I have an Orbi RBK53s system with an RBR50 router & 2 RBS50 satellites. They are mated to an Arris SB8200 modem for the Xfinity 600Mbps plan.The satellites are paired to the router wirelessly.We are building a new home. The bulider is wiring the home with Cat6 cables and terminates them on the kitchen ceiling & upstairs bedroom ceiling for optional wireless access points (extra $$). In that setup, the modem & router can be placed in the basement and the wiress access points provide coverage in the 1st & second floor.Since I already have this Orbi system, I'm not going to opt for their access points. If I want to keep the modem & router in the basement and I want to use one staellite in the fisrt floor and one in the second floor, can I do that wirelessly? Otherwise, should I ask them to provide me network drops in the first floor and second floor to connect the satellites with ethernet cables? Is this what is called ethernet backhaul?Home is about 2800 sq.ftAre there any advantages with this wired connection? Speed? stability?Thanks !

A wired backhaul will be more stable and faster than the wireless backhaul. I recommend CAT7 cable for the current best network cable. If possible, it could be in conduit to be replaced easily with future upgrades, but that of course would be more expense.

Oh, my. YES. If the walls are open, have Cat6 cable pulled to anyplace you might consider locating electronics (TV's, computers, security cameras, WiFi access points). I, personally, would skip the ceilings. A home is not like a hospital or office building where people think nothing of ugly devices attached to the ceilings. Wired connections are ALWAYS superior to wireless. They are more stable, faster, and more secure. Once the walls are closed up, you will regret not installing ethernet cables when you had the chance. Also, the "hub" where these cables all come together needs to have space to mount the patch panel, an ethernet switch, and the router, plus electrical outlets to support them. And, it can't be a sealed closet with no ventilation.

I would also run CAT6 cables to where your entertainment center is located, as SmartTVs and Bluray players can use a wired connection instead of a WiFi connection where possible. A den/office may benefit from a wired connection too for a PC or laptop dock and printer. You can place a small 4 port gigabit hub at these endpoints if you have more than one system that can use a wired connection. Wired LAN will always be faster and more reliable than a WiFi connection. When it was mentioned having a comm closet for your modem, router, and network switch, the network switch there would be for multiple wired connections distributed throughout your house. I have this at my home, but it is in the utility room where my water heater and furnace are as well. I have a 16 port unmanaged network switch to distribute wired connections to my office PC and latop dock, entertainment center, printer, NAS storage, solar panel monitor, etc. One of my two RBS50 satelites uses a wired backhaul from there.

LIke FURRYe38 suggested, it would be best for the router to be on the main floor rather than the basement, If the modem and network switch panel has to be in the basement, then have your installers pull TWO CAT6 cables from the basement (where the modem is) to the main floor (where the router would go). That way you can have it wired like this: Modem (basement) <-> Router (main floor) <-> Comm closet (basement) Then from the Comm closet, you can have CAT6 lines pulled to where your Satellites will be installed, to your office, to your entertainment center, etc. Best would be to have the Comm closet (modem and network switches and distribution of CAT6 throughout the house) on the main floor. Most installers put this in your utility room where your washer/dryer are located, or near your entrance from the garage (main floor).

Thanks. I am going to be forceful not to have it on the ceiling. It looks ugly, especially if I'm not going to use it.I would like to understand this comment:"Also, the "hub" where these cables all come together needs to have space to mount the patch panel, an ethernet switch, and the router, plus electrical outlets to support them. And, it can't be a sealed closet with no ventilation" I expect this modem & the RBR50 router will be in the basement in an open area. I plan to have 3 cat6 runs to 3 spots in the house. Those will plug into the back of the RBR50 in the basement and terminate in these 3 spots for connecting my RBS50 satellites. Will I still need a patch panel & a ethernet switch?

Orbi RBK53 system: Should I wire new home for ethernet ??

12 Replies

tomschmidt
Virtuoso
Feb 23, 2020
A wired backhaul will be more stable and faster than the wireless backhaul. I recommend CAT7 cable for the current best network cable. If possible, it could be in conduit to be replaced easily with future upgrades, but that of course would be more expense.
- CrimpOn
  Guru - Experienced User
  Feb 23, 2020
  Oh, my. YES. If the walls are open, have Cat6 cable pulled to anyplace you might consider locating electronics (TV's, computers, security cameras, WiFi access points). I, personally, would skip the ceilings. A home is not like a hospital or office building where people think nothing of ugly devices attached to the ceilings.
  
  Wired connections are ALWAYS superior to wireless. They are more stable, faster, and more secure. Once the walls are closed up, you will regret not installing ethernet cables when you had the chance.
  
  Also, the "hub" where these cables all come together needs to have space to mount the patch panel, an ethernet switch, and the router, plus electrical outlets to support them. And, it can't be a sealed closet with no ventilation.
  - ShankarHokie
    Apprentice
    Feb 23, 2020
    Thanks. I am going to be forceful not to have it on the ceiling. It looks ugly, especially if I'm not going to use it.
    
    I would like to understand this comment:
    
    "Also, the "hub" where these cables all come together needs to have space to mount the patch panel, an ethernet switch, and the router, plus electrical outlets to support them. And, it can't be a sealed closet with no ventilation"
    
    I expect this modem & the RBR50 router will be in the basement in an open area. I plan to have 3 cat6 runs to 3 spots in the house. Those will plug into the back of the RBR50 in the basement and terminate in these 3 spots for connecting my RBS50 satellites.
    
    Will I still need a patch panel & a ethernet switch?

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Orbi RBK53 system: Should I wire new home for ethernet ??