Internet switch or patch panel?

[Hugo]

I'm renovating a home and am completely new to the concept of hard wiring the place having only needed wireless before.

I want 2 Ethernet ports in each bedroom and plan for all of these wires to end under the stairs where I will have my router and 16 port internet switch.

I'm not fussed about how tidy things look and won't be needing anymore ports in the future. I thought I only needed an internet switch, not a patch panel as well.

Please may someone clarify for me? Thanks

[Robert J]

You don't have to use a patch panel as such, but you do need a bank of sockets near the switch.

Ethernet sockets are intended to be terminated with 'trunk' cable - one strand of copper per core.
You cannot fit plugs to it, so you need sockets at both ends.

The most compact way is get some quad 'keystone' faceplates and some deep twin surface mount backing boxes (that take two standard single faceplates each). Two twins (or four singles) gives you 16 socket locations.

You can get ethernet keystone inserts separately - they are the same as often used with patch panels.

You can also get keystone faceplates in 25 x 50mm module style, so you can use these in 2 or 4 module faceplates for room sockets, either just ethernet or mixed with phone, TV or sat aerial or other modules.
Make sure you use the deepest type backing boxes to allow room for cables..

Use Cat5e sockets & cable as a minimum.

Example parts -
Quad faceplate:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAT5e-Quad-RJ4...0679248243

Keystone sockets:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RJ45-Keystone-...1071697613
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AV-Link-710-64...1094398740

Keystone insert for modular faceplates:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RJ45-Cat5-Cat5...0337276169

Other modular bits as an example:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Modular-Keysto...0754099054
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Grid-Outlet-Mo...0899972533

(Edit, got one of the links wrong..)