Wiring Considerations

Introduction

Older, proprietary home automation and security systems traditionally have required their own, dedicated wiring. Placing that wiring is often the biggest hurdle in installing such systems, and usually entails tearing open walls in order to run the special cabling (which is often very thick and difficult to manage).

In contrast, LinuxMCE uses standard CAT5 wiring and RJ45 jacks. Because it is IP (Internet Protocol) based (the same protocol that runs the Internet and most local home and office networks), it runs directly over an Ethernet network. Ethernet networks use standard CAT5 (or sometimes the slightly heavier CAT5e/CAT6) wiring with RJ-45 jacks. This wiring is often already pre-installed in recently-constructed homes, since it is now used for most phone systems as well as for home networks. Even if your home does not already have CAT5 wiring pre-installed, CAT5 wires are some of the smaller, easier wires to install. Installing CAT5 wiring in a house is well worth the cost and will increase the resale value, even without a LinuxMCE system. Home networks (LANs) that are run over CAT5-wired Ethernet connections are increasingly popular for Internet access and file/printer sharing throughout the home.

Thus, the only wiring requirement for LinuxMCE is that you have Ethernet (CAT5) wiring. All wired LinuxMCE devices (such as a PC used as a Media Director) will be able to directly plug into the RJ45 jack.

Wired vs. wireless connections

Note, however, that not all LinuxMCE devices require a wired connection. Many can connect wirelessly, if you have a wireless access point connected to the LinuxMCE Core server. However, it is easiest for the main components, the Core and the Media Directors, to be connected in a wired fashion.

CAT5 vs. CAT5e vs. CAT6

• CAT5 wiring is the smallest gauge. It was the standard for many years and is suitable for data speeds up to 100 Mhz, which was the maximum for many years over LANs. However, the increased speeds and loads of modern LANs place a strain on the characteristics of this wire. It is no longer recommended as the wiring standard.

• CAT5e wiring is now considered the standard, and uses somewhat higher gauge wires. This enables the reliable transmission of data at Gigabit speeds, used by newer LANs. It is also more reliable when longer runs of wire are used.

• CAT6 wiring uses even higher gauge wires. This is suitable for long wire runs.

Also see: What is proper cat5 cabling?