EthernetBlog by Ethernet Extension Experts

How to wire your own Ethernet cables and connectors.What You Need:

Required:

• Cable – bulk Category 3, 5, 5e, or 6 cable
• Wire Cutters – to cut and strip the cable if necessary
• RJ45 Male blank Plugs
• RJ45 Crimp Tool
  
• Country specific telephone Punch Down Tool (if working with structured phone blocks)

Recommended:

• Wire Stripper
• Cable Tester (continuity or complex LAN tester)

About the Cable:

You can find bulk supplies of the cable at many computer stores or most electrical or home centers. You want UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) Category 3 or 5 cable for basic 10/100 functionality. You want CAT 5e for gigabit (1000BaseT) operation and CAT 6 or 7 gives you a measure of future proofing. Bulk cable comes in many types, there are 2 basic categories, solid and braided cable. Braided cable tends to work better in patch applications for desktop use. It is more flexible and resilient than solid cable and easier to work with, but really meant for shorter lengths. Solid cable is meant for longer runs in a fixed position. Plenum rated cable must be used whenever the cable travels through an air circulation space. For example, above a false ceiling or below a raised floor. It may be difficult or impossible to tell from the package what type of cable it is, so peal out an end and investigate.

Here is what the internals of the cable look like:

Internal Cable Structure and Color Coding

Inside the cable, there are 8 color coded wires. These wires are twisted into 4 pairs of wires, each pair has a common color theme. One wire in the pair being a solid or primarily solid colored wire and the other being a primarily white wire with a colored stripe (Sometimes cables won’t have any color on the striped wire, the only way to tell which is which is to check which wire it is twisted around). Examples of the naming schemes used are: Orange (alternatively Orange/White) for the solid colored wire and White/Orange for the striped cable. The twists are extremely important. They are there to counteract noise and interference. It is important to wire according to a standard to get proper performance from the cable. The TIA/EIA-568-A specifies two wiring standards for an 8-position modular connector such as RJ45. The two wiring standards, T568A and T568B vary only in the arrangement of the colored pairs. Tom writes to say “…sources suggest using T568A cabling since T568B is the AT&T standard, but the US Government specifies T568A since it matches USOC cabling for pairs 1 & 2, which allows it to work for 1/2 line phones…”. Your choice might be determined by the need to match existing wiring, jacks or personal preference, but you should maintain consistency. I’ve shown both below for straight through cabling and just T568B for cross over cabling.

About RJ45 Plugs and Jacks:

The RJ45 plug is an 8-position modular connector that looks like a large phone plug. There are a couple variations available. The primary variation you need to pay attention to is whether the connector is intended for braided or solid wire. For braided/stranded wires, the connector has sharp pointed contacts that actually pierce the wire. For solid wires, the connector has fingers which cut through the insulation and make contact with the wire by grasping it from both sides. The connector is the weak point in an Ethernet cable, choosing the wrong one will often cause grief later. If you just walk into a computer store, it’s nearly impossible to tell what type of plug it is. You may be able to determine what type it is by crimping one without a cable.

RJ45 jacks come in a variety styles intended for several different mounting options. The choice is one of requirements and preference. RJ45 jacks are designed to work only with solid cable. Most jacks come labeled with color codes for either T568A, T568B or both. Make sure you end up with the correct one.

Here is a diagram and pin out:

RJ45 Plug and Jack Pin Out

Ethernet Cable Pin Outs:

There are two basic cable pin outs. A straight through cable, which is used to connect to a hub or switch, and a cross over cable used to operate in a peer-to-peer fashion without a hub/switch. Generally all fixed wiring should be run as straight through. Some
Ethernet interfaces can cross and un-cross a cable automatically as needed, a handy feature.

Standard, Straight-Through Wiring (both ends are the same):

RJ45 Pin	Wire Color (T568A)	Wire Diagram (T568A)	10Base-T 100Base-TX	1000Base-TX
1	White/Green		Transmit+	BI_DA+
2	Green		Transmit-	BI_DA-
3	White/Orange		Receive+	BI_DB+
4	Blue		Unused	BI_DC+
5	White/Blue		Unused	BI_DC-
6	Orange		Receive-	BI_DB-
7	White/Brown		Unused	BI_DD+
8	Brown		Unused	BI_DD-

Straight-Through Cable Pin Out for T568A

RJ45 Pin	Wire Color (T568B)	Wire Diagram (T568B)	10Base-T 100Base-TX	1000Base-TX
1	White/Orange		Transmit+	BI_DA+
2	Orange		Transmit-	BI_DA-
3	White/Green		Receive+	BI_DB+
4	Blue		Unused	BI_DC+
5	White/Blue		Unused	BI_DC-
6	Green		Receive-	BI_DB-
7	White/Brown		Unused	BI_DD+
8	Brown		Unused	BI_DD-

Straight-Through Cable Pin Out for T568B

Cross Over Cable (T568B):

RJ45 Pin # (END 1)	Wire Color	Diagram End #1	RJ45 Pin # (END 2)	Wire Color	Diagram End #2
1	White/Orange		1	White/Green
2	Orange		2	Green
3	White/Green		3	White/Orange
4	Blue		4	White/Brown
5	White/Blue		5	Brown
6	Green		6	Orange
7	White/Brown		7	Blue
8	Brown		8	White/Blue

Cross Over Cable Pin Outs

+Note: The cross over cable layout is suitable for 1000Base-TX operation, all 4 pairs are crossed.

How to wire Ethernet Patch Cables:

1. Strip off about 2 inches of the cable sheath.
2. Untwist the pairs – don’t untwist them beyond what you have exposed, the more untwisted cable you have the worse the problems you can run into.
3. Align the colored wires according to the diagrams above.
4. Trim all the wires to the same length, about 1/2″ to 3/4″ left exposed from the sheath.
5. Insert the wires into the RJ45 plug – make sure each wire is fully inserted to the front of the RJ45 plug and in the correct order. The sheath of the cable should extend into the RJ45 plug by about 1/2″ and will be held in place by the crimp.
6. Crimp the RJ45 plug with the crimper tool.
7. Verify the wires ended up the right order and that the wires extend to the front of the RJ45 plug and make good contact with the metal contacts in the RJ45 plug
8. Cut the cable to length – make sure it is more than long enough for your needs.
9. Repeat the above steps for the second RJ45 plug.

How to wire fixed Ethernet Cables:

1. Run the full length of cable in place, from endpoint to endpoint, making sure to leave excess.
2. At one end, cut the wire to length leaving enough length to work, but not too much excess.
3. Strip off about 2 inches of the cable sheath.
4. Align each of the colored wires according to the layout of the jack.
5. Use the punch down tool to insert each wire into the jack.
6. Repeat the above steps for the second RJ45 jack.

If a cable tester is available, use it to verify the proper connectivity of the cable. That should be it, if your cable doesn’t turn out, look closely at each end and see if you can find the problem. Often a wire ended up in the wrong place or one of the wires is making no contact or poor contact. Also double check the color coding to verify it is correct. If you see a mistake or problem, cut the end off and start again. A cable tester is invaluable at identifying and highlighting these issues.

When sizing cables remember that an end to end connection should not extend more than 100m (~328ft). Try to minimize the cable length, the longer the cable becomes, the more it may affect performance. This is usually noticeable as a gradual decrease in speed and increase in latency.

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Notes:

IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet (PoE):

Power over Ethernet has been implemented in many variations before IEEE standardized 802.3af. 802.3af specifies the ability to supply an endpoint with 48V DC at up 350mA or 16.8W. The endpoint must be capable of receiving power on either the data pairs [Mode A] (often called phantom power) or the unused pairs [Mode B] in 100Base-TX. PoE can be used with any Ethernet configuration, including 10Base-T, 100Base-TX and 1000Base-T. Power is only supplied when a valid PoE endpoint is detected by using a low voltage probe to look for the PoE signature on the endpoint. PoE power is typically supplied in one of two ways, either the host Ethernet switch provides the power, or a “midspan” device is plugged in between the switch and endpoints and supplies the power. No special cabling is required.

RJ45 Pin #	Wire Color (T568A)	Wire Diagram (T568A)	10Base-T 100Base-TX	PoE
1	White/Green			Mode A +
2	Green			Mode A +
3	White/Orange			Mode A -
4	Blue		Positive +	Mode B +
5	White/Blue		Positive +	Mode B +
6	Orange			Mode A -
7	White/Brown		Negative -	Mode B -
8	Brown		Negative -	Mode B -

Power over Ethernet Power Delivery

Cable Category Details:

Cable Category	Rated Frequency Bandwidth (MHz)	Common Uses
1	None	Common Use
2	1	Telephone Wiring
3	16	Telephone Wiring, 10Base-T
4	20	Token-Ring, 10Base-T
5	100	100Base-TX, 10Base-T
5e	100	1000Base-T, 100Base-TX
6	250	1000Base-T, 100Base-TX
6a*	500	10GBase-T
7	600

Increasing category levels are backward compatible.
Manufacturers will often test and certify their cable well beyond the standards.
*10GBase-T should work on Cat6, but to get the full 100m range, Cat 6a is required.

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Here is something new from Motorola. Said to carry class connections, people who are setting up wireless networks and want longer distance covering may want to check out the PTP 300. The new Ethernet Bridge is said to operate at either 5.4 to 5.8 GHZ with a maximum transfer rate of 25 mbps. Add to that the fact that it can cover of up to 248 km, then this Ethernet Bridge from Motorola looks like a tempting find.

This type of Ethernet Bridge does seem suitable for urban environments. Normally there are some constraints as far as the proper connectivity within networks. Going wireless is something that is common these days and if given a choice, anyone would want to have access to the web wherever they may be. But if you think about it, it perhaps depends on the network coverage that an Ethernet has been programmed for. We all must remember that for most Ethernet setups, there is usually an assigned security name and password to limit the people who want to access the web through it.

If you think about it, this Ethernet solution is highly appealing to the people in the corporate world. It is not something that the average home owner would want to have unless he owns a large parcel of land. Access to the web in the corporate setting is indeed a need especially if you talk about web-based programs and emails used by employees and personnel. But of course, it is still the duty of the network administrator to assign permissions to make sure there is control and the Internet is put to good use.

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The boom of wireless technology is obvious and so far a lot of people these days have made it a point to set up a wireless Internet connection in their homes to enjoy the luxury of Internet browsing in their homes, wherever they may be. No longer are you stuck towards staying in one part of your home, normally near where your phone conduit is placed. With the help of a wireless router, you can either place cables or rely on the wireless technology that routers normally come with these days.

Taken as a whole, it is not difficult to install. Knowing the current crop of routers in the market today, most of them are simple plug and play. All you have to is to connect the modem on one end and the RJ 45 on the other. After that, you just have to turn on your computer and make sure you are within range. Once connected, you can enjoy the benefits of surfing the web as you please.

Now that was not so hard. So if you talk about how to set up a wireless network in your home, it is quite easy if you try it out. Do not let the complex design of a router fool you. It is really something that is similar to a jigsaw puzzle.

With that said, it is obvious that setting up your wireless home network should be a breeze. You don’t need technical people to set it up for you, unless of course you want certain restrictions such as placing a username and password so that wandering people don’t get to use your network to browse the web.

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The best people to ask these days would be the network administrators. If you have noticed, there has been a lull in the continuous development of high end Ethernet solutions. We have seen the fast paced development which last saw Gbit Ethernet links rule. Since then, we have not heard anything to the latest transition towards the faster 10 Gbit Ethernet technology apparently due to the rising costs of raw materials, most of which are needed to make it all happen.

These days, it is not a secret that everything is going up. New copper cabling and components are getting pricey by the day and with that in mind, it is apparent that there will be hesitation on the part of most companies and networks to consider the high-end cabling solutions.

Data centers in particular, are turning to cost-effective networking solutions such as multiple Gbit Ethernet links that costs less than $200 per port. A 10GE link can cost as much as $2,500 per port as reported.

Hewlett Packard is not using this as a setback to their continuous development. Rather than step back, they are hoping that their move to release its first transceiver modules to carry their 10 Gbit Ethernet over multimodule optical fiber will help nudge the current market towards leaning to new technology. HP hopes its 10GBase-LRM modules help nudge the slow-moving market for 10GE forward.

In a world that is playing along the lines of risky business with consideration towards current economic trends, a pit stop of sorts has hindered the continuous development of the Ethernet solutions we should be enjoying. From what it stands, this push may not only be a move that will awaken the sleeping world of Ethernet and network solutions but can help us continue the network solutions we are all enjoying at the moment.

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In networks, we often focus a lot on the cabling and layout to make ends meet. As long as there are the usual RJ 45 tips that can help provide connectivity using the various wiring combinations, all else is taken for granted. But what if you wanted to modify it a bit, provide some assistance towards these connectors to make sure that their connections are locked properly when you connect the network players such as the workstations and the servers?

For added safety, it would be wise to check out these offerings from Tyco Electronics. Some would call these plug kits as useless and added cost but if you want to put premium on security in connections of cabling and the ports, then this is something you should surely check out.

Tyco Electronics offers a line of IP67-rated ODVA-compliant industrial Ethernet connectors, which are suited for EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, and ControlNet applications.

The modular plugs and jacks connectors offer IP 67 sealing and a quick-connect bayonet coupling that meet IEC 61076-3-106 Variant 1 specifications.

These connectors are suitable for the working environment where anything can happen. Locking your cables securely so that they do not have to be constantly pulled out of the plug is a good want to make sure that you entire network is functioning properly.

Adding something to your network will not hurt. Besides, it is more than putting class to your cabling and peripherals, it is all about ensuring quality network performance 24/7.

(Source) Ferret

We all know that a Macintosh is something that you don’t see participating in Ethernets and networks these days. Normally, all PCs in a network are Linux or Microsoft Windows based. This is perhaps one of the shortcomings that makes a PC stand out over a MAC. MACs are normally know for imaging and graphics related solutions but not for business operations were data flow and report generation is the usual recourse that most companies look for today.

But just when you thought that this becomes a liability for a MAC, Mac Alliance is working out a scheme to help integrate a Macintosh into a Microsoft Windows environment. Apparently this is to help push the MAC with the hopes it can be in line with the growing needs of business outside the usual imaging and graphics solutions that they are normally pegged to have.

“Since adopting Intel technology in its Macs, Apple has seen rapid growth in its desktop and laptop sales, up 51 percent last quarter on the same period in 2007, and outpacing the PC market,” Sherylin Dahl, senior partner manager at Parallels told InfoWorld. “This is partially due to tools such as Apple’s own Bootcamp and virtualization solutions such as Parallels Desktop for Mac, which enable users to run Windows or Linux applications on a Mac, addressing the compatibility issue that has traditionally acted as a barrier to widespread Mac adoption. The Enterprise Desktop Alliance aims to advance this goal by educating the market and further encouraging and enabling Mac adoption in the enterprise.”

One way the alliance plans to help push its initiative is through its education services. The EDA plans on hosting a series of events, including Webcasts and seminars, and will also provide white papers, product information, and other resources on its Web site.

If you have been versed with networking, you know that there will be a lot of work to be done. Other than the web, a MAC is normally not seen as an active contributor in networking environments. But anything is possible and perhaps with the joint efforts we can see how a MAC can be of use in a usual business network environment.

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At times when you disconnect a network cable from a hub or router, there is a matter of trying to make sure that electrostatic discharge (ESD) may tend to cause problems as perhaps sudden issues of inoperability. Some may attribute it to loose cable ends on the usual RJ45 jacks but then again there is more towards this issue than blaming it on the cabling.

When you leave a port open, it is susceptible to various problems. Thought it may not be much of an issue, it is better to make sure that these networking channels are given the same attention towards making sure that once a network cable is once again plugged in, it will render the same quality and function it was known to have before it was unplugged.

To help protect network environments, OnChip Devices has developed a Low Capacitance Diode Arrays for Ethernets to make sure that maintenance and safety within the networks is sustained. The ESD pulse can be introduced directly into the open port, or into the disconnected end of the cable. Without sufficient protection, the Physical Layer Transceivers (PHY) and the Controller chips can be rendered inoperable since they are routinely manufactured using 0.18-micron and 0.13-micron technologies. These small geometries are extremely sensitive to ESD.

So if you think it would be best to simply keep these ports plugged, remember you don’t have to limit yourself and be afraid to plug them out. There are solutions offered for them and for people who are expected to keep networks abreast, this diode offered by OnChip Devices is indeed something you may want to consider.

With data serialization, higher bit rates, and increasing screen resolutions, today’s computers and consumer products require uncompromising levels of protection against ESD with ultra-low line capacitance to preserve signal integrity. Protecting these systems with OnChip’s silicon based diodes has become an essential part of the product’s reliability. OC1214-02MR offers channel-to-ground capacitance of less than 1pF and the channel-to-channel capacitance of under 0.4pF. The device clamp voltage is below 10V which virtually eliminates IC latch-up and soft errors.

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