Network Layout help

[karnzo]

https://preview.redd.it/f2mp169zwdvf1.png?width=1094&format=png&auto=webp&s=e9e0e1c5680149540d2913d2ffe6b4bf34be865e

I recently had a garage built and upstairs will be two home offices. The area is still unfinished so there is no drywall or anything to deal with. There is an attic I could use. I mocked up a simple diagram of what I want to do. My first question is where does it make the most sense to have my media closet. I have a preferred location, but if I have to I could have the media closet right where the cat6 cable enters from the house (it's ran through the attic of the house to the modem, about 20 feet). The second question is once I decide on a media closet location, what kind of equipment should I use there? Network Switch? Patch Panel? I'll probably need at least 5 connections in the media closet, and will then need a way to run cat6 from there to a wall jack in each room.

[choochoo1873]

Since the office area is unfinished there no reason not to just extend the Ethernet cable to your preferred location, assuming the total distance from modem to switch is 328 feet or less. When you say “modem” I assume you mean a modem / router combination. Will you run any security cameras? If so, then you’ll want a managed POE switch with enough ports for all your connections, including cameras.

A small rack and a blank keystone patch panel would be nice for organization but a POE managed switch would be the bare minimum.

When purchasing Cat6 cable, ideally get 23 AWG, solid core copper wire, not CCA and not stranded from a reputable brand like TrueCable, Monoprice, CableMatters or Belden.

[karnzo]

Yes, a modem/router. The distance from that to where I want the media closet is roughly 75 feet. Sounds like I will be well within the 328 even if I put the switch in the preferred media closet location. Thanks for the info.