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Copper or Fibre? Well overdue. Now I can't decide!

Discussion in 'Networking, Telephony & Internet' started by Nasha, Sep 14, 2024.

  1. Nasha

    Nasha Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
    Messages:
    281
    Location:
    SE Suburbs Vic
    So, fibre is something relatively new to me thus I'd always been a bit standoffish, but I can't provide any logic to that...

    Last effort of pulling 8x Cat6 runs resulted with a "core" 1Gb link, and an PoE "AP" 1Gb link.
    Suffice to say that much did not go to plan, nor was it ever really given much of a look again after that.
    I could follow a similar approach, run 4x Cat8 shouldn't be a problem after gutting the mess from last time. Still not a great deal of bang for buck is it...

    So then I considered 10G Copper DAC, 2 up the wall and still doesn't seem like I'm going very far for the cost....

    Which is where fibre shines, 20m LC-LC OM3 s under $30. That's potentially 40/100GbE deepening on hardware but that can be done as and when needed. So 2x OM3 up the wall and two 8m lengths forming a 10G switching fabric, each with a bunch of 2.5GbE ports.

    Here the plan gets cloudy... Terminate all the 2.5s, or save 1 for AP or something, and throw down some Gigabit ports? (Literally just sold a Netgear 24+4pt PoE that would've been brilliant).

    Security will be left on its own as is, 10/100 PoE is still enough for a whole lot of 4k footage!

    So if you've managed not to drink yourself into oblivion at this stage...

    Fibre seem like the right option for cost/performance/resilience?

    Would you bother terminating 2.5GbE down the walls? I'll have 4/5 per switch, so that's an entire network of multi gig.

    But I can't help but hate myself for not utilising the power of PoE that I had in my hands... PoE splitters can power just about anything these days, so between by fibre-copper hybrid, some USB-C keystones things should start to look alot better on the eyes... I'm tired of buying ever bigger boxes to store power adapters in!

    Biggest bazinga of all... Planned Horaco 2.5/10G switches. Seems mighty bloody cheap for 40GbE of bandwidth a piece, but there only seems to be decent things said...

    What say OCers?

    Lay it all on my, thick and thin, hard and fast, loose and wiggly! I want/need someone to poke holes in my thoughts, challenge my ideas even offer some guidance. It's just become really really bloody frustrating ever since I broke away from the IT industry where all I did was live breathe and socialise technology. Now, I have an ELC Director for a partner who's helpful when choosing shapes and colours . But I need some intelligent input into this situation, so that I don't F*CK it up all over again!
     
  2. OP
    OP
    Nasha

    Nasha Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
    Messages:
    281
    Location:
    SE Suburbs Vic
    Oh, and if anyone can provide me with any helpful knowledge about running through/up/down walls and across/around the suspended ceiling, that would be be super.
    Short of drilling holes every 150 and pulling cable through then plugging up the cheese, there must be a better way.

    I've decommissioned both my evaporative cooling AND ducted heating this year... I suspect that this should be helpful in moving cable around?

    I'm one of those people who... Needs friends So I can pick brains and go do it myself without annoying anyone!

    Recent necessary addition has total WAF approval. I asked if I could at least switch it to flat cable and she said it's fine... I did a little more inside every day when I see it... PXL_20240913_172921644.jpg
    PXL_20240913_172944853.jpg

    I'll run fibre to that bulkhead, even if it means gutting plaster. It will be a good place for services to filter outwards from.

    So it's definitely going!
     
  3. Pugs

    Pugs Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2008
    Messages:
    9,746
    Location:
    Darwin, NT

    Find a Good Registered Cabler in your area.. as is the legal requirements for doing cabling in Australia.

    And Cat6a over fibre.

    You have 100GbE devices??

    Most you will have is 10GBE and heck you can run that over Cat6 (under 55m)

    Most newer domestic gear is running 2.5GBE..

    Once again fine to be run over Cat6 assuming the Terminations are up to grade. (Twist and Bend rates kept in place)

    Most devices will need a Fibre to Copper conversion box and WAPs and Cameras will still need power as opposed to running POE..

    Fibre patch leads aren't designed to be run througha wall / roof they are too fragile.

    And Termination of Fibre is a pita

    Newer Cameras are full 1GBE with POE over Copper.

    And Yeah I do cabling for a living...

    20240704_091958.jpg
     
    Last edited: Sep 14, 2024
    kesawi likes this.
  4. Pugs

    Pugs Member

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    Location:
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    Also no point doing Cat7a or 8
     
    kesawi and modernshoggoth like this.
  5. bcann

    bcann Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2006
    Messages:
    6,428
    Location:
    NSW
    See, this is where i disagree, given most consumers will NEVER upgrade their in home wiring. I have always been of the opinion, throw in the best cabling you can afford at the time (in the wall). the use case may not be there right now, but in 5 or 10 years maybe, and at least you are covered. given you can get cat 6a for around $300/300m roll, and cat 7a is $450/300m roll there isn't a HUGE difference, but that is dependent on the size of your house and the number of runs. Obviously the mechs and whatnot can add up, but they can be upgraded over time if necessary, at least once the cable is in the wall, the rest if budget is tight can be done over time.
     
  6. sammy_b0i

    sammy_b0i Laugh it up, fuzzball!

    Joined:
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    Messages:
    5,832
    Location:
    Canberra
    Do you have access to your roof cavity? If so, and you want it easy and don't case about how it looks, just get some surface mount conduit, saddle clips, run it up a corner from an outlet to a junction box and pull it through the roof to wherever you want it, and do the same on the way out.
     
  7. cvidler

    cvidler Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2001
    Messages:
    19,650
    Location:
    Canberra
    running drops depends on the house construction.

    if brick veneer, the outer walls should be easy, as you can drop between the brick and internal woodwork. internal walls you'll have to find a long drill bit to get through the noggins.

    as for fibre/copper. the answer is yes. fibre is 100% better, but more limited in use. you're not plugging your smart TV / fridge/ IoT thing into a fibre port. so you need copper.

    so. what Iv'e done. fibre between workshop/server room in my shed into the house comms cupboard (centrally located, has a 6RU rack, with patch panel, and a switch), and fibre into the study where the PC is for 10ge. other rooms get copper.
     
  8. Pugs

    Pugs Member

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    Location:
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    I see your point but imo Cat6a fills this spot nicely
     
    bcann and JSmithDTV like this.

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