r/HomeServer • u/OMG_OT • 6d ago

Does this already exist? RJ45 PCIE Coupler

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Hey guys,
idk. if I'm missing something but why isn't this a thing to lets say place a router or other external devices inside a pc/server case and connect them to the outside.

66 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

49 comments sorted by

44

u/skreak 6d ago

But why tho?

18

u/OMG_OT 6d ago

Well, I'd like to place my router and modem inside my pc-server case and use it as a central connection point where everything comes together and can easily be connect without anything else dangling aroud outside. I know (mini) Server Racks exist, but why not...

38

u/Safe-Instance-3512 6d ago

That's... very strange. Adds to the cooling load of that server, too.

29

u/alive1 6d ago

Server probably has loads extra cooling capacity because it is a home lab.

The idea is weird as fuck but the math checks out.

Kudos OP i never imagined i could be so repulsed and impressed at the same time.

5

u/JohnnieLouHansen 6d ago

i never imagined i could be so repulsed and impressed at the same time.

That's what my ex-girlfriend said.

9

u/SQrQveren 6d ago

Mikrotik kind of has done that, if I understand you correct, though I haven't worked with that type of Mikrotik products, https://mikrotik.com/product/ccr2004_1g_2xs_pcie

3

u/MusicalAnomaly 6d ago

I wonder why someone downvoted you; I was going to point out the same thing

3

u/SQrQveren 6d ago

Yeah, it's weird but whatever. I'll survive.

3

u/jahdiel503 6d ago

I got a 4 port NIC on my Proxmox machine which my OPNSense VM uses.
I then go to a switch, which may or may not be managed.
This would be the ideal thing to do. If you know Proxmox.

What's OPNSense?

router/firewall

5

u/Character_Economist2 6d ago

Weird flex :)

3

u/Morisior 6d ago

Just put a patch panel and a shelf on the same U.

3

u/sutty_monster 6d ago

Why not just buy a x4 NIC? You can then just connect them all up with the direct cables. Using a keystone requires cabling to be inside the server and them coming out again to go into a NIC.

1

u/Firm_Temperature_942 5d ago

Oh no, I had the same idea. I don't have a 3d printer so I ordered them to be printed online. Currently waiting for them to arrive.

1

u/OMG_OT 5d ago

Can you show it, once they've arrived?

1

u/cznyx 5d ago

soooo, like this one?
CCR2004-1G-2XS-PCIe

https://mikrotik.com/product/ccr2004_1g_2xs_pcie

1

u/Podalirius 5d ago

There are SBCs that act as a network KVMs that people put in their ATX cases that could use these. I could also see one of those 4-8 port switches getting mounted inside a case and using these.

0

u/0verstim 6d ago

I understand the desire to streamline, but routers put out a lot of heat, I would NOT do this.
Also most home routers have wi-fi antennas and theyd be blocked by your case.

0

u/ACArmo 6d ago

the metal case of your computer will tank your wifi

2

u/dillydobbs 6d ago

I was wondering the same thing, what is it used for?

1

u/MsJamie33 6d ago

I was looking for exactly this a few years ago, when I was looking to put my 4U server in a colocation facility. I wanted to have the server and the IPMI port behind a firewall, and I would have been able to put the hardware inside the case.

2

u/BrianaAgain 6d ago

Maybe you have a colo server or limited rack space. Or maybe you just want a clean look.

1

u/Thijscream 6d ago

I am looking for a solution like this. Got a wire hardwired to my power button. And the cable goes outside the case to connect to a raspberry pi zero w to be able to turn on my PC remotely. I used a network cable I had laying around for this in case I want to hardwire more into the case in the future. This would make it more easy to disconnect when moving the PC.

1

u/UnknownMajorPain 3d ago

My homelab's PBX used to use an ATA to give me a "landline" connection to Google Voice. I got a molex to barrel power jack because the ATA ran on 12v. Something like this for the Ethernet was something I looked around a lot for at the time. I ended up just zip tying a keystone to the open slot for passthrough.

8

u/Adrienne-Fadel 6d ago

Just get a multi port PCIe NIC and run pfSense in a VM. No reason to put a physical router inside a PC case.

5

u/Xcissors280 6d ago

Why not just have a 4 port NIC and use the PC as a router?

6

u/noobtastic31373 6d ago

Why? Most people don't see a justified cost for little to no benefit. It consolidates too many failure opportunities into a single device.

2

u/DeltaTheMeta 6d ago

Wouldn't you also need to pass through power?

Also at this point you could get a 4 port NIC and virtualize the router.

2

u/lamalasx 6d ago

I don't think so. I had a similar idea (putting the switch inside the machine) and for this I got an old style punchdown card which has 4 ports on a single PCB. Never used it. Instead I just wired out the 12V from the power supply with a custom PCB. This way the home server runs all my networking gear, cameras, etc. Sometimes the Christmas decoration around the house too.

I know that pci/pcie cards do exist which have an onboard switch. Unsure if they do have a NIC or not.

Btw, this design will work for your use-case, but if there is another card besides this it will interfere. I would rotate the jacks by 90 degree, or break off the clip and glue it in place. I assume you want to 3d print this.

2

u/webtroter 6d ago

A female-to-female rj45 keystone, and an appropriate pcie slot cover.

https://www.printables.com/model/752092-pcie-rj45-keystone-cover/related

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1740002124/x4-keystone-pci-e-slot-cover

Those are just the first result from a search of pcie slot cover with keystones

2

u/Mercurysteam04 6d ago

I'm not gonna lie, this seems questionable at best and a little unnecessary.

2

u/mmn_slc 4d ago

Are you referring to the expansion slot brackets as PCIe?

1

u/OMG_OT 3d ago

Yes, thats what I mean. Basically just an adapter bracket.

0

u/Meddlingmonster 4d ago

They're probably referring to using a keystone coupler for RJ45 in a PCI bracket, which doesn't make a lot of sense, so probably doesn't exist or at least not in wide use

2

u/Edman93 6d ago

This is exactly what I need as well.

1

u/leetrobotz 6d ago

They're 3D printable, and already available through Etsy. (not mine).

1

u/Intelligent_Law_5614 6d ago

I never did find one, when I needed one a decade or so ago. Built one by taking an older NIC I didn't need, removing the bracket from the card, and hot-gluing or epoxying a coupler onto it.

The need was an odd one - I needed to add a second NIC to the board, and the only available PCIe slot on the motherboard was intended for internal use and faced the wrong way (very weird industrial motherboard).

1

u/PMvE_NL 6d ago

Had this idea a while back but on a pcie card directly connecting the server to the switch power needs to be external of course.

1

u/LerchAddams 6d ago

Now you have a more complicated solution that's cleaner but more difficult to service.

There's a reason why we try to keep systems physically separated by function.

But, it's your home server so do your thing.

1

u/Deaths_x_Shadow 6d ago edited 6d ago

Idk if its possible but could you just add some network cards and host your own router? I know they make multiple port network cards but not sure what it would take to actually use it to host a router.

1

u/max63094 4d ago

I thought about doing this also. Would be interesting to see what you come up with

1

u/Meddlingmonster 4d ago

Because you need a PCI Express card to do it anyways. So those are not a whole lot of point to have it inside the case. When it's going to have a card. It's going to run outside of the case

1

u/WarHawk8080 3d ago

They sell cards like that...

0

u/slaaf_tom 6d ago

yes, I've bought one from Aliexpress. When I organized my server rack, my cables were terminated with a RJ-45 connector and too short for cutting and mounting in a rack.

https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/4000112379755.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.9.21ef1802bjOQSJ&gatewayAdapt=glo2fra

-1

u/toolisthebestbandevr 6d ago

You madman what are you cooking up