Setting up a patch network

[JohnPye]

Hi Guys

I have been asked to setup a patch network at work by my employer, it is a small company, but we have been given new equipment to utilise .
How do I set it up and what's the best way of to go about setting it up?
We're getting a new internet connection, so as soon as it goes in I can start working on the patch system.

 

[seepy83]

Are you talking about installing network drops and a patch panel? If that's the case, I'd pay a company that installs data cabling to do it. I guess you can go google "how to install a patch panel", but don't be shocked if you experience network problems due to improper terminations.

 

[Lithium381]

If i'm under the assumption you've been tasked with building and running wire for patch panels in your network closets . . . hire someone. it's a HUGE pain to run and to troubleshoot.

 

[kevnich2]

Yeah if you're wanting to run data cabling to a patch panel, just find a network/telephone wiring company to do that for you. You may think the price is very high but trust me, it's worth it. I run my own if it's only one or two drops here and there but for anything over 3, we have an outside contractor do it for us. It's just not worth the pain and hassle and theirs always looks much neater in the end, since they do it for a living

 

[JohnPye]

Are you talking about installing network drops and a patch panel? If that's the case, I'd pay a company that installs data cabling to do it. I guess you can go google "how to install a patch panel", but don't be shocked if you experience network problems due to improper terminations.

I am talking about installing network drops and using a patch panel. The company is a social enterprise so they rely on the staff to do things so i'm looking to do it as cheap as possible. I'll look on google to find the best result.

 

[Fardringle]

Saving costs is important, but with things like wiring you really want to have a trained professional do it properly or you'll be spending a lot more time and money later on trying to figure out why it doesn't work.

 

[JackMDS]

Saving costs is important, but with things like wiring you really want to have a trained professional do it properly or you'll be spending a lot more time and money later on trying to figure out why it doesn't work.

+1

Judging from the OP two short posts it seem that he does not have any experience in this matter.

Saving money on the Network bone by in experience install usually cost x10 more later on.

If at all, under this circumstances you are better off buying terminated manufactured cables and few switches and run them physically in the easiest way possible (molding on the floor base is one quick solution.

P.S, I usually do not deter self doers from trying, but there is a big difference between doing for you own family as oppose of doing Business that can end up going down because of compromised DATA system.

Social enterprise might have more responsibilities and people live tied to it than a business that just lose money. As an example is the conundrum that currently exsist in the VA computerize system.

 

[xperan.rich]

If you're adamant on doing this yoursekf, first look at a cheap network tester on ebay, while you won't get any great info out of it, you'll be able to spot any crossed over cables, then you'll want an IDC Professional Cronin tool, I'd recommend buying a few of these as if they break half way through a job you'll get horribly frustrated, cable strimmer. a few boxes of 305m CAT5, and of course patch panels, patress boxes face plates and trunking if required.

If you've got an accessible false floor running the cables isn't usually *too* bad, if not, you'll need a decent drill, with spare batteries, and a lot of drill bits, I'd also recommend in a cable fish kit.

By this point you're ready to go except you've probably just spent the same amount in parts / tools as it would have cost to have someone come in and do it, this is useful if you plan on doing more than one install. Terminating the cables isn't difficult just match them up with the colours on the back of the patch panel / network sockets (there will be two sets of colours for A nd B standards, make sure you use the same on both sides, and KEEP THIS UNIFORM!!). After this you'll just need some patch leads to go from your patch panel to your devices (Computer, Switch, etc)

Hope this helps, or at least puts things into perspective as to how big a job this quickly becomes.

 

[kevnich2]

I am talking about installing network drops and using a patch panel. The company is a social enterprise so they rely on the staff to do things so i'm looking to do it as cheap as possible. I'll look on google to find the best result.

Going by this post, I cannot recommend you doing this yourself whatsoever. This tells me you know nothing of the importance of a properly ran, terminated and tested layer 1 infrastracture for data. Do the company a big favor and hire a telco wiring company to come in and run all the necessary drops for you.

 

[splat_ed]

I with get a professional in, or buy ready made cables. The other big question has to be, do you have runs already installed? Or do you need to drill yourself? That will be a ton of extra work right there. Add on top of that testing cables if you make them yourself. Finally, if you need to drill, do you have permission form the building owner (assuming rented office space...)?

Doing it yourself can be rewarding but is time-consuming and you'll forever be the one to diagnose problems with the network...

 

[Ketchup]

I am talking about installing network drops and using a patch panel. The company is a social enterprise so they rely on the staff to do things so i'm looking to do it as cheap as possible. I'll look on google to find the best result.

So, your time is worth less to your employer than a professional getting the job done more quickly because they are doing a job in their feild?

And this decision is not only going to take your time, but possibly everyone at your location as you work on doing something for the first time (by your two posts, I am assuming this is quite a bit different than your daily tasks).

I love learning new things, but this could be a sign that you need to update the ol' resume here.

Just sayin', since we know nothing about your job.

 

[kevnich2]

So, your time is worth less to your employer than a professional getting the job done more quickly because they are doing a job in their feild?

And this decision is not only going to take your time, but possibly everyone at your location as you work on doing something for the first time (by your two posts, I am assuming this is quite a bit different than your daily tasks).

I love learning new things, but this could be a sign that you need to update the ol' resume here.

Just sayin', since we know nothing about your job.

I agree with this. I know how to run wire, terminate it and test it and personally...I'd rather pay someone else to do it. It's a lot of work and I don't do it regularly on a day to day basis to know all the tricks to speed the process so to me, it's a lot of work and hassle. If it's not done absolutely right, it WILL cause alot of weird, horrific problems later on in the network. Some systems won't work, some will but be slow, etc.

If it's a small business, it should be worth it to them to have an outside IT consultant/contractor that they can call for issues like this. It's worth the expense.