Hi all! In the article we will touch upon the rather sensitive, and most importantly interesting topic of laying an Internet cable at home, in an apartment or in a country house. If you are reading this article, then most likely you want to do everything correctly, and not so that the wires hang from the corners of the doors like vines.
Our portal mainly specializes in explaining Wi-Fi wireless technology. And as you understand, we know almost all the disadvantages of a wireless network. Therefore, if possible, you should think about a cable connection. You need to understand that radio waves are a very fickle thing that will be worse or better in some parts of the house or apartment.
If we talk about a large multi-story building, then the problem only increases. Walls, mirrors, steel beams and rods will all greatly degrade the signal. For phones and smartphones, this may be acceptable. But, for example, to connect the same TV or desktop computer - it can be critical.
Especially for those who play online games. If the radio wave is extinguished and the signal is weak, then the Internet speed will drop and the ping in the game will increase. So it is computers and televisions that need to be connected directly. I hope you now understand that Wi-Fi is certainly good, but a cable connection is better.
Next, the article will be divided into two blocks, where I will give advice on wiring the Internet in an apartment or private house. The first part will contain tips for those who decided to lay the wire before a major overhaul. The second part will be intended for people who now want to lay the cable so that it is as invisible as possible.
Is it worth doing the wiring yourself?
Many owners, having moved into a new apartment or carrying out renovations in their home, are faced with the need to install network cables to use the Internet. In this case, property owners must decide whether to do this work themselves or turn to the services of professionals.
The average cost of laying an Internet cable per meter is about 30 rubles. However, it is worth saying that craftsmen do not undertake such work for less than 1,100 rubles. For this reason, many homeowners choose to install network cables themselves. In this case, it is recommended to carefully study the instructions for this process.
Most often, when laying a line to use the Network, television and telephone wires are installed simultaneously. In order for all actions to be performed correctly, you need to carefully plan the scheme of future communications. This will avoid installation errors. Laying an Internet cable in an apartment is a responsible job that requires certain preparation.
How to share the Internet on several computers
The easiest way to solve this problem is to use the tools available in the Windows operating system. The main thing is that all devices connect to the same network. Network cards and the necessary cables are the most important elements, without which the problem cannot be solved. Otherwise, the LAN splitters will not work.
An appropriate cable is purchased for the physical connection between all machines. The main device is equipped with two network cards, which provides Internet access.
Note! From the very beginning, you need to give each computer a different name. To configure the parameter, just right-click on the “My Computer” icon. From the context menu that appears, go to the “Properties” item.
The relevant information is checked in the “Computer name” tab. The same workgroup is established for all computers using the same section.
Next, the order of actions is as follows:
- The computer name can be adjusted when the user clicks on the “Change” button. The working group can be changed in the same tab if necessary.
- The user account must be named differently than the computer itself. Information in this regard can be easily obtained by clicking on the “Start” menu, and then going to the following items: “Settings” - “Control Panel” - “User Accounts”.
- The last requirement is the installation of identical protocols on devices related to the network. To do this, go to the “Control Panel”, then find the connections icon.
- Right-click on the connection and select “Properties”. The main thing is that the same components are installed for all connection participants. In this case, twisted pair splitters for the Internet will be quite effective.
All that remains is to go to the properties of the second network card installed on the computer device. Here, go to the “Advanced Settings” tab to allow both types of connections currently available to users. After this, other users will be able to connect to the Internet, which is distributed from one or another computer. All you have to do is click OK.
The IP address is filled in by the user himself. The subnet mask is set automatically. Gateway is a line that is left empty by default.
In the lower field, if you wish, you can check the box next to the “Obtain a DNS server automatically” function. Another option is to manually enter the IP address associated with the network card. This is a field called "Preferred DNS Server". After this, the so-called divider can be turned on.
Features of creating wiring
Internet cable installation can be done in different ways. The wire that the provider brings to the apartment or house must be brought inside the premises. To do this, you will have to make a hole in the wall, which is located between the staircase and the apartment or the street and the premises of a private house.
Next, this wire is connected to the router. Other wires will go from it to devices for using the Network. In some cases, owners choose to connect the Internet wirelessly. The router distributes Wi-Fi throughout the apartment. However, a wired connection has a number of advantages.
Wires can be connected to devices in a hidden or open way. In the first case, you will need to ditch the walls. This option is possible at the stage of construction work or major repairs. The second option involves laying wires along the walls. They can be covered with special cable ducts, skirting boards, etc.
General conclusion
A computer network in an apartment can be made using wired, wireless or combined technology. Since the connection of the router and its configuration are carried out by the employees of the Internet provider, a computer network in an apartment with your own hands is a completely doable task.
Sources
- https://WiFiGid.ru/poleznoe-i-interesnoe/prokladka-internet-kabelya
- https://FB.ru/article/363542/prokladka-internet-kabelya-v-kvartire-kakoy-kabel-dlya-interneta-luchshe-ispolzovat
- https://vpautine.ru/internet/kak-razvesti-po-kvartire
- https://profelektrika.ru/uslugi/internet-razvodka/
- https://ehto.ru/slabotochnaya-set/kompjuternaja-set-v-kvartire-svoimi-rukami
- https://rusenergetics.ru/provoda-i-kabeli/kak-obzhat-internet
- https://tokzamer.ru/bez-rubriki/shema-podkljucheniya-internet-kabelya
Benefits of a wired connection
Not all owners of private property use an Internet cable. However, Wi-Fi has certain disadvantages. The advantage of a wired connection is a number of factors.
In this case, the setup will be easier. You will not need to enter a password to gain access to the Network. Some apartments, especially older ones, have thick walls. The signal may not travel well wirelessly throughout the premises.
Microwave ovens and some other appliances can also cause signal deterioration. With a wired connection, such troubles do not happen. Also, when connected to Wi-Fi, the signal transmission speed may be slower. It's not noticeable when watching a video. However, gamers feel this lag very acutely. In the game, they can constantly lose, since the enemy reacts more quickly to changing situations. To improve signal quality, it is recommended to connect all devices for Internet use using wires.
The meaning of a dedicated channel
The provider can lay the wire and route it to individual entrances and houses. To do apartment wiring correctly, it does not matter at all how exactly the operator connected the user’s home to the network. It is only necessary to efficiently stretch the cable around the perimeter of the apartment to one or several points (end computers).
The connection point to the global network in the room must be located in the low-current section of the floor panel or in another place that is used as a replacement for the specified one.
Important! Although quite rare, sometimes operators create an access point within the premises.
Regardless of whether a fiber-optic connection is used within the house or using a regular wire, it is necessary to route the Internet cable in the apartment from the access point to the devices in the room using a wire called twisted pair.
Cable laying rules
There are certain rules for laying Internet cables. They need to be taken into account during the work process. Many owners of houses and apartments, after connecting the wire to the apartment, leave the router in places not intended for this purpose. The device is in plain sight, which increases the likelihood of mechanical damage.
Also, do not leave unprotected wires on the walls and especially on the floor. This may lead to their accidental breakage. Therefore, communications should be hidden either under a layer of plaster or in special cable channels. This will greatly improve the aesthetics of the room. Wires running openly along the wall degrade the overall appearance of the interior.
You should also remember that the wire for connecting the Internet cannot be run together with the power cable. They should be kept at a distance from each other, even if they run in the same direction. Otherwise, if the electrical wire overheats, the network communications will also be damaged. These types of wires can cross at right angles.
Examination
There are also options to check the cable connection. The key is to get both ends. In practice, this does not always work out at home - after all, the provider will not give you his end of the line. Therefore, it’s easier to check on the device - if everything works, then it’s great. No - we are looking for a different reason.
LAN testers are used professionally. This device shows for sure which vein has a signal and which does not:
Additionally, you can use a multimeter, but here you will have to ring each wire separately. But what can you do, because Russian people can do everything)
Thank you all for your attention! If you still have questions, write in the comments. We press, we press and we will press)
Types of wire
Many private property owners are interested in the question: which Internet cable is best to use? To get the correct answer, you need to consider the existing types of communications presented.
All wires for connecting the Internet can be divided into two categories. The first group includes shielded wire. A metal tube runs along its entire length. It gives the wire rigidity. Such a wire is less susceptible to mechanical damage and other adverse factors.
The second type of wires does not have such a screen. This is a softer type of communication. Although it is inferior in strength characteristics to the first group of conductors, unshielded varieties are used more often for home wiring. It costs less. With proper use, such a wire will be durable and functional. Shielded varieties are used for long-distance street wiring.
Main characteristics
UTP cables can support data transfer rates of up to 1000 Mbps. However, in practice, they are used on a slower network. When considering the operation of a home network, it is worth considering that its speed will be limited by the computer device, which is the slowest.
The type of equipment also influences the transmission speed and control methods. With modern hardware, the speed mode will be limited automatically, but with outdated models it will not work quite correctly and will require manual adjustment.
Models, the cost of which is quite high, are able to independently adapt to the quality of the line. In other cases, problems arise during reception and transmission. Data packets between devices are dropped, which negatively affects the transfer speed. The equipment freezes.
In residential premises, twisted pair cable (category 5) should be used, which can be divided into a pair of channels. The wires are separated on both sides (2 pairs for each device). Next you need to crimp them with 4 connectors. 2 LAN sockets must be used from the switch. On the second side of the wire, you will need to connect 2 devices to the computer network. This method is not a standard connection method. However, in order to transfer data at a speed of 100 Mbit/s, it is enough to use 2 pairs. The remaining 2 pairs can be used to connect a pair of devices.
Note! Using this connection method in some cases may cause a decrease in speed.
Color
Also, when purchasing, you can see that there are wires with different color combinations. In total, the network cable includes 8 different wires. Products for connection of type A and type B are available for sale.
The colors of the Internet cables are identical for both groups. However, the order of installation of individual conductors in the overall system changes. When choosing, it is important to pay attention to how the wires are located in the wire. The fact is that you can connect all devices to the router only using one connection. To do this, you will need to use either a type A or type B cable everywhere. This wiring must be at the ends of all cables.
Most often, a type B connection is used for connection. It is also called a direct connection. If you need to connect two laptops or computers, you will need to use cross-soldering. In this case, connector A is installed on one side of the wire, and connector B on the other.
Crimping theory
And now we are approaching the crimping procedure. But there is still something to clarify, the final frontier.
You have all seen the connector at the end of a twisted pair cable, which also goes into the network connector of a network card or router. This plug has a special marking. The one that is mainly used now in the home local network is RG-45. A little about the connector design and connection.
- The twisted pair is installed in the connector socket.
- The twisted pair wires are routed through special grooves in the connector.
- The contact mechanism of the connector is knives. In store condition, they are separated, providing a path for the cable wires.
- When crimping, apply pressure to the knives, and they cut through the sheath and ensure tight contact with the wire cores.
- On the other hand, the contacts of the knives remain open - they provide a connection to the network adapter when connected.
Here is a picture of how the knives work:
And here is the connector in an enlarged view (the same wire tip or “jack”):
This connection is reliable and transmits the signal perfectly. But beginners may not be able to do enough at first - and either there will be no connection, or it will be established at a low speed (this is one of the reasons for the decrease in speed on the network). The best way to fix it is to squeeze it harder again, or re-press it again. In practice, at our university this procedure did not work out for everyone the first time - so everyone starts somewhere.
Hidden wiring
When considering how to connect the Internet via cable, it is necessary to consider the procedure for creating closed wiring. This option is suitable if a major renovation is being carried out. Also, hidden wiring is more suitable for a building made of concrete blocks. For wooden houses it is better to choose an open type of wiring.
First you will need to create a diagram on which all elements of the system will be indicated with natural dimensions. The plan should indicate the router, as well as all wire lines. They will be connected to stationary devices. Next you need to prepare the necessary tools.
Lines are marked on the walls. Wires should only run vertically or horizontally. To mark channels for future cable laying, you will need a nylon thread. It needs to be rubbed with colored chalk. Next, the thread is stretched between the beginning and end of the straight route. It is pulled tight and quickly released. A straight line will appear on the wall. The second line is drawn parallel to the first. The distance between them should be no more than 40 mm.
Arrangement of hidden wiring
When figuring out how to connect the Internet via cable, you need to consider the procedure for creating hidden wiring. When the marking is completed, the grinder is drawn along the marked lines with a diamond disc. Using a hammer drill, a groove is knocked out.
You will also need to outline and create a place to install the router. It should be in a niche covered with a shield. For sockets and other elements of the system, using a round crown, cut out recesses in the walls.
After this, the cable is pulled through the corrugated pipe. This will allow you to dismantle it if necessary. The corrugated pipe is fixed in the groove using special dowel clamps or asbestos. Next, the entire system is covered with plaster. You need to fix the shield at the installation site of the router. This will allow you to access the device if necessary.
After this, it will be possible to carry out finishing work indoors.
Accessories and distribution equipment
Connecting TV cables to each other and connecting them to receivers is done using various devices, which are presented in the table:
After getting acquainted with all the devices and choosing the right cable, you can wire it yourself.
Open wiring
The installation of the Internet cable can be done after the repair. Most often, cable ducts or baseboards are used for this. In the first case, the wire runs along the surface of the wall. First, the cable channel profile is installed. A wire is installed in it. A decorative overlay covers communications.
Another popular method is to lay cables in special skirting boards. They also have cable channels. There are models on sale in which several channels are created at once. In this case, electrical, television and network wires can run parallel in the baseboard. Everyone will be in their own department.
This is a simple but effective way to quickly route the cable to the appropriate devices in the apartment.
No tool
In my life I have seen many crimping methods. But the most interesting of them was teeth, because... a person’s mother-in-law was a dentist... So sometimes you don’t even need a tool at all.
Another handy tool that everyone has is a screwdriver. Moreover, this is perhaps the most popular tool at home. The main thing is not to break anything and push through the contacts efficiently. If the connection is not established during the test, you just need to try again. The working method is difficult, everything constantly slides off - but without fish there is fish.
Another home helper is pliers. But my advice is that it’s better to suffer with a screwdriver. The pliers do not provide strong indentation (especially in the middle), and with great Russian heroic prowess they easily break the connector into small pieces.
Connecting the cable
It is not advisable to purchase special tools for stripping wires. You can get by with a flathead screwdriver. You need to purchase special clamps for the cable cores. The insulation common to all cores must be removed from the wire. This must be done carefully so as not to damage the wires.
Next, the wire for the Internet is straightened. Each core is placed using a flat-head screwdriver into the corresponding section of the clamps. The common wire must remain stationary. You need to adhere to the color sequence for the selected type of scheme. After this, the clamp snaps into place. It can be connected to the corresponding socket of the device.
Having considered how to lay an Internet cable, you can perform this procedure yourself.
Tools
The main thing when crimping is to make a high-quality cut with knives on the shell. And for this you need to create the right strong pressure on the contacts. Well, we couldn’t do it without creating tools, although we can do without them.
Pros use a special tool called crimping pliers, or crimper. I’ve also seen names like “wire crimpers” or “connector crimpers.” Here, who already has what taste, you will probably hear some other versions.
This thing isn't that expensive. You can find a working copy for less than 1000 rubles. For a one-time repair at home, the thing is useless. But their main feature is their functionality tailored for twisted pair cables:
- Cut the braid exactly to the level of the wires
- Stripping wire insulation down to the core
- Simultaneous crimping of all knives with the required force
- Sometimes there is a socket for crimping and telephone cable (RG-11)
This is what they look like:
