More belated updates...

I chose to run Cat5 feeds to every room in the house that might need it - I do understand that just about every type of signal can be pushed down Cat5 nowadays, but I also added some screened twisted audio cables to certain places, along with a smattering of good old CT100 as well. The Idratek wiring was catered for with the pink Clipsal mains rated Cat5 cable from the c-bus shop - thanks to http://www.gumbrell.com/ for that information.

I pulled the Idratek Cat5's to central points in the ceiling of each room for a combination of IR and PLT, or just PLT alone. I managed to save a lot of chasing work by being able to pull Cat5 down the same capping as the lightswitch cables. (part P anyone?)

Before...

I also built a false chimney breast to house the HTPC Xbox360, Sky Box, and 5.1 amp. This was wired with multiple cat5's (6) and an Idratek cable, plus a 21 core Scart lead, 75ohm video cable, and audio cables to feed the surround sound speakers.

After.... (apologies for the picture on the TV!)

So - where do all these cables go?

eBay furnished me with a 24U rack, and a nice 4U server case.

Not bad for 30 quid!

Note the his and hers slippers for negotiating the splinter ridden flooring....

The now more populated server, in carpeted surroundings (we've binned the slippers!)

This is the cupboard where the server lives - yes, it needs tidying up... (does anyone have a tidy server cupboard?)

Note the separate alarm system. I know Cortex is capable of implementing a security system but I wanted the extra reliability of a system that doesn't run Windows... In fact the alarm system (Texecom Premier) can control X10 with an add on board, but for my purposes I'm just using it's digital inputs and outputs to interface with Cortex, particularly to take advantage of its connected door contacts and PIR's.