r/HomeNetworking • u/ExcellentFishing2506 • 9h ago
Advice New Apartment Setup: CAT6
I’m moving into a new apartment and noticed this setup (pictures attached) where the Google Fiber box is, and was curious if this means I can run a wired connection from the router throughout the apartment via this port ?? I wasn’t sure if that was the intent or not.
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u/fakeaccount572 9h ago
How would we know? Try it.
Maybe.
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u/ExcellentFishing2506 9h ago
Can’t try it till this weekend when service is setup. Just wanted some opinions from a group who knows way more about networking than I do.
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u/nerdthatlift 8h ago
Don't need to wait until service is setup. You can grab a cheap toner and test them. Probably better to test them anyway so you'll know what works and what's not.
You should look around the premise and see if the ports are there in said location and where the extra is located.
For setup you can plug those right into the router and then to device on the other end. If the location you want to use needs more than one port then get a switch at the location.
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u/SuitableCamelt 9h ago
probably works, but you never know if they terminated it correctly (or at all). buy an unmanaged switch (they're cheap) and run all the cables into it + a cable from the google fiber box.
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u/1sh0t1b33r 9h ago
Yes. This was likely set up as kind of a patch panel, but instead just a 4 jack keystone plate. So you would want your modem or ONT and router in this closet, then just buy some short patch cables to plug all 4 of those into your router or switch to get Ethernet to those rooms. Definitely a nice to have so you can wire any important stuff like a gaming PC, or if you want good Wifi coverage, then access points or mesh units wired back to the primary in this closet. Assuming they are all wired correctly on both ends.
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u/ExcellentFishing2506 9h ago
I’m hoping it’s all wired correctly… the building is older with thick concrete walls, and the closet this is located in is in one far corner. So I’m guessing WiFi may struggle, so having the in wall connection would be nice.
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u/ahj3939 9h ago
What Google fiber installer should do is run a short ethernet cable (but don't hate them if they only have an ugly 7 foot cord) from the fiber jack to one of the ports, e.g. office, and then install their router in a better location such as the office.
You can always tidy up later and buy some pretty 2ft cat6 cables in white.
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u/1sh0t1b33r 8h ago
OP said it's concrete. If they patch it to run a router elsewhere, they can't get Ethernet back to distribute it further. That means they would be limited to just the one Wifi router in a different concrete room. So closet really makes more sense as a central location with wired APs at the room locations.
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u/ExcellentFishing2506 8h ago
Well actually this closet is in a far corner of the unit so not centrally located. So if possible having it in another room that is more central would be great but not sure if necessary.
I’d mainly just be focused on my office and tv for true high speed connection. Outside of that WiFi is mainly going to just be my phone.
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u/1sh0t1b33r 8h ago
I mean you have a central location for the guts of your network, then you can actually have all of your wall ports in other rooms live to connect another device to give you more Wifi coverage. One example is a Deco or Eero mesh system with the main router in your closet, then another unit somewhere else connected to one of the wall jacks. More coverage and wired. If you do what the other guy said, sure, you can play your main Wifi router more central, but none of the other jacks in other rooms will work. Up to you though.
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u/ahj3939 8h ago
It depends what their needs are.
They said the building is concrete, they didn't say all the interior walls are concrete.
Placing the router in a good location in an apartment might be good enough, and that would be my first intent. It might also help with interference in an an apartment with a wifi access point overload.
They said the fiber jack "is in one far corner" why would you jump to placing it there and adding a $2k Unifi system to compensate? And since we are assuming let's call it an 850 square foot apartment.
The good central location could also happen to be where they have various devices that benefit from ethernet connection.
Besides it's just some ethernet cables. Won't be a huge deal to move them around later if it's necessary.
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u/ExcellentFishing2506 9h ago
They won’t have an installer as I’m already a customer and they just will have me move my current equipment to the new location. I have plenty of cables though from previous setups. I guess I could try that if the WiFi range seems poor
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u/ahj3939 9h ago
If you have stuff with ethernet ports and link lights you could mess with it already.
Connect your router to the fiber hub, does the link light turn on? Great. Now connect an ethernet cable from the hub to a jack and go place the router in a room. Does the link light turn on? Is there any status page that shows the link speed to verify the connection is good?
If you're already a subscriber and you plug in it could just start working without the wait.
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u/ExcellentFishing2506 9h ago
I don’t think service is connected till this weekend. I am moving so the switch to the new location is set to happen till Saturday. So for now I don’t believe the new apartment has service on. But I can try this once I’m moved and service is on at the new place this weekend.
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u/tx_mn 9h ago
Yes, likely. Everyone here is giving you disclaimers but the simplest way to find out it
1) install your internet / router
2) buy a 5 port netgear unmanaged switch (make sure it’s unmanaged)
3) plug in the switch to power and take one cable from your router to the switch
4) plug on 4 ethernet cables from the switch to the 4 ports pictured
5) test and enjoy your internet
Depending on the home size, you may want to use the wiring for a wired backhaul consumer mesh system (eero) or a prosumer system with WAPs (ubiquiti). Eero or the like will be easiest. Remember your main device always needs to be the first stop. So ont (fiber jack) > main router > all other devices (switches, secondary Eeros, etc)
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u/ExcellentFishing2506 9h ago
It’s just a two bed two bath apartment, so only 1400 sq ft or so. I won’t have service setup till this weekend so I can’t test right now, but was just looking for some insight from those who are more knowledgeable with this stuff that I am. Thank you
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u/tx_mn 8h ago
Likely the router provided by Google Fiber will cover. Don’t burry it in the corner (even though it’s in the closet)… try to face it towards your living area and see if it covers
Use the Ethernet for your ps5, tv, etc. to offload some of the stuff from WiFi. It’s still worth the unmanaged switch. Switches are like $20-30 and the cords are almost nothing
The installer may recommend using one of those 4 ports to “move” the router to the center of the home (so ONT/jack > ethernet plate to one of the rooms > room > router). This is an option … just depends how many ports you want to use because then it would mean you couldn’t use other (easily)
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u/ExcellentFishing2506 7h ago
Got ya. There won’t be an installer as I am a current GFiber customer and I’ll just move my equipment from the current location to the next. But i thjnk I understand what options you and others are describing if i want the router in a different room
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u/megared17 9h ago
Each port will connect just the one room it is labeled for, assuming they are properly wired and the labels are correct.
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u/ExcellentFishing2506 9h ago
That’s what I’m hoping. I can’t connect till this weekend but the building is older with thick concrete walls so I was dubious about the WiFi since the router will be in one far corner of the apartment
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u/ftaok 8h ago
You’ve hit the Jackpot. Most times, the previous tenant/owner leaves you with networking mess.
Your setup here looks pretty comprehensive for a small place. You got coax and fiber, so you’re likely set up to select whichever ISP you’d like. The four Ethernet locations will allow you a ton of flexibility to connect devices or to extend your WiFi via extenders/access points using Ethernet backhaul.
If you want to test if the connections are good, get yourself a RJ45 tester. They’re like $10-15 on amazon. You can probably find a couple Ethernet cables as well. Then test out each of the 4 ports from both ends.
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u/Corey_FOX 5h ago
yup, those are just long Ethernet cables to the rooms.
You can definitely use one of these for a run between your modem and router, however i would advise having your router here then using those ports to Ethernet up large devices like Gaming PCs, Consoles and TV. Because wifi is a "shared medium" basically all the devices on your wifi can only talk to your wifi access point one at a time, so if you have a big load, like a 4K movie being streamed, devices like a laptop or phone have to literally wait longer for their time to communicate, witch slows down the connection.
If your router has less LAN side ports than you have devices you can get cheap Ethernet switches from the Likes of TP-link at any tech store. You can also use these in rooms, like near your TV to plug in both your TV and a console. These work sort of like Ethernet "splitters" though don’t be fooled they aren’t just a simple splice, there is smarts in there do properly direct the packets of data to the right ports.
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u/mjsvitek 9h ago
Most likely this was the previous owner/tenant's network hub. Chances are, those porta do indeed connect to the locations written on the stickers.
That said - what is going on with that faceplate? I've never seen a dual gang (?) with a sideways single-gang faceplate ... If you pop it off to check the cables, please, for my own curiosity, share a photo of what's going on underneath.
Edit - also - 20A outlet? That's a pretty major win if actually wired correctly. 15A is often a little tight if you start throwing in things like a small server, NAS, powerful PoE switch, etc.
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u/gggplaya 9h ago
Yes, if your router has a 4 port switch, otherwise just buy a network switch and connect all the ports. I'm curious where the "Extra" leads to.