Adding additional living space to our house and would like to have a wired connection to assure fast uninterrupted internet speed in this room for my computer and smart TV. The house is otherwise covered by a mesh system, but thinking about adding network cabling while doing construction since it would be convenient.

My question is whether it should be CAT6 or CAT7, and what is needed for the installation? Should the cable run from the point where the internet enters the house, or focus on branching from the router’s current location?

If it comes from where it enters the house, do I just need to install a splitter and feed the new cable to the new rooms? Does the new CAT cable need to be run through conduit?

Thanks for the help!
K

Conduit (larger than you think you need for bonus points) is a *really* good idea.

Standards change, and what is the bee’s knees today is not going to be the latest and greatest forever. If you have conduit, you can upgrade your wire without opening up walls, saving significant time and expense.

Personally, I’d run two conduits, one from where the internet cable enters the house and one from where the router is. It is possible that the simplest, easiest approach now would be to connect the new room to the router and go from there. It is also possible that at some point in the future you may end up upgrading to a new technology that has a (faster) router where the internet cable enters the house and want to go from there to the existing router with one link and from there to the new room for a faster connection.

You don't need CAT 7.
Conduits if you need to protect form the elements or wish to add additional lines as it makes for easier fishing/running new cables.
Avoid running cable over or near florescent lights.
IF the cable you are talking about is COAX then that can benefit a splitter to multiple TV's.
IF the cable you wish to use is Ethernet then a switch is needed.
FWIW, when utilizing CAT 6 you also need CAT 6 spec patch cables, RJ45 jacks (wall plate) and a switch that is GB at minimum (no 10/100).

Dont forget following wiring standards for cat 6 such as length, bends, etc...

Unless you have fiber to the house and a gig switch in the house, you'd be fine with cat 5.

There is fiber into the house -- I'll do the 2x conduit a switch, and CAT7 approach since there is no real harm, just cost implications.

Thanks for the suggestions.


--K

I would install the latest available. Cat 7 and fiber. Leave room to upgrade.

quote:

Originally posted by slosig:
Conduit (larger than you think you need for bonus points) is a *really* good idea.

Standards change, and what is the bee’s knees today is not going to be the latest and greatest forever. If you have conduit, you can upgrade your wire without opening up walls, saving significant time and expense.

The above was going to be my post, but slosig made it so my post is now easier and shorter.