Hi. I am currently renovating my house and as I am having the whole house replastered, i would like to install network cabling throughout the house. I have some knowledge of networking and connecting the cables, but i just want some information on any complitications that i may need to address. The layout of the house is as follows : Ground floor = 2 reception rooms. First floor = 3 bedrooms. Loft = 1 bedroom. I am thinking of having the cables run upto the loft as all the networking hardware is going to be kept. I am also having the house re wired and would like advice on the cable type, example shielded twisted pair or unshielded twisted pair, I am thinking on installing cat6.

Many thanks

Both Cat5e and Cat6 can carry 1000 Mbps bandwidth. The 5 will be less expensive. Since you're likely to have to buy at the very least one box of cable, if it were me, I'd go with the Cat5e.

Your basic UTP will do the job and again, it will be less expensive.

You may want to rethink your termination point. If you have highspeed internet you'll want the cables terminated somewhere near where it comes into the house so your equipment will be close to the modem. In most cases, DSL comes in through the phone lines and if it were me, I'd put up a patch panel beside the main phone juncture in the house so I could jumper DSL (if that's what you're going with) straight over to it. Same thing if you use cable.

You'll want a shelf below your patch panel to put your modem, router and switch on. This allows you to use short jumper cables from patch panel to switch to make all the outlets live.

The only real complications you should run into is running the cables. If you have all the plaster (drywall) off the walls, that shouldn't be an issue. I would recommend you pull at least two cables to each outlet.

Don't forget, you'll want them tested and certified before you close up your walls. Preferably as soon as you terminate all of them.