Can you tell me what this hardware does in my old setup?

[iSeeker]

What is going on with my networking setup? Setup is old: cat 3 wiring (double pair so at least 100 speed) going to the places in the house. I just don't know what the items are they are connected to. One looks like a bridge (the black one). What is the one on the bottom (thumbnail gives closeup)? Why do you need both?

Bought new synology rt2600ac router, getting ds718+ with WD red 4TB. Getting TL-SG1008P PoE switch to run 3-4 ip cameras. Going to pull some new cat wiring, but don't understand the setup. Thanks.

 

[MichaelCG]

Black one is a 24-port patch panel and the white one is a 66-block.

The 66-block is the older style and comes from the telco world. No good for modern networks, but was just fine for CAT3 and basic 100Mbps CAT5e stuff....although I don't think it was certified for 100Mbps...but usually worked.

The patch panel is for CAT5e and is meant for 100/1000Mbps connections so all new stuff should be terminating there.

 

[iSeeker]

So, if want to make some new runs for ip cameras i'm getting (or replace cat3) I should terminate them at the patch panel and not in the switch I'm getting (then panel to switch)? Is the reason for not terminating in switch just so you can easily change what goes to the switch later? If I wanted to run cat6 vs cat5e, I would need a new patch panel that handles the cat6? That may help me make up my mind on cat6 vs cat5e (wasn't sure; most i have on hardware is gigabit ports). Already leaking cash with new setup! Thanks MichaelCG.

 

[MichaelCG]

Termination to panel vs direct to switch in a home environment is more personal preference than anything else. It somewhat helps with keeping things clean as well as the solid wire isn't being bent constantly and you can use stranded wore cables to patch with.

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[MichaelCG]

As for cat5e vs Cat6....well...what are the chances you are going to go need faster than 1Gbps I. The next 5-10 years? Cat5e can do 10Gbps in shorter cable runs. I just finished my basement and wired it all. I ended up with both 5e and 6 due to cost. But based on length of my runs, I should be able to do 10Gbps on all of that if that time ever comes.

Do you have to replace that panel for Cat6? No you don't...at least not yet. If you are just doing 1Gbps, you can terminate to a Cat5e panel. Later when you want to take advantage of the Cat6, replace the panel at that time.

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[iSeeker]

Cool. Very helpful. I'm enjoying learning all this stuff (been reading non-stop after I got my synology router last week). I looked on the patch panel (been here 15 years and never looked up what that was and it says cat5. Would it have said cat5e if it meant that or could cat5 mean both?

 

[CaptainSTX]

Cool. Very helpful. I'm enjoying learning all this stuff (been reading non-stop after I got my synology router last week). I looked on the patch panel (been here 15 years and never looked up what that was and it says cat5. Would it have said cat5e if it meant that or could cat5 mean both?

Before you rip out the 66 Block be sure none of the wires are supporting/ connecting landline phone jacks in the house. While you might not have any need for a landline the next occupant might want a landline particularly if the have a need for a fax machine.

 

[MichaelCG]

Knowing if it is Cat5e or Cat5e is near impossible unless you can identify the vendor and model to confirm. "Most" Cat5 is actually Cat5e.....most.

And I agree with the last reply about the 66-block...just leave it be unless there is an issue. Those lines may be useful someday in the future.

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[iSeeker]

I have learned a ton since asking what a patch panel is. I have 500ft of cat6 cable in my cart at monoprice (UPT, CMR), and at fs.com I've got plugs and gang plates. Trying to decide now between unshilded, toolless keystone jacks at fs.com (link) and some unshielded, punchdown keystone jacks at monoprice (link).

The picture is what I have currently installed (1994 install): are those punch down or toolless?

So, basically toolless jacks or punch-down jacks termination on the gang plates?

 

[CaptainSTX]

I have learned a ton since asking what a patch panel is. I have 500ft of cat6 cable in my cart at monoprice (UPT, CMR), and at fs.com I've got plugs and gang plates. Trying to decide now between unshilded, toolless keystone jacks at fs.com (link) and some unshielded, punchdown keystone jacks at monoprice (link).

The picture is what I have currently installed (1994 install): are those punch down or toolless?

So, basically toolless jacks or punch-down jacks termination on the gang plates?

It isn't necessary to have a punch down tool. When I buy keystone jacks they usually come with a small black plastic tool to push the wire down into the metal Vs on the jack. You then take a pair of scissors and trim of the excess wires. A punch down tool does this all in one step so it is handy if you are punching a 66 block or dozens of keystone connectors.

 

[MichaelCG]

What you have can be either. Easier when you have a punch down tool, but not that painful tool less....although on mine I usually ended up using channel locks to smush the plate on. I have used several different variations over the years and never had a true preference since I didn't have to do that many.

Also note...check cable prices locally. I found that MP prices were not cheaper when shipping was added. My box of Cat5e came from my local Home Depot for the same price.

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