed wireless more, but I just want to connect from the car (on board system) and my notebook from the yard. Is 9db the highest antenna I can get? I actually believe I will build the antenna.

[SlackJaw]

Re: Geek My Crib

Large pipe conduit for data cables and new, heavy gauge copper power cables capable of supporting 20amp loads or more with no problems. Power run 2 feet from data conduit when possible. Support for E-Power or true UPS upgrades (in the future) and support for integration of SolarCells (on the roof) to feed you power too.

Conduit makes upgrade in media easier, years down the road.

UPS and SolarPower support are also good for future upgrades.

Vents to your NOC/Power closet to keep it cool -- especially if you add switches or network devices.

Ok, you lost me on some ideas but I follow you on others. I did run all but electricity through conduit, and did not staple (future fiber?) Also, I vented my closet through the roof with 2 4" ducts and fans. I don't know much about high voltage electrical wire so the electricians already ran that - I assume standard.

Are you just screwing with me saying to run the power near the data? I thought that caused noise. And you lost me on solar...I researched and came to the understanding that the hot water heater was the only viable solar device.

[erehwon]

Re: Geek My Crib

I'm guessing calling Xzibit is out of the question?

[Deviant Ollam]

Re: Geek My Crib

http://www.hiddenpassageway.com

[Thorn]

Re: Geek My Crib

General: What TheCotman said about conduits. When Cat 8, 9 04 10 come down the road replacing that Cat5 will be so much easier. Also, put "wiring closets" on each floor that are directly connected to each other by 4" conduit. The wiring closet on each floor doesn't have to be large, -one end of a bedroom closet would work- but should allow for wiring access. Leave doubled pull lines in all the conduits. If it's a large house, think about fiber connecting the wiring closets. Yeah, fiber may seem like overkill, but Cat5 in a house was overkill 10 years ago. Consider this: My son lives in NYC and his phone, DSL and "cable TV" are all delivered into his house via fiber (Verizon FiOS). Fiber between the floors will be a logical connection path if something similar comes to your area.

Power: Leave space in the area of the electric main panel for generator connections and/or total house UPS connections.

Network: Forget wireless as a general connection. It's great for laptops and mobile devices, but can be difficult for a total system. The best advice I can give is: "Run more Cat6." The real cost with Cat6 is the installation labor. The cable itself is cheap by comparison. Run it everywhere you can think, and then double it or quad at each location.

Phones: Phones are becoming IP devices, even if you are using POTS at this time. Your use of Cat6 is great, just make sure it goes into a patch panel a the same location as the network. Sooner or later the phones will just be another network device, and switching from POTS to VoIP will be simpler.

Video and Surveillance:
Coax is OK, as long as it's for TV/cable/satellite video, but it's age is showing, as video devices become IP devices. Again, "Run more Cat6." Forget coax for surveillance video. Even composite surveillance video will now run over Cat6 with the addition of a balun at each end. As the surveillance cameras become IP devices, it will be a matter of merely changing the device and he connection at the patch panel.

Sorry to hear about the house fire.

[TheCotMan]

Re: Geek My Crib

If you had about $30 - $40 grand, and nothing in your house but the studs, what would you do? I really want to investigate wireless options but am limited in my experience / imagination. I want a security system with cams and DVI, a "smart home" system, etc, but just wonder if other like minded individuals had the opportunity what they would do.

Large pipe conduit for data cables and new, heavy gauge copper power cables capable of supporting 20amp loads or more with no problems. Power run 2 feet from data conduit when possible. Support for E-Power or true UPS upgrades (in the future) and support for integration of SolarCells (on the roof) to feed you power too.

Conduit makes upgrade in media easier, years down the road.

UPS and SolarPower support are also good for future upgrades.

Vents to your NOC/Power closet to keep it cool -- especially if you add switches or network devices.

[SlackJaw]

Some are aware, most don't care, but my house burned about 6 months ago. It was stripped down to the studs and no solid walls remain. We're at the point now of wiring / plumbing and I've picked out my wiring closet, had two legs of electricity run to it, and will go with leventon modules to distribute data / video / phone. I've pulled cat5 throughout as I'm using that for phone as well. I've pulled my cable for video to needed areas.

Now, I got about $80 grand in content money and instead of replacing some items, I want to really tech my house out...so here it is:

If you had about $30 - $40 grand, and nothing in your house but the studs, what would you do? I really want to investigate wireless options but am limited in my experience / imagination. I want a security system with cams and DVI, a "smart home" system, etc, but just wonder if other like minded individuals had the opportunity what they would do.