Choosing Structured Media Distribution Panel Modules
The latest episode in the structured wiring project...
The Dilemma
With the cable schedule planned and the wire pulled throughout the house, it's now time to select and install modules in the distribution panel in the basement.
Over the past few weeks I've researched the various modules that Leviton offers and selected the best fit for our needs. I'll outline the thought process I went through in selecting the telephone, Internet and video modules among the various modules available.
(Note: Because I've already selected Leviton's Structured Media Center for the distribution panel enclosure, the options reviewed here are limited to their products. Other manufacturers will have slightly different options, but I'd expect the concepts to be the same.)
Options
Leviton offers lots of different modules you can mix and match to suit your needs. In general, these options are designed to meet four basic needs: video distribution, internet sharing/home networking, whole house audio distribution, and telephone jack distribution. To simplify things, I'm going to group their options into three general categories:
- Basic - A basic setup is good for a condo or smaller 2-3 bedroom home. For these situations, Leviton makes economy panels that combine several purposes. For example, their Basic Home Networking Unit can distribute telephone to nine locations, internet to six locations, and video to six locations. Combined with their 4-port Internet Gateway, this provides a small home but with limited future flexibility.
- Average- For greater flexibility and expansion possibilities, Leviton's 12, 18 or 24-Port Media Panels can route internet and telephone access to more locations. Panels also use a jumper-cable system that allows any individual port around the house to switch between telephone or networking capabilities when necessary (more on this later). The same4-port Internet Gateway from the "basic" configuration is still needed, but larger networks may also need an additional 4 or 8-port router. With this approach video is also handled with a separate video distribution module. Leviton sells many models with varying features.
- Advanced - Advanced systems build on the"average" configuration by adding various optional modules. Leviton makes specialized modules for whole-house audio distribution, closed-circuit video (like a security camera), and infrared repeaters for controling A/V equipment from different rooms.
Our Solution
Based on the cable schedule I drafted, the media panel downstairs will eventually need to support:
- 7 phone jacks
- 12 computer network ports
- 8 cable TV jacks
With these requirements, I've decided on something between the "medium" and "large" configurations. Here are the specific modules I chose...
| 24-Port Media Panel (Telephone & Data Networking) This panel allows the installation of up to 24 access locations around the house, each of which can provide either phone or data/internet access. As each cable comes in to the media panel, it terminates in one of the 24 RJ-45 ports. Jumper cables then connect any port to either a data router (a separate module, below) or a telephone distribution module (included in this panel) that provides multiple connections to the outside phone service. |  |
| 4-Port Internet Gateway (Router) This basic router allows all computers and ethernet-ready devices to share an Internet connection and talk to each other within the house. It supports up to four connections, which will be enough for starters. In the future we'll likely want more than four connections, at which point I expect to also purchase a 4 or 8-port ethernet switch. (Note: Avoid Leviton's ethernet hub...it's less expensive but is a lower quality technology that manages data inefficiently and slows down a home network.) |  |
| 3x6 Bi-Directional Video Module The video module I chose can accomodate outside video service from cable or satellite providers. It can also support two internal video sources, such as a security camera or a DVD player. This particular version amplifies each signal before distribution so that video quality doesn't suffer (as can happen the more times video is split). |  |
To make sure everything fits in the media panel that I chose (the SMC-280), I created a PowerPoint document with 1/3 scale representations of the distribution panel and each module. Here is the layout I came up with:
Beyond the modules identified above, my diagram also includes an AC power module (also from Leviton) and a DSL modem (provided by our telephone company).
The PowerPoint file also includes some of the other common modules to test other combinations. If you find it useful, you're welcome to download it: click here.
Finding the Best Deal
Costs for modules can vary widely. The good news is that I was always able to save at least 30% off the retail price by shopping around. I got the Internet gateway at Home Depot and the other two modules on eBay.
So, now the panel is in place. Next, I'll begin connecting the cables...
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Comments
Honestly, I would avoid Levitron's router, as well. From the structure of the unit, it looks like it's manufactured by OvisLink. OvisLink switches and routers are famous for two things: Overheating, and crashing managed commerical gateways. Neither are particularily good.
(By the way, as a little relevance, I worked in IT for three years on the tail-end of the dot-com-bomb, and I've got more experience making cheap hardware work in ways it was never designed than I want to think about at this hour.)
I would reccomend that you look at a D-link router to go from your cable/DSL modem into your network. D-Link equipment has never done me wrong, and the routers are inexpensive. They come with mounting brackets (at least the models that my father and I have) and technical support is both good and freely available ... if you even need it.
Posted by: Karl | September 16, 2004 1:43 AM
Woops, too late...I'd already purchased and installed all the modules.
Well, I guess I can provide a first hand account--I'll follow up later and document my experience with Leviton's router after using it for a while.
Posted by: Aaron | September 18, 2004 9:21 AM
You might want to make sure that when you start putting male and female connectors on your Cat5e lines that you connect the colored wires in the proper format as the module in your media center. The probably should be configured for a T568A set-up.
Posted by: stefan | September 20, 2004 11:15 AM