MA XIMUMPC JUNE 200 5
PREPARATIONS
Planning is key to a successful
network configuration.In order to get your network cooking,
you need to know where you’re going to
put your media server, in which rooms
you’ll want network access, and which
rooms will require hard-wired—versus
wireless—network access. (If you plan to
stream only data and music to a particular
room, a wireless access point will deliver
plenty of bandwidth, but wireless will
support only one or two video streams.)
Wired networks are based on a star
topology, with cables emerging from a
central switch (also known as the home
run) to serve all the devices connected to
the network.
Because there will be a lot of cables
emerging from this central switch, you’ll
want to keep it out of sight. Consider
placing it in a closet or even in the
garage. Keep in mind, however, that the
switch requires electrical power. At the
same time, you’ll need to keep your data
wiring a safe distance from electrical and
magnetic fi elds, such as AC power lines
(at least six inches), electric motors (at
least three feet), fl orescent lamps (three
feet), and transformers (three feet).
Once you’ve settled on a location for
your home run, you’ll need to decide
where to place your network ports.
Ideally, you’ll place the network ports
near the devices you want to connect, on
an interior wall of your house. Perimeter
walls can be diffi cult due to low overhead
in the attic or crawl space.
Once you decide where to run your
cables, you should measure the distance
for each run—be sure to measure not only
the horizontal distance from the home run
to the outlet, but also the vertical distance
required for the cable to travel up and
down the walls. You shouldn’t need to cut
your cables until the run is complete, but
it helps to know how much wire you’ll
need when you go shopping.WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Here are the components you’ll need
to construct an eight-node network. If
you can’t fi nd these materials at your
local home-improvement store, you can
order them online at Tigerdirect.com or
Newegg.com.Infrastructure:
■^ An eight-port switch – We used
Netgear’s GS608, but any gigabit
switch will provide maximum
speed ( http://www.netgear.com )■^ A wireless router – We selected
Netgear’s WGU624 because it
stacks neatly on top of the eight-
port switch, and includes four
additional Ethernet ports ( http://www.
netgear.com )■^ Bulk Cat5e Ethernet cable – We
chose Cat5e because it supports
Gigabit Ethernet; buy more than
you think you’ll need from Home
Depot or any electronics store■^ Cat5e Ethernet patch cables – You’ll
need two cables for each device you want
to connect, available anywhere network
gear is sold■^ 20 RJ-45 Ethernet ports – Leviton
makes easy-to-install Ethernet ports that
mount to any electrical box. We need just
16, but it’s good to have extras ( http://www.
leviton.com )■^ 8 single-port wall plates – The Ethernet
ports pop into these, then screw into
electrical boxes ( http://www.leviton.com )■^ 8 single-gang electrical boxes – We’ll
mount these in the wall of each room we
want to wire. Available at Home Depot■^ 1 dual-gang electrical box – We’ll run
all the wires for the home run to this
electrical box. Available at Home Depot■^ 1 eight-port, dual-gang wall plate –
For the home run, we’ll use a double-wide
electrical box and eight connectors ( http://www.
leviton.com )Tools:
You’ll need several tools to properly
install the network. We got
all the networking gear from
Leviton ( http://www.leviton.com ), and
most everything else should be
available from Home Depot.■^ UTP cable stripper – You
could use wire snips to strip the
Ethernet, but this is much easier
and safer■^ Punch-down tool for
connecting the Ethernet ports –
A must-have for tidy networking■^ Cable pullers – We like to have both
pull rods and fi sh tape to make pulling
cables through the walls easier■^ Measuring tape
■^ Drill – We recommend an actual
corded drill. Cordless models might not
have enough torque to bore large holes
through stacked two-by-fours■^ Drill bits – One—either an auger or
spade type—to drill holes large and deep
enough to snake your cable bundles
through, and a second, smaller bit to drill
a pilot hole for the wallboard saw)■^ Wallboard saw – You’ll need this to cut
holes in your walls for the electrical boxesNETWORK YOUR HOME
This network tool kit comes with cable stripper,
crimper, and punch-down tool.Super-long drill bit with cable pullersPull rods Fish tape