diff --git a/posts/creating-a-router-cabinet.md b/posts/creating-a-router-cabinet.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7efce5d --- /dev/null +++ b/posts/creating-a-router-cabinet.md @@ -0,0 +1,55 @@ +--- +title: "Creating a router cabinet" +slug: /creating-a-router-cabinet/ +date: 2025-10-05 +tags: ["personal", "projects", "diy"] +--- + +As you can see below my consumer networking was quite messy. I wanted to hide +the wires but retain easy access and the ability to add further devices down the +line. + +![How unsightly!](./img/router-before-rotated.jpg) + +I purchased a +[cheap bathroom cabinet](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0912R9XRJ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title) +from Jeffrey Bezos and set about modifying it. + +I made a matching set of holes on each shelf to channel the wires through. I +also created a bottom hole that will later feed Ethernet cable out via conduit +to my loft space where it will travel across the house down into my server +cupboard. + +![Making the holes in my workshop](./img/router-making-holes-rotated.jpg) + +As I wanted the cabinet to be flush against the wall, you'll see that I cut a +hole in the backboard so that the fibre connection and plug sockets sit above +the bottom shelf, easily connecting to the extension cable. + +![Now they know how many holes it takes to fill a bathroom cabinet](./img/router-open-door-empty-rotated.jpg) + +Instead of using my main router (Fritz Box 7530) for WiFi, I use a TP-Link Deco +X50 WiFi 6 Mesh Router connected via Ethernet to the Fritzbox, to extend the +signal laterally throughout the bungalow. + +This means that the main router doesn't need to be exposed since it isn't +transmitting WiFi. The only device that needs to be exposed is the main mesh +router. So I made a hole at the top to accommodate its Ethernet and power +cables. This way the signal can travel without obstruction to its two auxiliary +routers in other rooms. + +![Top hole for the mesh router](./img/router-top-hole-rotated.jpg) + +I am very happy at how neat and tidy this looks. + +![Mesh router sitting atop router cabinet](./img/router-closed-door-rotated.jpg) + +![Inside the finished router cabinet](./img/router-final-form-rotated.jpg) + +The cabinet currently contains the main router, the main mesh router (on top), +my Philips Hue bridge and a Raspberry Pi 3 which I am running on the mesh +network as a [Pihole](https://pi-hole.net/). The main router wouldn't sit nicely +on the shelf so I just used a couple of wood screws to hold it in place. + +The total cost was £38.78 covering the price of the cabinet and a new +surge-protected Masterplug extension lead. diff --git a/posts/img/router-before-rotated.jpg b/posts/img/router-before-rotated.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bbb638c Binary files /dev/null and b/posts/img/router-before-rotated.jpg differ diff --git a/posts/img/router-before.jpg b/posts/img/router-before.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2521a04 Binary files /dev/null and b/posts/img/router-before.jpg differ diff --git a/posts/img/router-closed-door-rotated.jpg b/posts/img/router-closed-door-rotated.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c2f1bd2 Binary files /dev/null and b/posts/img/router-closed-door-rotated.jpg differ diff --git a/posts/img/router-closed-door.jpg b/posts/img/router-closed-door.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2a6cbae Binary files /dev/null and b/posts/img/router-closed-door.jpg differ diff --git a/posts/img/router-final-form-rotated.jpg b/posts/img/router-final-form-rotated.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d8ec48f Binary files /dev/null and b/posts/img/router-final-form-rotated.jpg differ diff --git a/posts/img/router-final-form.jpg b/posts/img/router-final-form.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9382104 Binary files /dev/null and b/posts/img/router-final-form.jpg differ diff --git a/posts/img/router-making-holes-rotated.jpg b/posts/img/router-making-holes-rotated.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4e81c8e Binary files /dev/null and b/posts/img/router-making-holes-rotated.jpg differ diff --git a/posts/img/router-making-holes.jpg b/posts/img/router-making-holes.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c11ac70 Binary files /dev/null and b/posts/img/router-making-holes.jpg differ diff --git a/posts/img/router-open-door-empty-rotated.jpg b/posts/img/router-open-door-empty-rotated.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a02b2c5 Binary files /dev/null and b/posts/img/router-open-door-empty-rotated.jpg differ diff --git a/posts/img/router-open-door-empty.jpg b/posts/img/router-open-door-empty.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b140684 Binary files /dev/null and b/posts/img/router-open-door-empty.jpg differ diff --git a/posts/img/router-open-door.jpg b/posts/img/router-open-door.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b9860c7 Binary files /dev/null and b/posts/img/router-open-door.jpg differ diff --git a/posts/img/router-top-hole-rotated.jpg b/posts/img/router-top-hole-rotated.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8bebed6 Binary files /dev/null and b/posts/img/router-top-hole-rotated.jpg differ diff --git a/posts/img/router-top-hole.jpg b/posts/img/router-top-hole.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..904b09e Binary files /dev/null and b/posts/img/router-top-hole.jpg differ