이더넷 케이블을 라우터에 연결하고 깔끔하게 유지하는 방법

While Wi-Fi is great, you can always get a faster and more stable internet connection by running Ethernet cables. Whether you want to move your router to the center of your home to maximize signal strength, set up wired backhaul for a mesh system, or run a cable to an EV charger, wired is better. But no one wants messy cable runs. Follow this guide, and I’ll show you how to choose cables, plan your route, and hide everything to make it nice and neat. If you can’t run cables, we also have ideas on how to make your Wi-Fi faster, how to fix your Wi-Fi, and guides to the Best Mesh Routers, Best Wi-Fi Routers, and Best Wi-Fi Extenders. A Word on Speed Remember, bandwidth and speed are always limited by your incoming internet connection. If you have a 1-Gbps connection, you won’t be able to exceed that speed when interacting with the internet. That said, you may be able to move files across your network from one device to another faster by using higher-rated gear. But everything must be rated at the same speed. You will be limited by the weakest (slowest) link, whether that’s the Ethernet port on your router, the cable, the Ethernet switch it plugs into, or the port on your PC or other device. Choosing Ethernet Cables You can get good Ethernet cables without spending much money. I go into more detail in my Ethernet guide, but there are a few things to look out for. Category: Ethernet cables come in various categories that determine the maximum bandwidth and data rates. While most homes can probably get by with Cat 5e or Cat 6 cables, which enable speeds up to 1 Gbps, I would opt for Cat 6a or Cat 7, which can go up to 10 Gbps, for your main runs, such as from the router to your switch. The price difference isn’t huge, and the faster cables will still serve if your needs increase in the future. Cat 7a or Cat 8 cables, capable of 40 Gbps, are overkill for the average home, and usually far more expensive. Shielding: Most Ethernet cables have pairs of wires twisted together with a plastic covering (Unshielded Twisted Pair, or UTP), but some cables have metallic or foil shielding (STP or FTP, which stand for Shielded Twisted Pair or Foiled Twisted Pair). You only really need to worry about shielding if you are running cable next to power lines or other sources of interference. Shielded cables are less flexible and easier to damage, so most folks running cables at home may prefer to stick with UTP. Cable Shape: I recommend avoiding flat cables as they are more prone to interference and seem to get damaged more easily. Anecdotally, I have had more issues with flat cables than regular cables, but it’s important to avoid sharp kinks or heavy footfall on any cable. Manufacturer: Choose a recognized brand, but don’t spend too much. I’ve had good experiences with Cable Matters, Monoprice, and Amazon Basics. Here is a patch cable to consider: Do You Need an Ethernet Switch? Routers and mesh systems have a limited number of Ethernet ports, but you can use an Ethernet switch to turn one port into many. Figure out how many ports you need to run cables to the spots where you want them. Unmanaged plug-and-play switches (no configuration necessary) are usually sufficient for home networks. Most folks will get by with a five- or eight-port extension, but I’d suggest getting a switch with one or more spare ports than you currently need, in case you want to add more cables in the future. You can get much larger switches with 12 or even 24 ports if you require. But the available bandwidth will be divided between these ports. If you want to prioritize ports, set security conditions, or dig into other configuration settings, you will require a managed switch. Planning Ethernet Cable Runs Before you start, plan your cable run carefully. Whether you are running one cable or many, there are a few things to avoid: - Avoid bends wherever possible, because sharp kinks or twists can damage cables. - Avoid high-traffic areas, as people standing on cables or anything running over them will damage them over time. - Avoid electrical interference. This is unlikely to be a big problem, but try to keep them away from power cables. Whatever route you take, it’s worth snagging cable management to keep things tidy. Cable ties are ideal for keeping multiple cables bound together and making them easier to manage. You probably have a bunch already, but you can buy a pack of 60 ($7) reusable ones cheaply. Cable sleeves are even better, since they provide a mesh cover for bundles of cables, making it easy to remove or add cables. Label Your Cables If you have more than one cable, make sure that you label them. This can save you a lot of trouble later. Picking a different color for your Ethernet cables (or at least not black, white, or gray) can help you to immediately tell them apart from other cable types, especially handy if you’re installing them behind walls or under floors. How to Hide Ethernet Cables There are several ways to hide Ethernet cables, and s