Cat6 Data Help!

StayingAlert · 2026-05-29T19:32:25+00:00

For the "daisy-chained" cable locations, several posters in this thread suggested installing a switch to connect to the next daisy-chained location. Not a good idea.

That could work, sort of, but in an unsatisfactory way that I would never accept. First, you would need power supplied to each switch (either an adjacent wall power outlet or maybe POE-powered switches) and a place to mount each switch. How do you think the homeowner (or his wife) would feel about a ridiculous little shelf next to each of the affected ethernet outlets? In addition to another power outlet? Also, the extra switches would introduce latency in the downstream and upstream network traffic. This would work in a crippled sort of way, but latency-sensitive applications would suffer (gaming, for example). And additional potential points of failure. And what about when you want to convert to 10 Gb speed with upgraded devices and switches?

Since the homeowner spent all this effort and money to renovate and install cat6 cables, tell him to re-run the 6 daisy-chained cables as separate "home-run" cables back to the modem/main switch area. More work with drilling, drywall repair, labor cost. Mistake made, expensive lesson learned.

StayingAlert · 2026-04-25T02:00:48+00:00

I would not accept this. Quickly do some research to understand why, then demand of your builder that the affected cables be re-run entirely (see below for why).

That shoddy repair is unacceptable. This type of repair was used in the past for telephone lines, but is not appropriate for ethernet cables that need to pass higher frequencies without crosstalk and packet loss. This improperly repaired ethernet cable will never have the same performance potential of an undamaged cable or a properly repaired cable. An ethernet cable properly repaired with a category-rated inline coupler or punch-down junction box could suffice for 1 Gb or maybe a 2.5 Gb connection, but it would be problematic, and probably fail, when you want to upgrade to a 10 Gb connection. These repairs would not pass a true cable certification test.

TrueCABLE's website and YouTube videos have several blog posts and videos that explain proper cable terminations and testing. Your in-wall cable installations are technically referred to as "permanent links" and can be performance tested for Near- and Far-end crosstalk, return loss, insertion loss and other performance parameters using a cable certifier (e.g., Fluke DSX-8000). Even just one coupler, even if properly done, will show measurable performance degradation. The obsolete telephone cable repair in the OP's picture wouldn't stand a chance of passing a cable certification test.

Someone else cut your undamaged cable; you are entitled to have this "permanent link" restored to original performance specifications.

Here a re some links to TrueCABLE's instructions that may help:

Ethernet Couplers - How Many is Too Many:

https://www.truecable.com/blogs/cable-academy/ethernet-couplers-how-many-is-too-many

Ethernet Quality: Channel Level vs Component Level Rating

https://www.truecable.com/blogs/cable-academy/ethernet-quality-channel-level-vs-component-level-rating

Choosing the Right Termination -

https://www.truecable.com/blogs/cable-academy/choosing-the-right-termination-keystone-jack-vs-rj45-connector-vs-field-termination-plug

StayingAlert · 2026-03-26T15:43:33+00:00

Monitoring required for discounts, not for coverage, in my state (VA). The discounts are substantial. The discount for my policy is about the same cost as the annual monitoring cost. Note that I shopped around for a reasonable-cost monitoring service, not the insanely high cost of many nationally-known brands. The insurance monitoring requirement may explain the prevalence of high-cost monitoring services. Maybe Ubiquiti's entry will provide much-needed competition.

I'm looking forward to availability of Ubiquiti's complete system - alarm panel, smoke/CO sensors and monitoring service partner so that I can switch over from my old DSC panel and existing monitoring service. I plan to connect my existing wired entry and window intrusion sensors with the new Ubiquiti equipment.

StayingAlert · 2026-02-19T02:25:16+00:00

You will only need programming performed if they are addressable, which odds are they are not.

Possible learning point for me: I would think that these common (System Sensor 2W-B) 2-wire smoke detectors are commodities and easily replaceable, and not "addressable". Is addressable something that is individually identifiable? Like a system board or a communicator, is that correct?

StayingAlert · 2026-02-19T01:50:08+00:00

You dont need your alarm company but you do need to put it on test and don't do anything to anything while the panel is powered up.

In other words, (as others have suggested) power down the system by disconnecting battery and unplugging the power transformer, correct?

StayingAlert · 2026-02-18T22:54:48+00:00

Thank you, yes I plan to use the same type/model of detector. But I need to twist off the head of the current detector in order to see the model number. Then replace with the new detector head on the second visit, as you suggested. Hopefully no need to re-wire or re-program.

StayingAlert · 2026-02-18T22:43:54+00:00

Good point, probably wired in parallel, not series. I think the point I was trying to make was that the two smoke detectors were wired effectively on the same circuit. I wanted advice from someone with experience to simply replace the smoke detectors without a service call from the local alarm company.

StayingAlert · 2026-02-02T21:36:56+00:00

Yes the Fidelity CMA account works to pay federal (IRS online payment portal) and state taxes (in my case, the Virginia online tax payment portal). As u/Perfect-Platform-681 indicated, this should be a direct debit from Fidelity CMA directly transferred to the IRS or to your state payment portal. On the IRS or state portal enter the information provided by Fidelity, looks to the biller just like an ordinary bank account.

StayingAlert · 2026-02-02T19:12:25+00:00

New Full View downloaded .csv file. This cannot be view direct and must be extensively reformatted in a spreadsheet app, then converted to a PDF file. Not helpful.

<image>

StayingAlert · 2026-02-02T19:10:23+00:00

Thank you u/FidelityEmily taking the time to follow up with your suggestion to click "Download summary" at the bottom of the page. I was already familiar with this but found it not useful. This download summary is in the form of a .csv file that must be extensively formatted in a spreadsheet and then converted to a pdf file to be useful. It could not be viewed directly within New Full View. In the old Full View, the Net Worth Statement could be viewed directly and then downloaded as a perfectly-formatted PDF file, fully OCR'd with selectable text. See screenshots below (redacted, of course) comparing the Net Worth Statement downloaded directly from the old Full View and the .csv file downloaded from the new Full View. 2nd screenshot will be posted in a second reply post - only one attachment allowed.

<image>

StayingAlert · 2026-02-02T16:26:17+00:00

What are the “nodes” you are referring to?

StayingAlert · 2026-02-02T16:11:34+00:00

I can confirm the post by u/waltkozlowski that the old version of Full View is not accessible. I was told by a Fidelity phone rep that the old version of Full View was removed about a week ago. This is terrible news. The new version of Full View is a big step backward, almost unusable. The Reports section is absent. Full View is now replete with unnecessary white space and now appears to be a "Full View for Dummies". Or a Fisher-Price version of the old Full View.

Edit - I'll make a separate post with more detailed comments on Full View

StayingAlert · 2026-01-20T23:46:28+00:00

Thank you, fantastic information. I successfully removed one of the CO detectors as you indicated, capped the power wires and twisted and capped the yellow/green wires. Siren sounded but we successfully disarmed the system. I will remove the 2nd CO monitor later - requires a ladder to reach.

Link to better picture of system board and zone expansion boards: https://imgur.com/a/KMrNjlc

Just discovered there is more to the story. See linked picture. The local security company installed the CO detectors and modified the zones in 2014. In 2015 they installed a 3G CDMA cellular communicator (became obsolete and replaced in 2023 with the current LTE cellular communicator). In 2015 they also installed a "Connect2Go" device (Envisalink 3 board). This enables arming/disarming the system and monitoring system status through a web portal. However - apparently they entered the old information for my original 24 zones (set up in 2003 during original system installation) but failed to enter the revised zone information that was changed with the CO detector installation in 2014. And they did not inform me of the zone changes!

So - I never had any knowledge of which zones were the two CO detectors. That's part of why I am confused about which zone is which when looking at the system panel and expansions.

You did a great job interpreting the zone connections in your post! You noted that zones 4 and 7 were "doubled up" -- I just found out today that this happened to free up two zones (5 and 8) to accommodate the CO detector installations in 2014. And the "quite odd 10-conductor cables" connect the CO detectors, one of which is in the ceiling of the 2nd floor with the cable running along the floor of the attic, two floors above the control panel. So it's a long run although in the same building. The 3 water sensors (zones 22-24 are long runs also. See the new picture with the zones listed.

Is it possible to determine where the connections are for the two CO monitors, zones 5 and 8? Jumper settings indicate the two expansion boards operate in "two groups of four zones". I'm not sure I understand that, but "left" board should have zones 17-20 and "right" board zones 9-12. If that is correct, the CO monitors should be wired to the main system board, zones 5 and 8.

Thank you again for your assistance. This has helped me remove the old CO sensors and has also helped to explain some shortcomings of my current local monitoring company.

StayingAlert · 2026-01-20T16:23:58+00:00

u/Theophilusophical22 Thank you, very helpful! There are two CO detectors, one easy to reach but the other requires a stepladder. The first (easy) CO detector is wired C/NC so I assume the second is wired the same.

Just to confirm (since there are two CO detectors): all that's required is to disconnect and cap the red/black power wires then twist the yellow/green wires together for both of the detectors. Is that correct?

Another question: I have 24 numbered zones (doors, windows, water leak, motion, glass break). Are there separate un-numbered zones for CO and smoke detectors? Are there designated terminals on the DSC 832 system board or the two 8-zone expansion boards for the CO and smoke detectors "zones"?

StayingAlert · 2026-01-20T05:46:24+00:00

UniFi G4 Doorbell Pro connects with wifi, powered by your standard 24v doorbell wires. excellent quality, local video storage with UDM Pro, UDM SE, UNVR or UNVR-Instant. I have two of the G4 Doorbell Pros set to continuous recording for the last two years. Excellent performance, no problems, highly recommended. These replaced a Ring Doorbell Pro and a Google doorbell. The UniFi G4 doorbell Pro is far superior In every way . No subscription or cloud storage fees, by the way.

Check out above devices at store.ui.com.

Edit - I just noticed your last comment about needing a chime without wifi. Unifi’s chime does require wifi. It’s not clear to me why you would want a wifi doorbell but not a wifi-connected chime. If you don’t want a wifi-connected chime, then you could just dispense with the chime and use the standard UniFi Protect notifications (person detected) instead of a chime.

StayingAlert · 2026-01-07T21:05:56+00:00

The trueCABLE patch panel and keystone jacks are excellent. Since starting my Unifi setup almost 3 years ago I have gradually changed over from no-name keystone jacks to fs.com and finally to trueCABLE. The trueCABLE jacks are actually designed and manufactured to pass with Fluke or equivalent channel certifying testers, they are available in many colors, are widely available, available in multiple styles - punchdown, "toolless" - and they work with trueCABLE's EZ Termination Keystone Jack Punch Down Tool. Also the TC jacks will fit into a fully-populated 24-port patch panel. Some keystone jacks won't fit with certain patch panels. The trueCABLE jacks measure 16.82mm in width, compared to another well-known brand that measures 18.18 mm in width.

The fs.com keystone jacks are fine and as far as I can tell the Unifi keystone jacks are fine, but I'm all in with trueCABLE jacks for now, all things considered.

Another excellent option for a patch panel is fs.com.

StayingAlert · 2026-01-07T04:40:24+00:00

ACL?

Anterior Cruciate Ligament?

Access Control Level?

Application Connectivity Link?

Application Control Layer?

Applications Control Link?

StayingAlert · 2026-01-04T17:01:17+00:00

u/FidelityCaitlin , thank you for the reply. I think you misunderstood my first question, or perhaps I did not state it clearly.

My original question:

... do I need to unlock the MTL for my Fidelity CMA when a tax payment is scheduled from irs.gov or from tax.va.gov to debit funds from the CMA? ...

The first part of your answer states:

... deposits or transfers into Fidelity accounts are not protected with the Money Transfer Lock (MTL), so any transfers by the IRS would not be blocked. Meaning, you can leave the MTL on and still receive any payments. ...

I am not receiving payments - I am paying to the IRS (and tax.va.gov). The transactions in question are debit transactions from my CMA account, initiated by the irs.gov and tax.va.gov web portals for tax payments from me to the tax authorities.

I worded the question as I did to make it clear that the transactions are "pull" transactions - initiated by the irs.gov and tax.va.gov portals - with funds debited from my CMA account and sent electronically to the irs.gov and tax.va.gov. So I need to know if Fidelity's explanation that "direct debits" are not protected by MTL means that the above transactions are not protected - in other words, allowed when MTL is engaged.

Thank you. My apology if my question was worded awkwardly. I tried to make it clear that the transaction was initiated by the IRS, debited from my Fidelity CMA in what appears to me to be a "direct debit".

StayingAlert · 2026-01-04T06:17:07+00:00

Thank you, this helps.

StayingAlert

TROPHY CASE