help me design my wired home network.

[stefcep2]

Hi

I've just got hold of an ariadne card for my A4000.  I currently only have mobile broadband but want to switch to wired broadband.

I want to create a wired (in the walls) network, but I know very little about what components and wiring  I need to buy and how to best set it up.  I have run telephone lines and aerial lines with wall plates and jacks so I'm ok with the wiring/installation side, just don't know what I need to buy and how to put it together.

So here goes:

I will have a central location for my broadband modem (kitchen where main phone line is).  From this I wish to have an internet connection point in 4 other rooms.  

I was thinking I would have wired connections from the modem that I can plug into  a wall-plate of four jacks on the wall next to the modem, then cable running inside the walls from each jacks to four different rooms, terminating in in single jack wall plates in each room, that I can plug a PC, Amiga, PS3 and laptop into.

So what specifically do I need?

Guessing:

1. a modem/router with at least 4 ports?  Recommendations and specs I should be looking for?

2.  Cable-what sort?  End connectors?

3.  Wall plates and jacks-what sort? a special tool to push the network cable into the back of the jacks?

[stefcep2]

Thanks guys!   Lots of good tips here.  I've looked at some crimping videos so I think I've got the general gist of that, no different to crimping phone line jacks, and its no hassle for me to run cabling in the walls since I've already run TV aerial through the same walls.

Just to get my terminology right: what is the difference between a router and  switch?

I've also seen the term "modem/router" used.  Do they make modem/router/switch?  Do I need a modem/router/switch or is a modem/switch all I'm looking for?

In relation to interference with power cables, is there a minimum distance that the network cables need to be away?

I actually considered the network over power lines but they cost a fortune here: thanks for the link.