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Modernizing old house network wiring - Part 13 - Finishing the backboard

The backboard is the center of my home network, where all my home's data cables all my key network equipment come together. A sensibly-organized and managed backboard makes a network far easier to manage and maintain, and gives me room to grow.  Here is how I developed my backboard strategy, and the specifics of how I made it happen.

Backboard Background

Designing a Backboard

Many people dream about using an equipment rack for their network gear, but even a small rack is expensive and inflexible.  So instead of "upgrading" to a rack, my home is now equipped with a completely redesigned network backboard.

A backboard is a sheet of plywood where data cables and key network gear come together.  In my case, I wanted all the Ethernet cables to go into an Ethernet switch.  Then I wanted to mount my primary router and modem and other useful gear at the same location.  Similarly, all the cable TV cables would be distributed from this point.

The building's original backboard was an insect-chewed 8 inch x 16 inch pine board with an indecipherable ball of wiring.  There was no room for a router, a modem, or anything else.  There were dozens of mystery cables.  It was a hopeless case, and a new backboard was the only solution.

The New Backboard 

I removed the old backboard and dealt with the building's wiring. Now all of the building's cables come in from the ceiling above the backboard.   In my case, that includes the CATV, Ethernet, Doorbell power, and some currently idle feeds to the Alarm panel.  Then I installed a new, larger board made of plywood.  Sadly my board is still relatively small (roughly 20 inches wide by 36 inches tall), but it is large enough for everything I need.  

Power comes in at the bottom of the board from a nearby 15 amp outlet.

I mounted the 10-port PoE Ethernet switch on the top right of the board, as that's where the Ethernet cables pop out of the ceiling. This switch services all the lower level rooms and the feed to the attic.  This switch is also used to feed other devices on the backboard.  All 10 ports are now in use, so I'll need to change something if I want to add a new device. 

PoE Ethernet Switch
PoE Ethernet Switch

I put the CATV splitter, a PPC EVO 1/9, at the top left. I chose this location because it is adjacent to where the cables pop out of the ceiling.  The CATV is no longer in use within the building, but I needed a way to manage all the cables just in case they find a future use.  This splitter is my solution for cable management. The splitter is designed to be powered, but since all the RG6 cabling is inactive, I have removed the power adapter

 

PPC EVO1-9-U/U Cable TV Splitter
PPC EVO1-9-U/U Cable TV Splitter

 

HDHomeRun Digital Internet TV Tuner

Mounted HDHomeRun TV Tuner
Wall Mounted HDHomeRun TV Tuner

 

I have an HD Homerun HDTV tuner, the "Connect Duo" version, mounted on the backboard using a zip tie. The Homerun allows me to watch local over-the-air TV on any device in my home.  It is plugged directly into the adjacent Ethernet switch.  A CeKay antenna has been put in the attic, and a previously unused attic RG6 coax feed has been repurposed as the antenna cable for the HDHR.

I thought about locating the HDHR in the attic near the TV antenna, but attic temperatures will sometimes fall outside of its acceptable operational range, which is documented as 0°C to +40°C

Alarm Keypad

There is an alarm system keypad mounted on the backboard.  I haven't bothered to connect it and will remove it at a later date.

Apple TV HD

I have an Apple TV HD  mounted to the backboard which operates as a HomeKit hub.  It is mounted using a zip tie, and plugs directly into the Ethernet switch. There is no display attached.  I might relocate the Apple TV device to my living room, but on the other hand it may be wise to keep it on the backboard for future UPS power.

Wall Mounted Apple TV and Ring Transformer
Wall Mounted Apple TV and Ring Transformer

Ring Doorbell Transformer

My Ring wired doorbell system is powered by a Honeywell AC transformer. The transformer is attached to the backboard using a zip tie and a pigtail-style extension cord.

The doorbell system was previously powered by a box mounted transformer, but the powering the Ring-based system from this backboard-mounted transformer will allow me to easily provide UPS backup power.

AC Power distribution

Everything on the board is powered by a commodity wall mounted power strip. According to my Killowatt Power meter, the typical power use of each component is as follows:

  • PoE Switch: 3.6 Watts
    • PoE WiFi AP: 5.3 Watts
    • PoE Attic WISP gateway router:3.9 Watts
  • Ring Doorbell Transformer: 4.0 Watts
  • HDHomeRun: 2.1 Watts
  • Apple TV HD, as a HomeKit hub: 1.1 Watts

The remote PoE devices powered by the switch include the attic-mounted MikroTik hAP AC Lite (operating as a WISP gateway and as the primary network router), and a living room mounted MikroTik Cap AC access point, providing 802.11 WiFi to the building.

In total, that's about 21 watts with a PF of about 0.60.

I plan to add backup power using a CyberPower UPS.  This UPS will allow the network and key devices like the Ring doorbell to function in the event of a power failure.  I should be able to power my backboard for several hours using this UPS unit.

Since the UPS is designed to sit on a desk or on the floor, I'll have to make a bracket so it can sit on the backboard. 

CyberPower UPS waiting for installation

Equipment Removed from the Backboard

I had a few other things on the backboard that have since been removed:

GL.iNet Mango router and Arris SB6190 Cable modem.  I used these together, as my Internet gateway and router.  Since eliminating CATV-based Internet service and transitioning to my WISP, these devices were replaced by my attic-mounted MikroTik hAP.

Raspberry Pi Zero.  I had a Raspberry Pi Zero mounted to the board, operating as my always-available general purpose server. I relocated the Pi to an area where its hardware I/O can directly monitor some building equipment.

Future Plans

Adding the UPS is the only likely short-term addition.


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