How To Deploy an Ethernet Network in an Old Building

This case study is based on an hypothetical historic hotel, with 35 rooms across 2 floors, that operates on a 2-wire analog cabling system. As part of a modernization effort, the hotel needs to upgrade its network infrastructure to support contemporary digital services such as VoIP phones and IP cameras, for guests. This business case compares the costs, benefits, and implications of using 2-wire to IP converters and terminals versus replacing the existing cabling with Cat6.

If you are looking to deploy IP phones, IP cameras, or IP door phones to upgrade your analog system to a state-of-the-art IP communication network, you might encounter challenges such as handling the workload, time, and cost of rewiring, minimizing potential business disruptions, and ensuring network connectivity and power supply for all IP devices.

How To Connect IP Phones Or Cameras Over a 2-Wire Line

The X303 IP phones from Fanvil can be used connected to a Fanvil 2-wire PoE switch (either 8 ports- PN8 or 24 ports PN24) and streamline network configuration. The phones feature a power and network supply method using a 2-wire connection, allowing for complete reuse of old wiring while offering high-definition voice, a 2.4-inch color display, supporting 4 SIP accounts, multi-party conferencing, and other rich features.

The 2-Wire to IP Converter - PN1 will enable the use of existing 2-wire cabling to connect IP devices (like cameras, door phones, IP paging devices and intercom) to the network, eliminating the need for new ethernet cabling.

The Power Over Ethernet switches PN8 & PN24 provide power and data connectivity to IP devices through a single 2 wire cable.

Choosing the Right Solution for Cabling Ethernet

Assumptions in Option 2: Material: $2.5 per foot (Cat6 cables, connectors), 35 rooms with average 100 feet per room = $8,750. Extensive labor: Estimated $200 per room = $7,000 (do not include demolition and wall reconstruction). Miscellaneous: Permits, inspections, restoration work = $3,500

Convert Your Old Cabling Into Easy-to-Deploy Ethernet Lines

Given the historic nature of the hotel and the goal to minimize disruption while upgrading network capabilities, using 2-Wire to IP Converters is the recommended approach. This option provides a cost-effective solution with minimal impact on the hotel’s historic structure, faster implementation, and less operational disruption. While it may not offer the same level of future-proofing as Cat6 cabling, it sufficiently meets the current and near-term technological needs of the hotel, ensuring a satisfactory experience for guests and operational efficiency for the hotel management.

By adopting the 2-wire to IP converters, the hotel can enhance its network infrastructure with minimal cost and effort, preserving its historic charm while upgrading to modern communication standards.

Designed to streamline communication and enhance efficiency in office environments, this solution is tailored for business environments, aiming to provide reliable and high-quality communication systems using existing 2-wire infrastructure. This can significantly reduce installation costs and complexity, making it an attractive option for businesses looking to upgrade their communication systems without extensive rewiring.

P.D. All data was based on past project experiences from some of our customers.

Use this solution to not only connect your phones, but also connect IP cameras. We can provide you with Pre-configured cameras that ship tested and pre-provisioned. Deployment of the system is fast, easy and economical. Equipment is pre-configured for remote setup. Fine tuning and future configuration changes can be done in the cloud by your installer minimizing the need for on site work makes future maintenance, faster and more economical. Need also, Access Control devices, we have them too, and they can also connect to the 2 wire solution.