Is there anything I need to have in mind when ordering parts for my network?

Question

I am setting up a network for a small business, and have a few questions before proceeding with ordering parts. I will be running a Smoothwall 3.0 hardware firewall as a DHCP router. Is this the best non-commercial option?

This firewall will then be connected to a 16-port switch, which is in turn connected to a wireless access point. So far so good. Now, with the cabling... If I order cat. 5 UTP cables, along with cat. 5 wall plates, will they work together? This may seem like a stupid question, but I want to be sure about this so as not to waste time. As I have understood it, UTP is to be used for indoor wiring, whereas FTP are to be used for outdoor wiring. Is this correct?

As for the wall plates, will the cables need to be "opened" and connected wire by wire to each color? I am a beginner at this, so please tell me as much as you think I need to know. There are wall plates which come with two connectors; do these require two cables to be pulled, or can they run from one cable?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Answer 1

Well it all sounded good all the way up to the FTP part... someone needs there jargon corrected... they were probably talking about STP (shielded twisted pairs) FTP (File transfer protocol) would not be a medium standard and STP isn't only good outside it's good for putting out side it good for installing in to heat ducts and near high powered electrical equipment as well.

As for the opening of the wire you are going to have to do that a lot... if you are making cables (it would be way less costly if you do so) you are going to have to split the wire and insert a RJ45 termination on the end. The Patch panels and "wall jacks" need the opening and untwisting of wires and also to be punched down. As for the two connection wall jacks I believe it only needs one but a quick look to the back of the panel should prove self evident.

Before that you should choose T568A or T568B as you cannot mix them! The web site for "How to wire Ethernet Cables" should be viewed for how to do these. Be careful in the punch down you will have a A/B choice and if you mix them up your cable will fail to work.

Choose a speed 100 Mb is pretty standard but gigabit (1000 Mb) is good for business' that need a lot of file transfer, look at the equipment you are buying for these speeds.

You may want to print out the guides for installing RJ45s and Patch panels as remembering these are hard at first.

Answer 2

I'm not really sure about the Smoothwall 3.0 Device because I have never really heard of it, but if it has a DHCP service built in, then you won't have a problem. However, most DSL modems come with a DHCP NAT server built in, so if it really a small business, then you won't have a problem. Otherwise, if the device doesn't support NAT, then you can just buy a stand alone router.

As for the cabling, you will want CAT5e. I am not exactly sure about the spec (UTP, FTP), but if you buy the plenum rated wiring, it is good for both indoor and outdoor. I use it indoor all the time. It is just better shielded. The wall plates will require you to split open the cable and put them on the modular plug one by one. The Leviton ones come with the tool and can be picked up at home depot for a few dollars a piece. You will also need to make up the cabling to the computers. Seriously though, if you don't know what you're doing this can turn into a nightmare very quickly. The actually installation is pretty straight forward, but it is the configuration of the various components that is difficult and important. If you make a misstep there, you will leave your entire network open to attack.