Wired vs Wireless? Does anyone use wired anymore?

Does anyone use wired anymore? I’m opening a new space and installing the IT infrastructure now, but am thinking I may be overdoing the CAT5e ports. Planning on about 30-35 ports for a 3,200 sq ft building. I’ll have a couple of business class APs and am thinking I should have wired ports as an option for IP phones and other heavy users of data.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

Bob

We have a mix of ethernet and wireless, though it’s a fairly small % (probably 10 or 15 out of 100+ active people each day) who actually use the hard lines.

The cases where a hard line makes the most sense are:

  • people who do work that requires low-latency, like a lot of screensharing or remote access to computers

  • places where people are meeting with others virtually. Conference rooms hard lines get used often, and our phone booths have hard lines run to them to keep Skype calls strong.

  • Some computers just have shitty wifi hardware/software in them. Statistically, if we have an issue with someone connecting to our wifi, it’s a PC. Or in some rare cases, old computers that have NO wifi hardware. Yeah, blew me away too.

  • As we got bigger, we started having more complex issues with wifi and some of our full time members started strategically moving to be closer to hard lines. Since upgrading to the Unifi access points in the thread I posted to yesterday, those problems appear to be all gone (knock on wood) but I was glad to have some hardline options.

  • And as you said, specialized hardware. VOIP, Networked Backup devices, etc. We generally suggest that people keep that hardware in our rack, rather than plugging into a “local" drop. Keeps things tidier and easier to diagnose issues.

One thing that’s always difficult is that, like our power, our ethernet ports are along walls. This can be a bit of a restriction when it comes to creating optimal layouts for the workspace itself (something I think I need to write about soon). I haven’t been to many coworking spaces that have really done a great job of solving the “spaghetti of power and cables between the wall and the desks” problem. There’s covers and other clever ways of hiding it, but I haven’t found a solution that works really well for us yet.

If I were to do it all again, I’d be far more strategic about WHERE we run ethernet to, and overall, run less direct runs back to the rack. Instead, I’d take more of a node-based approach, adding new switches to areas where connectivity is needed and makes sense…but can also be moved. That flexibility/modularity pays off far more than having X more drops!

-Alex

···

The #1 mistake in community building is doing it by yourself.

Join the list: http://coworkingweekly.com

Listen to the podcast: http://listen.coworkingweekly.com

On Wed, Jan 7, 2015 at 11:24 AM, CoWork Factory - New Braunfels, TX [email protected] wrote:

Does anyone use wired anymore? I’m opening a new space and installing the IT infrastructure now, but am thinking I may be overdoing the CAT5e ports. Planning on about 30-35 ports for a 3,200 sq ft building. I’ll have a couple of business class APs and am thinking I should have wired ports as an option for IP phones and other heavy users of data.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

Bob

www.coworkfactorynb.com

Visit this forum on the web at http://discuss.coworking.com


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We install floor jacks in certain areas where we know desks will be an island (not next to a wall).
Floor cable covers are another option that’s much cheaper, but has the drawback of not aesthetic, and possible trip hazards.

I do want to address a couple of items so everyone’s on the same page:

In typical construction budgets, whether from the GC &/or the landlord, cabling is typically NOT included. This can seem counterintuitive b/c they are often more or less permanently inside the walls

In my opinion, it’s best to cable to your ideal desk layout, whether that’s for maximum efficiency &/or for “nodes”, as Alex mentioned below. Clustering desks/cubicles especially with built-in cable trays would help achieve these “nodes” areas. One node would be: jack - router - cluster of desks.

In other words, I recommend ALWAYS cabling, and cabling to 100% everywhere, as you’ll likely be able or want to cable after the fact.
JEROME CHANG

WEST: Santa Monica
1450 2nd Street (@Broadway) | Santa Monica CA 90401
ph: (310) 526-2255

CENTRAL: Mid-Wilshire
5405 Wilshire Blvd (2 blocks west of La Brea) | Los Angeles CA 90036
ph: (323) 330-9505

EAST: Downtown
529 S. Broadway, Suite 4000 (@Pershing Square) | Los Angeles CA 90013
ph: (213) 550-2235




···

On Jan 7, 2015, at 8:45 AM, Alex Hillman [email protected] wrote:

We have a mix of ethernet and wireless, though it’s a fairly small % (probably 10 or 15 out of 100+ active people each day) who actually use the hard lines.

The cases where a hard line makes the most sense are:

  • people who do work that requires low-latency, like a lot of screensharing or remote access to computers
  • places where people are meeting with others virtually. Conference rooms hard lines get used often, and our phone booths have hard lines run to them to keep Skype calls strong.
  • Some computers just have shitty wifi hardware/software in them. Statistically, if we have an issue with someone connecting to our wifi, it’s a PC. Or in some rare cases, old computers that have NO wifi hardware. Yeah, blew me away too.
  • As we got bigger, we started having more complex issues with wifi and some of our full time members started strategically moving to be closer to hard lines. Since upgrading to the Unifi access points in the thread I posted to yesterday, those problems appear to be all gone (knock on wood) but I was glad to have some hardline options.
  • And as you said, specialized hardware. VOIP, Networked Backup devices, etc. We generally suggest that people keep that hardware in our rack, rather than plugging into a “local" drop. Keeps things tidier and easier to diagnose issues.

One thing that’s always difficult is that, like our power, our ethernet ports are along walls. This can be a bit of a restriction when it comes to creating optimal layouts for the workspace itself (something I think I need to write about soon). I haven’t been to many coworking spaces that have really done a great job of solving the “spaghetti of power and cables between the wall and the desks” problem. There’s covers and other clever ways of hiding it, but I haven’t found a solution that works really well for us yet.

If I were to do it all again, I’d be far more strategic about WHERE we run ethernet to, and overall, run less direct runs back to the rack. Instead, I’d take more of a node-based approach, adding new switches to areas where connectivity is needed and makes sense…but can also be moved. That flexibility/modularity pays off far more than having X more drops!

-Alex


The #1 mistake in community building is doing it by yourself.

Join the list: http://coworkingweekly.com

Listen to the podcast: http://listen.coworkingweekly.com

On Wed, Jan 7, 2015 at 11:24 AM, CoWork Factory - New Braunfels, TX [email protected] wrote:

Does anyone use wired anymore? I’m opening a new space and installing the IT infrastructure now, but am thinking I may be overdoing the CAT5e ports. Planning on about 30-35 ports for a 3,200 sq ft building. I’ll have a couple of business class APs and am thinking I should have wired ports as an option for IP phones and other heavy users of data.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

Bob

www.coworkfactorynb.com

Visit this forum on the web at http://discuss.coworking.com


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Wired is still important. I always use the hardline if it’s available because the speeds are better. Wifi is always slow in comparison.

···

On Tue, Jan 6, 2015 at 2:13 PM, CoWork Factory - New Braunfels, TX [email protected] wrote:

Does anyone use wired anymore? I’m opening a new space and installing the IT infrastructure now, but am thinking I may be overdoing the CAT5e ports. Planning on about 30-35 ports for a 3,200 sq ft building. I’ll have a couple of business class APs and am thinking I should have wired ports as an option for IP phones and other heavy users of data.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

Bob

www.coworkfactorynb.com

Visit this forum on the web at http://discuss.coworking.com


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Aaron Cruikshank
Principal, CRUIKSHANK

phone: 778.908.4560

e-mail: [email protected]

web: cruikshank.me

twitter: @cruikshank

book a meeting: doodle.com/cruikshank

linkedin: in/cruikshank

You will also get a lot more milage from your wifi setup with a number of users plugged in. It’s nice to always have the option. Every desk has the option for a hard wire or wireless. We just have one wire going to a number of pods and a switch under the tables. So you don’t have to go super crazy with the wiring.

···

On Wed, Jan 7, 2015 at 9:53 AM, Aaron Cruikshank [email protected] wrote:

Wired is still important. I always use the hardline if it’s available because the speeds are better. Wifi is always slow in comparison.

Visit this forum on the web at http://discuss.coworking.com


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Aaron Cruikshank
Principal, CRUIKSHANK

phone: 778.908.4560

e-mail: [email protected]

web: cruikshank.me

twitter: @cruikshank

book a meeting: doodle.com/cruikshank

linkedin: in/cruikshank

On Tue, Jan 6, 2015 at 2:13 PM, CoWork Factory - New Braunfels, TX [email protected] wrote:

Does anyone use wired anymore? I’m opening a new space and installing the IT infrastructure now, but am thinking I may be overdoing the CAT5e ports. Planning on about 30-35 ports for a 3,200 sq ft building. I’ll have a couple of business class APs and am thinking I should have wired ports as an option for IP phones and other heavy users of data.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

Bob

www.coworkfactorynb.com

Visit this forum on the web at http://discuss.coworking.com


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When we moved into our space it was already outfitted with dataports in every corner and along the walls. So we have kept them live. We have an assortment of cables available as everyone forgets them. Particularly in the back room, where there are sone dead spots for reasons we can’t quite work out, they get heavy use.

Their mere presence is for some people very important.

We find that a fair number of people prefer cable.

···

On Tuesday, January 6, 2015 11:13:34 PM UTC+1, CoWork Factory - New Braunfels, TX wrote:

Does anyone use wired anymore? I’m opening a new space and installing the IT infrastructure now, but am thinking I may be overdoing the CAT5e ports. Planning on about 30-35 ports for a 3,200 sq ft building. I’ll have a couple of business class APs and am thinking I should have wired ports as an option for IP phones and other heavy users of data.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

Bob

www.coworkfactorynb.com

I agree with all of the above.

Having a backup network is good for your brand, too, even if your main provider goes down for 1 minute per every 6 months, it's a relief to know there is a backup. And if one network blocks someone, the backup often has different settings that work for them.

For wired, I have jacks along the wall, and hubs on some desks. Keeping the cords orderly can be solved by keeping the cords extended towards each seat.

To get the ethernet to the hubs from the wall, you can use gaff tape or buy a cover.

I keep an ethernet cord accessible in each conference room to give people the option.

Power cords are very similar in terms of accessibility with floor routing and hubs. I love the 'hub-and-spoke' model for many things.

Alex Linsker, Collective Agency, Portland Oregon (sent from my phone)

I do want to make people aware of asynchronous bandwidth like 50 download / 10 upload.

Connectivity can be much less reliable in the days of dropbox and other vid/file uploads.

This is the reason why 50/50 is much more $$ than 50/10.
JEROME CHANG

WEST: Santa Monica
1450 2nd Street (@Broadway) | Santa Monica CA 90401
ph: (310) 526-2255

CENTRAL: Mid-Wilshire
5405 Wilshire Blvd (2 blocks west of La Brea) | Los Angeles CA 90036
ph: (323) 330-9505

EAST: Downtown
529 S. Broadway, Suite 4000 (@Pershing Square) | Los Angeles CA 90013
ph: (213) 550-2235




···

On Thu, Jan 8, 2015 at 1:59 AM, Alex Linsker [email protected] wrote:

I agree with all of the above.

Having a backup network is good for your brand, too, even if your main provider goes down for 1 minute per every 6 months, it’s a relief to know there is a backup. And if one network blocks someone, the backup often has different settings that work for them.

For wired, I have jacks along the wall, and hubs on some desks. Keeping the cords orderly can be solved by keeping the cords extended towards each seat.

To get the ethernet to the hubs from the wall, you can use gaff tape or buy a cover.

I keep an ethernet cord accessible in each conference room to give people the option.

Power cords are very similar in terms of accessibility with floor routing and hubs. I love the ‘hub-and-spoke’ model for many things.

Alex Linsker, Collective Agency, Portland Oregon (sent from my phone)

Visit this forum on the web at http://discuss.coworking.com


You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups “Coworking” group.

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At the HiVE, we have a 100/100 Fibre connection. We upgraded to that from ADSL and the main reason why was the poor upload speed we were getting before (5 mb/s up max). When we’d get 2-3 people trying to make Skype or Google Hangout video calls, the whole network would brown out due to the upload bandwidth getting loaded down.

Once we moved to a 100/100 account, we had no more problems but the up speed over wired was easily double that of the wireless connection.

  • Aaron

···

On Thu, Jan 8, 2015 at 1:59 AM, Alex Linsker [email protected] wrote:

I agree with all of the above.

Having a backup network is good for your brand, too, even if your main provider goes down for 1 minute per every 6 months, it’s a relief to know there is a backup. And if one network blocks someone, the backup often has different settings that work for them.

For wired, I have jacks along the wall, and hubs on some desks. Keeping the cords orderly can be solved by keeping the cords extended towards each seat.

To get the ethernet to the hubs from the wall, you can use gaff tape or buy a cover.

I keep an ethernet cord accessible in each conference room to give people the option.

Power cords are very similar in terms of accessibility with floor routing and hubs. I love the ‘hub-and-spoke’ model for many things.

Alex Linsker, Collective Agency, Portland Oregon (sent from my phone)

Visit this forum on the web at http://discuss.coworking.com


You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups “Coworking” group.

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Ouch. ADSL. Shudders.

:slight_smile:

Bandwidth and coffee beans - the two things that coworking spaces should pay for the best you can afford to provide.

-Alex

···

On Thu, Jan 8, 2015 at 1:59 AM, Alex Linsker [email protected] wrote:

I agree with all of the above.

Having a backup network is good for your brand, too, even if your main provider goes down for 1 minute per every 6 months, it’s a relief to know there is a backup. And if one network blocks someone, the backup often has different settings that work for them.

For wired, I have jacks along the wall, and hubs on some desks. Keeping the cords orderly can be solved by keeping the cords extended towards each seat.

To get the ethernet to the hubs from the wall, you can use gaff tape or buy a cover.

I keep an ethernet cord accessible in each conference room to give people the option.

Power cords are very similar in terms of accessibility with floor routing and hubs. I love the ‘hub-and-spoke’ model for many things.

Alex Linsker, Collective Agency, Portland Oregon (sent from my phone)

Visit this forum on the web at http://discuss.coworking.com


You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups “Coworking” group.

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected].

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Bandwidth and coffee beans - the two things that coworking spaces should pay for the best you can afford to provide.

Now there’s a quote destined for the wiki.

···

On Thu, Jan 8, 2015 at 2:10 PM, Alex Hillman [email protected] wrote:

Ouch. ADSL. Shudders.

:slight_smile:

Bandwidth and coffee beans - the two things that coworking spaces should pay for the best you can afford to provide.

-Alex


The #1 mistake in community building is doing it by yourself.

Join the list: http://coworkingweekly.com

Listen to the podcast: http://listen.coworkingweekly.com

On Thu, Jan 8, 2015 at 2:02 PM, Aaron Cruikshank [email protected] wrote:

At the HiVE, we have a 100/100 Fibre connection. We upgraded to that from ADSL and the main reason why was the poor upload speed we were getting before (5 mb/s up max). When we’d get 2-3 people trying to make Skype or Google Hangout video calls, the whole network would brown out due to the upload bandwidth getting loaded down.

Once we moved to a 100/100 account, we had no more problems but the up speed over wired was easily double that of the wireless connection.

  • Aaron

Aaron Cruikshank

Principal, CRUIKSHANK

Phone: 778.908.4560

email: [email protected]

web: cruikshank.me

twitter: @cruikshank

book a meeting: doodle.com/cruikshank

linkedin: linkedin.com/in/cruikshank

On Jan 8, 2015 10:42 AM, “Jerome Chang” [email protected] wrote:

I do want to make people aware of asynchronous bandwidth like 50 download / 10 upload.
Connectivity can be much less reliable in the days of dropbox and other vid/file uploads.

This is the reason why 50/50 is much more $$ than 50/10.

JEROME CHANG

WEST: Santa Monica
1450 2nd Street (@Broadway) | Santa Monica CA 90401
ph: (310) 526-2255

CENTRAL: Mid-Wilshire
5405 Wilshire Blvd (2 blocks west of La Brea) | Los Angeles CA 90036
ph: (323) 330-9505

EAST: Downtown
529 S. Broadway, Suite 4000 (@Pershing Square) | Los Angeles CA 90013
ph: (213) 550-2235


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On Jan 8, 2015, at 8:42 AM, Mike Pihlman [email protected] wrote:

I did a quick test of wired vs wireless speeds at AltamontCowork. Interesting results…

http://techymike.com/2014/07/18/internet-speed-testing/

Mike

Visit this forum on the web at http://discuss.coworking.com


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Glen Ferguson

Cowork Frederick

122 E Patrick St

Frederick, MD 21701-5630

+1 (301) 732-5165

www.coworkfrederick.com

@CoworkFrederick

On Thu, Jan 8, 2015 at 1:59 AM, Alex Linsker [email protected] wrote:

I agree with all of the above.

Having a backup network is good for your brand, too, even if your main provider goes down for 1 minute per every 6 months, it’s a relief to know there is a backup. And if one network blocks someone, the backup often has different settings that work for them.

For wired, I have jacks along the wall, and hubs on some desks. Keeping the cords orderly can be solved by keeping the cords extended towards each seat.

To get the ethernet to the hubs from the wall, you can use gaff tape or buy a cover.

I keep an ethernet cord accessible in each conference room to give people the option.

Power cords are very similar in terms of accessibility with floor routing and hubs. I love the ‘hub-and-spoke’ model for many things.

Alex Linsker, Collective Agency, Portland Oregon (sent from my phone)

Visit this forum on the web at http://discuss.coworking.com


You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups “Coworking” group.

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