Evaluate my my plans for wired gigabit home network...

[PilatusInc]

In that diagram you have listed switches but not patch panels? An oversight in the drawing or is it something you havent thought of?

I did not have a "patch panel" listed in the drawing... I have no idea what it is and really why I need it. I looked at your drawing but I still don't see why I need it if I have enough ports available in the switch?

Originally Posted by ua549
You may wish to put a drop in the kitchen as well. New appliances can be connected to the LAN for management purposes or to use the PC embedded in the refrigerator.

Good idea, I will be running a line to the kitchen near the Fridge.

Originally Posted by ua549
I'd consider installing cat-6 wiring for future 10Gbase-T use instead of cat-5e.

I will look at the cost of both cat6 and cat5e and will definitely choose cat6 if the price is right.



OK, so far apparently I need to add a patch panel to the equation... is the 5 port switch by my entertainment center (TV, DVD, Dish DVR, Media Server) Necessary, or would a plain old hub at that location work? This Media Server that I have hooked up to my TV has a lot of ports forwarded for FTP and other applications, is my FTP server still going to work from this location behind switches and hubs?