Re: Single Cat5 split for telephone and ethernet

"B Wooster" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> I have moved into a house where they have run
> a single cat5 in home-run fashion, from a central
> point to 4 outlets.
>
> I am considering splitting the cable to run
> both phone and ethernet - I've read the numerous
> posts on this, and I understand that there are some
> who are totally against this, but that it does work.
>

Even though not recommended, it's done this way often in low budget
situations. If you don't want to re-wire, the only other choice would be to
go wireless.

> Objective: should require no change to end-users
> - they should be able to use standard LAN RJ45 cable
> or Phone RJ11 cable in the jacks.
>
> Procedure:
> At each wall plate, install two jacks.
> One RJ-11 - for two phone lines.
> Use Pair 1 and 2 for this - wires (4,5) (3,6)
> [Standard T568A]
>
Wrong.
Pins 4,5 (blue/white) are correct, the other pair should be 7,8. The are not
used in 10/100 baseT ethernet.
You can use separate RJ11 jacks, or but both pairs on one jack.

> One RJ-45 - for ethernet
> Use Pair 3 and 4 for this - wires (1,2) (7,8)
> [Non-Standard usage]
Pair 1,2 and 3,6 are standard ethernet connections. Use those, as the other
reply mentioned, then standard cables and connections will work.


>
> Patch Panel:
> Not sure if 110 or 66 block would be easier to use.
> Following wiring schematic listed above, split each
> cable into two blocks [again, non-standard wiring]
> Since I've four outlets, will use 8 ports on a 12-port RJ-45
> patch panel to house all this.

I would use "IDC" "keystone" jacks, such as those made by Leviton, Hubble,
or ICC (my favorite). They are available at Home Depot and Radio Shack if
you don't have any better place.
You can now create a patch panel with a row of data jacks and another row of
phone jacks if you want. (You can get 8 and 12 port panels for the
"keystone" jacks.)
You might not want modular phone jacks at the hub end, so you could run the
phone wires right to a punch block (either type would work for phones). If
you are bringing the data wires to a punch block, the 110 block is
preffered, although the 66 blocks can also work ok.


> Any thoughts appreciated - also, would this totally
> throw off any electrician if they come to my house?

Most electricians would not know half of what you already know, so you could
teach them a thing or two.
Some do know data cabling, but not the ones I usually meet.
Most computer programmers also would usually not know what we're talking
about here (this is hardware, not software).
A telecom or datacom cabling person should have no problem understanding
what you have done.


> And what about when I want to sell the house,
> would people think this was a good thing, or would I need

This is a good thing, especially if it is done neatly, and documented.
Having a home run on all the cables is very valuable. You can hook up a
small phone system easily.
Chances are the buyers would remodel what ever room you put the patch panels
in and rip it all out anyway.  But at least you get to tell them that the
house has built in network cabling when you are selling it to them.

Charles