Getting Started — Wi-Fi & Networking
Why Networking Matters to Wilsons
Almost everything Wilsons installs now depends on the network:
- CCTV: DVR/NVR needs internet for Hik-Connect remote access; IP cameras need LAN connectivity
- Security alarms: SmartCom/ComIP needs internet for Premier Elite Connect and ARC signalling
- Fire alarms: SmartCom communication module needs network access
- Smart home: Every smart device (lights, thermostats, doorbells) needs Wi-Fi
- EV chargers: Smart chargers need Wi-Fi for app control and scheduling
A customer with a poor network gets less value from every other system we install. Good networking is the foundation everything sits on.
What Wilsons Does in Networking
- Structured cabling (Cat5e/Cat6) — installing data cables to rooms, offices, and equipment locations
- Network points — installing RJ45 wall plates, patch panels, and cabinet infrastructure
- Wi-Fi access points — installing ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted access points for reliable wireless coverage throughout a property
- Mesh Wi-Fi systems — installing consumer and prosumer mesh systems (UniFi, TP-Link Omada, Eero, Deco)
- Small network switches — installing unmanaged or managed switches for structured wiring environments
- Router/ISP equipment — connecting and configuring broadband routers, liaising with ISPs
- Network fault finding — diagnosing connectivity issues across a site
Key Networking Concepts
IP Addresses
Every device on a network has an IP address — a unique identifier that allows data to be routed to the correct device.
Private IP address ranges (used on local networks):
- 192.168.0.0 – 192.168.255.255 (most common on home networks)
- 10.0.0.0 – 10.255.255.255 (used on larger networks)
- 172.16.0.0 – 172.31.255.255
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol): Most routers assign IP addresses automatically from a pool — this is DHCP. Devices get an address when they connect and may get a different address next time.
Static IP: A device configured with a fixed IP address — the address never changes. Used for equipment that needs a predictable address (DVRs, access points, network switches).
Subnet mask: Defines the size of the local network. Most home networks use 255.255.255.0 — meaning there are 254 possible device addresses (e.g. 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254).
Gateway
The gateway is typically the router — the device that routes traffic between the local network and the internet. On a standard home network, the gateway IP is the router's address (commonly 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
DNS
DNS (Domain Name System) translates human-readable domain names (google.com) into IP addresses. DNS servers are usually provided by the ISP or by public services (8.8.8.8 = Google DNS, 1.1.1.1 = Cloudflare DNS).
DHCP Range and Reservations
The router's DHCP server assigns IPs from a pool (e.g. 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.200). For devices that need a consistent address, you can:
- Set a static IP on the device — configure the IP directly on the device, outside the DHCP pool
- DHCP reservation — tell the router to always assign the same IP to a specific device's MAC address
DHCP reservations are the cleaner approach — the device still technically uses DHCP but always gets the same address.
PoE — Power over Ethernet
PoE delivers electrical power to a device (access point, IP camera, IP phone) over the same Cat5/6 cable that carries data. This avoids needing a separate power supply at every device location.
PoE standards:
| Standard | Max power | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| IEEE 802.3af | 15.4W | Most access points and IP cameras |
| IEEE 802.3at (PoE+) | 30W | Higher-power devices |
| IEEE 802.3bt (PoE++) | 60W or 100W | PTZ cameras, high-power APs |
PoE is delivered by a PoE switch or PoE injector. Confirm the PoE standard matches what the device requires.
VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network)
A VLAN allows a single physical network to be logically divided into separate, isolated segments. For example, CCTV cameras on a separate VLAN from the main house network — ensuring camera traffic is isolated and cannot be accessed from a guest network.
VLANs are a managed switch and managed router feature. Most consumer equipment does not support VLANs.
Cable Standards
Cat5e vs Cat6
| Standard | Max speed | Max distance | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat5e | 1Gbps | 100m | Residential — adequate for most uses |
| Cat6 | 1Gbps (10Gbps up to 55m) | 100m | Preferred for new installs — future-proof |
| Cat6A | 10Gbps | 100m | High-performance commercial — larger cable, harder to terminate |
Wilsons' standard: Cat6 for all new structured cabling installs. The marginal cost over Cat5e is small; the performance and future-proofing benefit is significant.
T568B Termination
All RJ45 connectors and keystone jacks should be terminated to T568B standard:
| Pin | Wire colour |
|---|---|
| 1 | White/Orange |
| 2 | Orange |
| 3 | White/Green |
| 4 | Blue |
| 5 | White/Blue |
| 6 | Green |
| 7 | White/Brown |
| 8 | Brown |
Use T568B consistently — do not mix T568A and T568B on the same installation. Mixing them creates a crossover cable, which does not work for standard patch connections.