@snafu1 I think you're trying to indicate something like the following:
modem -> switch - port 1 -> computer
- port 2 -> printer
- port 3 -> device
- port 4 -> device
- port 5 -> switch - port 1 -> PS4
- port 2 -> TV
- port 3 -> Ignite TV Xi6-A or Xi6-T set top box
- port 4 -> device
- port 5 -> device
Cascading switches should work without any problems, and, Cat 6a should be more than adequate to run from switch to switch. Installing your own cable ends? just curious......
Just to point out, 802.3bz is the spec for higher transmission rates over ethernet, specifically 2.5, 5 and 10 Gb/s. That changes the waveform and data encoding to allow higher transmission rates over existing Cat 5e, 6 and 6a cable. Here's a Wikipedia reference;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2.5GBASE-T_and_5GBASE-T
So, multi-gig switches are now out on the market. Their not cheap, in comparison to unmanaged gigabit switches which you can buy for 25$ or so, but, for those locations that have long cable runs, or the potential to run at higher data rates, multi-gig switches might offer a solution. Here's an example:
https://www.amazon.ca/Gigabit-UnManaged-Multi-Gig-Switch-XGS1010-12-ZZ0101F/dp/B084MLC83G
That's a compromise, with two 2.5 Gb/s ports and two 10 gigabit SFP+ ports for fibre. The remaining ports are gigabit ports. So, it would be possible to use the 2.5 or 10 Gb/s ports to run switch to switch, and use the gigabit ports for local devices.
Fwiw, 2.5 Gb/s ports are now appearing on motherboards and some routers.
@snafu1 35 feet won't be an issue. If you happen to have Cat 6a cable on hand, I'd say, yup, go ahead. That will future proof that path, at least for the foreseeable future. Going beyond that would call for Cat 8 cable or fibre.
If you're going to go, wallplate to wallplate, you'll need to install Cat 6 keystones. They look like the following:
https://www.google.com/search?channel=fs&client=ubuntu&q=cat+6+keystone
Note that some keystones don't need a punch down tool to punch the wires down into the brackets. They have a top cover that forces the the cables down into the brackets. For the typical keystones, you'll need a 110 punch down tool to punch down the wires and cut the external excess wires off of the keystone. That tool looks like this:
There are a couple ends on the blade, one for punching down wires onto a keystone, which has a cutter on one side and one side for punching down wires onto a telephone 66 block. Normally you use the blade with the cutter for the keystone. Note to self, the blade is very sharp .... the voice of experience. Make sure that when you punch down the wires, that the keystone can't slip. The blade side goes on the outside of the keystone and when you punch down the wires, you'll hear a snap as the wire hits the bottom of the individual brackets and the excess wire is cut off.
Also note that the keystones have colour codes, marked as A and B. Those are for the 568A and 568B standards. Those denote the wire color to keystone pin placement. Use the same standard at both ends. Here's some youtube videos on keystones:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=keystone+ethernet+jack+wiring
Once that is done, its worth testing the cable with an ethernet tester, just to make sure that the ethernet wires are seated properly within the keystone. A Sperry ethernet tester is useful for checking the cable. That will confirm that the cable is serviceable, end to end and it can save you hours of troubleshooting if one or more of the wires don't punch down properly:
You could also go to RJ-45 connectors instead, if you so choose. Here's some crimping tools for that:
I already have one of these, sort of looks like this, not quite, but, close:
I've found that it works well for Cat 5e, but, not for Cat 6. Maybe newer crimpers of that style work better on Cat 6, don't know. So, next on my list to acquire is one of these:
That uses pass thru connectors, which is to say that the individual wires pass thru the connector when you're getting the connector ready for crimping. The excess wire length is cut off when you crimp the connector. That pass thru connector is different than the traditional connector. The traditional connector has a definite end to it, so you have to insert the individual wires into the connector, all in the right order, at the same time and ensure that all of the wires reach the end of the individual slots so that the crimping can be effective. That can be a pain, to say the least.
So, maybe the passthru connector is easier to use for Cat 6 cables, don't know, but, I'm going to find out one of these days. There is a video link in the photo selection for that last link.
Note that you will also need to buy the correct passthru connector for the tool For a Cat 6/6a cable, and the Klein tool, those connectors would be:
The connectors would have to accommodate the specific wire diameter for Cat 5, 6 or 6a, depending on what ethernet cable type you're using.
Once again, after the crimping is complete, test the cable end to end to ensure that the wires are properly crimped and installed in the correct order.
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