Running Ethernet

From David's Wiki
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Running Ethernet throughout your house.

Tools and Materials

As a bare minimum you'll need the following

  • Ethernet Cable. I prefer 1000 ft of Cat6 outdoor rated pure copper cable.
    • Avoid CCA cables; they're less reliable and less resilient to bending.
    • Shielded cables are unnecessary for most installs. You'll only need them if you plan to run them along power lines. They're also more difficult to work with.
    • You may need Cat6e or Cat7 if you have very long runs (e.g. 100 meter runs) or you want 10 gigabit in the future.
    • I've had luck with premiertek_official on eBay.

For a more professional install, get the following:

  • Cat7 Ethernet Cable for 10 gigabit or very long gigabit runs.
  • Keystones Wall Plates Mounting Brackets
  • A drill for outdoor runs and relevant bits. You will need a long drill bit (12 in) to drill through walls. Normal bits are sufficient for drilling through studs.
  • Cable clips for ourdoor runs.
    • For people like me without a nail gun.
  • Duct Seal for filling holes.
Notes
  • There are some cheap kits on amazon which include multiple items (e.g. crimper, wire stripper, tester, plugs). I cannot comment on the quality of them.

Crimping