User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 5:13:08 PM EDT
Using Cat 6A cable to future proof the house a bit. It's a little bit overkill, but whatever.
Built a dozen cables with RJ45 on one end and jacks on the other. Each RJ45 took me at least 1/2 hour of swearing, trying to line those little wires up before jamming them through the plug while maintaining their orientation. Plug them into the switch and start connecting devices. Nothing. Turns out after troubleshooting and comparing the terminations to a manufactured cable, I merely terminated each RJ45 upside down. I thought the wire sequence was such as if you were looking down into the connector with the little lever doohicky on top, which is the orientation when you plug it into anything. This diagram depicts the wire sequence as you're looking through the underside of the connector. Who the F specs a connector upside down?  Attached File
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 5:14:46 PM EDT
[#1]
Don’t make your own patch cables. They wind up being category nothing and will be a constant problem for you.
Also 1000 base-t mandates auto mdi, so even if you mismatched 568a and 568b it will link. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 5:17:17 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Don’t make your own patch cables. They wind up being category nothing and will be a constant problem for you. This. Sometimes you don't have a choice (security cameras), but I avoid it at all costs. They constantly decide to stop working for me. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 5:18:42 PM EDT
[#3]
It happens.
Cabling is something I'll do only when there is no other option. I suck at it but I can make it work. Slowly. To see a dedicated cable person terminate a large network panel is like watching an artist. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 5:19:39 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted: This. Sometimes you don't have a choice (security cameras), but I avoid it at all costs. They constantly decide to stop working for me. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Don’t make your own patch cables. They wind up being category nothing and will be a constant problem for you. This. Sometimes you don't have a choice (security cameras), but I avoid it at all costs. They constantly decide to stop working for me. We’ve had people doing that shit on installs. They are escorted from the building and not allowed on property again. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 5:23:22 PM EDT
[#5]
Im in the group of "Dont make your own cables". I'm also in the small group who think most people overengineer their home networks to allow higher bandwidth than they will ever possibly use. But, it really doesnt cost any extra to do so so it makes sense.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 5:25:19 PM EDT
[#6]
Pull your own cable and terminate in punchdown blocks, then use short OEM patch cable between block and device.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 5:25:32 PM EDT
[#7]
Do not crimp your own RJ-45.
Correct cabling is keystone to keystone with a patch (premade) at each end. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 5:27:42 PM EDT
[#8]
You can get a keystone patch panel that takes the same keystone punch down jacks you used in the wall plates, and then you dont need to do any rj45s yourself.
This is also more reliable in the long run because the solid core cable you ran in the walls can eventually wear out from being moved around. You want the solid core in wall stuff to sit still in a patch panel, and then have replaceable stranded core patch cables going from the patch panel to your switch. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 5:29:11 PM EDT
[#9]
If your going to make your own cables, get a cable tester. I was able to get 900ft for $20 so I make a cable, and of course flipped one pair. Cut it off and redid it since it’s for a house camera.
Note 100ft cat 6 cable are cheap on Amazon. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 5:29:16 PM EDT
[#10]
Its probably too late now but its way easier to punch down on keystones then use pre made patches to you devices and switch/router
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 5:34:41 PM EDT
[#11]
Use EZ-RJ45 connectors for long runs and premade for patch cables.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 5:35:41 PM EDT
[#12]
OP, your diagram shows the wiring from the top with the connector end up and the wire feeding in from the bottom of the diagram.
The lock tab is on the bottom of the RJ45 in that diagram. Hint: strip about two or three inches of the sheath off, untwist the pairs (orange to the left, brown to the right, green front center, and blue back center), groom the individual conductors back and forth while pulling on them. Then arrange them while grooming some more to get them straight and into their approximate position. Then use your thumb and forefinger to hold the wires in place. Cut all the wires to 3/4" all at once while holding them in place. Slide the RJ45 on and crimp while applying pressure on the cable to keep the conductors fully into the RJ45. If you are using CAT6A RJ45s, some come with a little guide piece to keep the wires staggered properly for insterting into the RJ45. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 5:38:33 PM EDT
[#13]
Yeah, don't make your own patches like people have mentioned. Run from jack in the wall to a patch panel. Then run commercial patch cable from patch panel to switch.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 5:40:27 PM EDT
[#14]
It's that way 'cuz the doohickey gets in the way to see when lining up the wires.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 5:41:46 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Im in the group of "Dont make your own cables". I'm also in the small group who think most people overengineer their home networks to allow higher bandwidth than they will ever possibly use. But, it really doesnt cost any extra to do so so it makes sense. It is kind of nice just doing it right the first time. Like you said it doesn’t really cost extra, I ended up building out a nice network with a rack, router, switch APs and drops to a few rooms for about the cost of a higher end wifi/router combo and I can expand it as needed |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 5:45:20 PM EDT
[#16]
I don't know if the performance degrades for higher than 1000baseT but I've made cables with cat 5 and cat 5e for over 2 decades and have never had a problem with them failing over time. I generally will not do cable end to keystone when inside wiring and any outside wiring I've used buried rated cable just to be safe even if it's just going on outside walls or under eaves. For short runs (under 25ft) I will almost always use premade patch cables because they are cheaper if you account for time spent and materials when you're not buying in bulk lots. I do replace ends on patches that stop working when it looks like the ends are the problem rather than the cable being damaged. I have cat 6 just in my office for my 2.5Gb network but that's just a couple machines with 2.5Gb NICS connected to a QNAP switch connected to my router.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 5:47:45 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted: If your going to make your own cables, get a cable tester. I was able to get 900ft for $20 so I make a cable, and of course flipped one pair. Cut it off and redid it since it’s for a house camera. Note 100ft cat 6 cable are cheap on Amazon. I have made probably 2000 or more cables in my life. I use connectors so the ends of the cable stick through when I crimp it and it gets cut flush, made sure every pair got clipped so some extent (pic below, think this is the EZ-RJ45 mentioned earlier). So long as I tested it before I put it in, I have not had but one fail without being "helped." "Helped" means some jackass at work thought it would be a good idea to mount something in his office and drilled too deep and went through the wall outlet on the other side with six Cat 5e cables in it....  . Besides stuff like this the only other cable I have had fail was in a really bad environment, vibrations and usually hot and humid but with constant temp changes. I just replace that cable once a year. I still have a few that I have taken out as random test cables and they still work fine but not worth risking an outage for it. I got an insulated/sealed one once but it only lasted about 6 months longer than me handmaking one. Juice wasn't worth the squeeze you could say.I will say keystones are easier but not always practical.  |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 5:50:33 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted: OP, your diagram shows the wiring from the top with the connector end up and the wire feeding in from the bottom of the diagram. The lock tab is on the bottom of the RJ45 in that diagram. Hint: strip about two or three inches of the sheath off, untwist the pairs (orange to the left, brown to the right, green front center, and blue back center), groom the individual conductors back and forth while pulling on them. Then arrange them while grooming some more to get them straight and into their approximate position. Then use your thumb and forefinger to hold the wires in place. Cut all the wires to 3/4" all at once while holding them in place. Slide the RJ45 on and crimp while applying pressure on the cable to keep the conductors fully into the RJ45. If you are using CAT6A RJ45s, some come with a little guide piece to keep the wires staggered properly for insterting into the RJ45. 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 5:51:12 PM EDT
[#19]
While you should follow the other advice regarding patch panels and pre-fabricated cables as much as possible, you will not bring upon the end of the world if you crimp a few RJ-45 connectors; use pass-through connectors and purchase a crimping tool designed for the job.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 5:52:08 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Don't make your own patch cables. They wind up being category nothing and will be a constant problem for you. Also 1000 base-t mandates auto mdi, so even if you mismatched 568a and 568b it will link. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 5:52:28 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted: If your going to make your own cables, get a cable tester. I was able to get 900ft for $20 so I make a cable, and of course flipped one pair. Cut it off and redid it since it’s for a house camera. Note 100ft cat 6 cable are cheap on Amazon. I didn't need a cable tester to figure out I screwed up. 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 5:56:36 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted: OP, your diagram shows the wiring from the top with the connector end up and the wire feeding in from the bottom of the diagram. The lock tab is on the bottom of the RJ45 in that diagram. Hint: strip about two or three inches of the sheath off, untwist the pairs (orange to the left, brown to the right, green front center, and blue back center), groom the individual conductors back and forth while pulling on them. Then arrange them while grooming some more to get them straight and into their approximate position. Then use your thumb and forefinger to hold the wires in place. Cut all the wires to 3/4" all at once while holding them in place. Slide the RJ45 on and crimp while applying pressure on the cable to keep the conductors fully into the RJ45. If you are using CAT6A RJ45s, some come with a little guide piece to keep the wires staggered properly for insterting into the RJ45. Or buy connectors with the plastic guide. Much easier. 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 5:56:48 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I don't know if the performance degrades for higher than 1000baseT but I've made cables with cat 5 and cat 5e for over 2 decades and have never had a problem with them failing over time. I generally will not do cable end to keystone when inside wiring and any outside wiring I've used buried rated cable just to be safe even if it's just going on outside walls or under eaves. For short runs (under 25ft) I will almost always use premade patch cables because they are cheaper if you account for time spent and materials when you're not buying in bulk lots. I do replace ends on patches that stop working when it looks like the ends are the problem rather than the cable being damaged. I have cat 6 just in my office for my 2.5Gb network but that's just a couple machines with 2.5Gb NICS connected to a QNAP switch connected to my router. Quote HistoryQuoted: I don't know if the performance degrades for higher than 1000baseT but I've made cables with cat 5 and cat 5e for over 2 decades and have never had a problem with them failing over time. I generally will not do cable end to keystone when inside wiring and any outside wiring I've used buried rated cable just to be safe even if it's just going on outside walls or under eaves. For short runs (under 25ft) I will almost always use premade patch cables because they are cheaper if you account for time spent and materials when you're not buying in bulk lots. I do replace ends on patches that stop working when it looks like the ends are the problem rather than the cable being damaged. I have cat 6 just in my office for my 2.5Gb network but that's just a couple machines with 2.5Gb NICS connected to a QNAP switch connected to my router. Quoted: Quoted: If your going to make your own cables, get a cable tester. I was able to get 900ft for $20 so I make a cable, and of course flipped one pair. Cut it off and redid it since it’s for a house camera. Note 100ft cat 6 cable are cheap on Amazon. I have made probably 2000 or more cables in my life. I use connectors so the ends of the cable stick through when I crimp it and it gets cut flush, made sure every pair got clipped so some extent (pic below, think this is the EZ-RJ45 mentioned earlier). So long as I tested it before I put it in, I have not had but one fail without being "helped." "Helped" means some jackass at work thought it would be a good idea to mount something in his office and drilled too deep and went through the wall outlet on the other side will six Cat 5e cables in it.... . Besides stuff like this the only other cable I have had fail was in a really bad environment, vibrations and usually hot and humid but with constant temp changes. I just replace that cable once a year. I still have a few that I have taken out as random test cables and they still work fine but not worth risking an outage for it. I got an insulated/sealed one once but it only lasted about 6 months longer than me handmaking one. Juice wasn't worth the squeeze you could say.I will say keystones are easier but not always practical. https://www.cmple.com/content/images/thumbs/platinum-tools-100010c-ez-rj45-cat6-connectors-50-pc-clamshell_NID0007609.jpeg There are a lot of individuals who specialize in networking who do not get involved with wiring beyond the patch panel and switch - hence the aversion to crimping. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 5:57:00 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted: While you should follow the other advice regarding patch panels and pre-fabricated cables as much as possible, you will not bring upon the end of the world if you crimp a few RJ-45 connectors; use pass-through connectors and purchase a crimping tool designed for the job. I like the pass-through style best, but the regular end connectors are OK if you take your time and make sure the wires are all the way through up against the stop. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 6:02:14 PM EDT
[#25]
I didn't know that there were "no terminating mofos" outside of the assistants that HR assigned to me during my last 2 years in the field.
Good quality wall jacks, wall plates, wire, and 45s are necessary to have a reliable network in an office or home. Lots of other shit can go wrong(not my problem), but if yer hardware is shit, yer network will be problematic. ******copper coated aluminum cat5 sucks****** |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 6:05:04 PM EDT
[#26]
Cutting cables is for interns and electricians
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 6:07:20 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted: There are a lot of individuals who specialize in networking who do not get involved with wiring beyond the patch panel and switch - hence the aversion to crimping. If I am running between a set of two pieces of equipment in the same rack I will usually buy premade cables so they all are the exact same length* and it will look better and be easier to identify what is what if I am running multiple sets of cables between basically the same points. Of course I am an oddity and more of a do it all guy but master of none. *(of course I have seen premade cables that said they were X long but none of them were exactly X long and even different from each other, you get what you pay for). |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 6:20:04 PM EDT
[#28]
Can't use a punch down block when you're running Cat5/6 to a PoE camera.
Pull that cable. Slide on the waterproof sleeve, terminate the RJ45, connect everything together. The diagram is you holding the cable with the wires fanned out flat, inserting into the rear of the RJ45, looking at the metal tabs, the lock tab is on the bottom. Get a tester, plug it on the cable at the Switch side, terminate your camera side, plug on the tester, swear, cut off the RJ45, strip some more jacket, rearrange the wires again, terminate it, plug on the tester, smile and button everything up. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 6:22:10 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Pull your own cable and terminate in punchdown blocks, then use short OEM patch cable between block and device. This is the way! |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 6:30:04 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Besides stuff like this the only other cable I have had fail was in a really bad environment, vibrations and usually hot and humid but with constant temp changes. I just replace that cable once a year. I still have a few that I have taken out as random test cables and they still work fine but not worth risking an outage for it. I got an insulated/sealed one once but it only lasted about 6 months longer than me handmaking one. Juice wasn't worth the squeeze you could say. You can get continuous flexing rated industrial ethernet cable like they use in robotic arms and stuff that will hold up to that use case. I have some going up a 150' rotating HAM tower our company has APs on, it works great. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 6:34:24 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted: A hemostat works really well for keeping the individual strands flat and ordered while slipping the RJ45 over the ends. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: OP, your diagram shows the wiring from the top with the connector end up and the wire feeding in from the bottom of the diagram. The lock tab is on the bottom of the RJ45 in that diagram. Hint: strip about two or three inches of the sheath off, untwist the pairs (orange to the left, brown to the right, green front center, and blue back center), groom the individual conductors back and forth while pulling on them. Then arrange them while grooming some more to get them straight and into their approximate position. Then use your thumb and forefinger to hold the wires in place. Cut all the wires to 3/4" all at once while holding them in place. Slide the RJ45 on and crimp while applying pressure on the cable to keep the conductors fully into the RJ45. If you are using CAT6A RJ45s, some come with a little guide piece to keep the wires staggered properly for insterting into the RJ45. Whatever it takes to get it done. I've terminated thousands of RJ45s so I don't even have to think about it any more.  Here's a crappy little video that shows a quick and easy way to terminate a RJ45.  How to Terminate a RJ45 Eta Just noticed that the sheath should have been further up into the connector so that the wedge in the back of the RJ45 holds the sheath in place when crimped. Should have cut the conductors a bit closer to the sheath to get the it seat further into the connector. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 6:34:59 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Can't use a punch down block when you're running Cat5/6 to a PoE camera. Pull that cable. Slide on the waterproof sleeve, terminate the RJ45, connect everything together. The diagram is you holding the cable with the wires fanned out flat, inserting into the rear of the RJ45, looking at the metal tabs, the lock tab is on the bottom. Get a tester, plug it on the cable at the Switch side, terminate your camera side, plug on the tester, swear, cut off the RJ45, strip some more jacket, rearrange the wires again, terminate it, plug on the tester, smile and button everything up. Yes you can. Belden makes products just for this purpose that maintain category rating. It’s how you do cameras, access points, room schedulers, etc. we only use belden certified installers. Hence why if we see a guy making patch cables he is kicked off the property and not alllowed back. Don’t fuck with the physical layer. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 6:37:08 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Whatever it takes to get it done. I've terminated thousands of RJ45s so I don't even have to think about it any more. Here's a crappy little video that shows a quick and easy way to terminate a RJ45.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A2lKInPAAgQuote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: OP, your diagram shows the wiring from the top with the connector end up and the wire feeding in from the bottom of the diagram. The lock tab is on the bottom of the RJ45 in that diagram. Hint: strip about two or three inches of the sheath off, untwist the pairs (orange to the left, brown to the right, green front center, and blue back center), groom the individual conductors back and forth while pulling on them. Then arrange them while grooming some more to get them straight and into their approximate position. Then use your thumb and forefinger to hold the wires in place. Cut all the wires to 3/4" all at once while holding them in place. Slide the RJ45 on and crimp while applying pressure on the cable to keep the conductors fully into the RJ45. If you are using CAT6A RJ45s, some come with a little guide piece to keep the wires staggered properly for insterting into the RJ45. Whatever it takes to get it done. I've terminated thousands of RJ45s so I don't even have to think about it any more. Here's a crappy little video that shows a quick and easy way to terminate a RJ45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A2lKInPAAgYou didn’t maintain the twist. That cable will fail a scan over a longer link and channel. That’s why it’s never done in a pro environment. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 6:42:13 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Whatever it takes to get it done. I've terminated thousands of RJ45s so I don't even have to think about it any more. Here's a crappy little video that shows a quick and easy way to terminate a RJ45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A2lKInPAAgI found that the older I got, the harder it was to tell the difference between orange and brown with some wire. A headlamp helped. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 6:56:06 PM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted: You didn’t maintain the twist. That cable will fail a scan over a longer link and channel. That’s why it’s never done in a pro environment. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: OP, your diagram shows the wiring from the top with the connector end up and the wire feeding in from the bottom of the diagram. The lock tab is on the bottom of the RJ45 in that diagram. Hint: strip about two or three inches of the sheath off, untwist the pairs (orange to the left, brown to the right, green front center, and blue back center), groom the individual conductors back and forth while pulling on them. Then arrange them while grooming some more to get them straight and into their approximate position. Then use your thumb and forefinger to hold the wires in place. Cut all the wires to 3/4" all at once while holding them in place. Slide the RJ45 on and crimp while applying pressure on the cable to keep the conductors fully into the RJ45. If you are using CAT6A RJ45s, some come with a little guide piece to keep the wires staggered properly for insterting into the RJ45. Whatever it takes to get it done. I've terminated thousands of RJ45s so I don't even have to think about it any more. Here's a crappy little video that shows a quick and easy way to terminate a RJ45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A2lKInPAAgYou didn’t maintain the twist. That cable will fail a scan over a longer link and channel. That’s why it’s never done in a pro environment. That was a CAT6 cable terminated into a CAT5 RJ45. Other than the slight twist coming out of the sheath that is about as good as you can get by hand crimping due to the CAT5 RJ45 design. I have never seen a factory made CAT5 cable that looks much better.  Attached File Attached FileLook how much untwisted wire the factory made CAT5 cable has due to the design of CAT5 RJ45s. With good CAT6A RJ45 ends, the little plastic guide helps keep everything in a proper position with a bit more twist maintained. Eta Just curious, do you have actual measured comparisons of the speed and bandwidth difference between a factory made CAT5 patch cable and a hand made CAT5 patch cable? I would love to see how much of a difference it makes. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 7:06:51 PM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted: That was a CAT6 cable terminated into a CAT5 RJ45. Other than the slight twist coming out of the sheath that is about as good as you can get by hand crimping due to the CAT5 RJ45 design. I have never seen a factory made CAT5 cable that looks much better. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/440308/20230524_184946_jpg-2827749.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/440308/20230524_185008_jpg-2827750.JPG Look how much untwisted wire the factory made CAT5 cable has due to the design of CAT5 RJ45s. With good CAT6A RJ45 ends, the little plastic guide helps keep everything in a proper position with a bit more twist maintained. Eta Just curious, do you have actual measured comparisons of the speed and bandwidth difference between a factory made CAT5 patch cable and a hand made CAT5 patch cable? I would love to see how much of a difference it makes. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: OP, your diagram shows the wiring from the top with the connector end up and the wire feeding in from the bottom of the diagram. The lock tab is on the bottom of the RJ45 in that diagram. Hint: strip about two or three inches of the sheath off, untwist the pairs (orange to the left, brown to the right, green front center, and blue back center), groom the individual conductors back and forth while pulling on them. Then arrange them while grooming some more to get them straight and into their approximate position. Then use your thumb and forefinger to hold the wires in place. Cut all the wires to 3/4" all at once while holding them in place. Slide the RJ45 on and crimp while applying pressure on the cable to keep the conductors fully into the RJ45. If you are using CAT6A RJ45s, some come with a little guide piece to keep the wires staggered properly for insterting into the RJ45. Whatever it takes to get it done. I've terminated thousands of RJ45s so I don't even have to think about it any more. Here's a crappy little video that shows a quick and easy way to terminate a RJ45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A2lKInPAAgYou didn’t maintain the twist. That cable will fail a scan over a longer link and channel. That’s why it’s never done in a pro environment. That was a CAT6 cable terminated into a CAT5 RJ45. Other than the slight twist coming out of the sheath that is about as good as you can get by hand crimping due to the CAT5 RJ45 design. I have never seen a factory made CAT5 cable that looks much better. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/440308/20230524_184946_jpg-2827749.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/440308/20230524_185008_jpg-2827750.JPG Look how much untwisted wire the factory made CAT5 cable has due to the design of CAT5 RJ45s. With good CAT6A RJ45 ends, the little plastic guide helps keep everything in a proper position with a bit more twist maintained. Eta Just curious, do you have actual measured comparisons of the speed and bandwidth difference between a factory made CAT5 patch cable and a hand made CAT5 patch cable? I would love to see how much of a difference it makes. Cat5 died about 15-20 years ago. It’s all cat6A now. If you put homemade patch cables on a 90m link with total 100m channel it will fail category tests. That’s why you don’t do it. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 7:10:18 PM EDT
[#37]
Wow, I didn't expect that the network engineers I worked with up to 2013 were uninformed hacks. I guess those managed networks they sold and provide service and warranty for are going to fly apart one day. I am out of that game. My own simple networks at home and 2 biness locations rock. Not much to them though.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 7:15:05 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Wow, I didn't expect that the network engineers I worked with up to 2013 were uninformed hacks. I guess those managed networks they sold and provide service and warranty for are going to fly apart one day. I am out of that game. My own simple networks at home and 2 biness locations rock. Not much to them though. If you see a network guy crimping cables, you immediately know he’s an amateur hack not to be trusted. Like I said, we escort people off the property for that, not allowed back. And a huge red flag on the installer company “do not use, not trained” |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 7:27:25 PM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted: If you see a network guy crimping cables, you immediately know he’s an amateur hack not to be trusted. Like I said, we escort people off the property for that, not allowed back. And a huge red flag on the installer company “do not use, not trained” I have cables I made almost 30 years ago that are still working. What's wrong with making your own cables? If you do it properly with a good crimping tool I don't see a problem. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 7:27:31 PM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Cat5 died about 15-20 years ago. It’s all cat6A now. If you put homemade patch cables on a 90m link with total 100m channel it will fail category tests. That’s why you don’t do it. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: OP, your diagram shows the wiring from the top with the connector end up and the wire feeding in from the bottom of the diagram. The lock tab is on the bottom of the RJ45 in that diagram. Hint: strip about two or three inches of the sheath off, untwist the pairs (orange to the left, brown to the right, green front center, and blue back center), groom the individual conductors back and forth while pulling on them. Then arrange them while grooming some more to get them straight and into their approximate position. Then use your thumb and forefinger to hold the wires in place. Cut all the wires to 3/4" all at once while holding them in place. Slide the RJ45 on and crimp while applying pressure on the cable to keep the conductors fully into the RJ45. If you are using CAT6A RJ45s, some come with a little guide piece to keep the wires staggered properly for insterting into the RJ45. Whatever it takes to get it done. I've terminated thousands of RJ45s so I don't even have to think about it any more. Here's a crappy little video that shows a quick and easy way to terminate a RJ45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A2lKInPAAgYou didn’t maintain the twist. That cable will fail a scan over a longer link and channel. That’s why it’s never done in a pro environment. That was a CAT6 cable terminated into a CAT5 RJ45. Other than the slight twist coming out of the sheath that is about as good as you can get by hand crimping due to the CAT5 RJ45 design. I have never seen a factory made CAT5 cable that looks much better. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/440308/20230524_184946_jpg-2827749.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/440308/20230524_185008_jpg-2827750.JPG Look how much untwisted wire the factory made CAT5 cable has due to the design of CAT5 RJ45s. With good CAT6A RJ45 ends, the little plastic guide helps keep everything in a proper position with a bit more twist maintained. Eta Just curious, do you have actual measured comparisons of the speed and bandwidth difference between a factory made CAT5 patch cable and a hand made CAT5 patch cable? I would love to see how much of a difference it makes. Cat5 died about 15-20 years ago. It’s all cat6A now. If you put homemade patch cables on a 90m link with total 100m channel it will fail category tests. That’s why you don’t do it. I see your point about CAT6A terminations and it is 100% correct but many businesses are still using CAT5 and CAT6 cabling because it is good enough for their purposes. They aren't moving massive amounts of data around because they just need basic connectivity. Plus, I live in an area with a lot of cheap bastards who don't see a need to upgrade their data infrastructure when good enough will do. Very few of my customers have any CAT6A cabling at all because they just don't need the speed or bandwidth. You obviously are in a different market. 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 7:29:57 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I see your point about CAT6A terminations and it is 100% correct but many businesses are still using CAT5 and CAT6 cabling because it is good enough for their purposes. They aren't moving massive amounts of data around because they just need basic connectivity. Plus, I live in an area with a lot of cheap bastards who don't see a need to upgrade their data infrastructure when good enough will do. Very few of my customers have any CAT6A cabling at all because they just don't need the speed or bandwidth. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: OP, your diagram shows the wiring from the top with the connector end up and the wire feeding in from the bottom of the diagram. The lock tab is on the bottom of the RJ45 in that diagram. Hint: strip about two or three inches of the sheath off, untwist the pairs (orange to the left, brown to the right, green front center, and blue back center), groom the individual conductors back and forth while pulling on them. Then arrange them while grooming some more to get them straight and into their approximate position. Then use your thumb and forefinger to hold the wires in place. Cut all the wires to 3/4" all at once while holding them in place. Slide the RJ45 on and crimp while applying pressure on the cable to keep the conductors fully into the RJ45. If you are using CAT6A RJ45s, some come with a little guide piece to keep the wires staggered properly for insterting into the RJ45. Whatever it takes to get it done. I've terminated thousands of RJ45s so I don't even have to think about it any more. Here's a crappy little video that shows a quick and easy way to terminate a RJ45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A2lKInPAAgYou didn’t maintain the twist. That cable will fail a scan over a longer link and channel. That’s why it’s never done in a pro environment. That was a CAT6 cable terminated into a CAT5 RJ45. Other than the slight twist coming out of the sheath that is about as good as you can get by hand crimping due to the CAT5 RJ45 design. I have never seen a factory made CAT5 cable that looks much better. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/440308/20230524_184946_jpg-2827749.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/440308/20230524_185008_jpg-2827750.JPG Look how much untwisted wire the factory made CAT5 cable has due to the design of CAT5 RJ45s. With good CAT6A RJ45 ends, the little plastic guide helps keep everything in a proper position with a bit more twist maintained. Eta Just curious, do you have actual measured comparisons of the speed and bandwidth difference between a factory made CAT5 patch cable and a hand made CAT5 patch cable? I would love to see how much of a difference it makes. Cat5 died about 15-20 years ago. It’s all cat6A now. If you put homemade patch cables on a 90m link with total 100m channel it will fail category tests. That’s why you don’t do it. I see your point about CAT6A terminations and it is 100% correct but many businesses are still using CAT5 and CAT6 cabling because it is good enough for their purposes. They aren't moving massive amounts of data around because they just need basic connectivity. Plus, I live in an area with a lot of cheap bastards who don't see a need to upgrade their data infrastructure when good enough will do. Very few of my customers have any CAT6A cabling at all because they just don't need the speed or bandwidth. And that’s why their network sucks. Stuck in the year 2000. What the hell are they using for APs and mgig? |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 7:30:43 PM EDT
[#42]
Why all the hate for homemade patch cables? Do you guys just suck at it? I've made quite a few and only ever had one not work properly.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 7:35:13 PM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Why all the hate for homemade patch cables? Do you guys just suck at it? I've made quite a few and only ever had one not work properly. 30 years of experience and paying me 10s of thousands of dollars to trouble shoot a problem. The problem was homemade patch cable. Don’t fuck with the physical layer. Happens all the time. But it’s easy money. “Your cabling is fucked up, pay me, thanks” |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 7:36:53 PM EDT
[#44]
Keystone jack everything! Patch cables from there! While not always an issue using crimp on jacks with solid core cable it's far more time consuming! I won't allow it at my company.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 7:43:14 PM EDT
[#45]
LOL. Didn't know there were so many people that were afraid of terminating their own cable.
They probably pay someone to change the oil in their car too. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 7:44:58 PM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted: And that’s why their network sucks. Stuck in the year 2000. What the hell are they using for APs and mgig? Mostly Ubiquiti and Meraki APs by far. Switching includes the above plus various name brand managed and unmanaged equipment with very few having actual mgig equipment (mostly gigabit at best). Getting a customer (mostly retail, hospitality, and manufacturing) to upgrade to 6A is a very hard sell here. They just don't see a need. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 7:46:48 PM EDT
[#47]
Quote HistoryQuoted: LOL. Didn't know there were so many people that were afraid of terminating their own cable. They probably pay someone to change the oil in their car too. You're not kidding I didn't realize this was the equivalent of the beans/no-beans arguments. I'm sure, once I figure it out, I'll be able to squeeze close to the 1Gbps I'm expecting out of my shitty cable jobs. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 7:58:49 PM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted: You're not kidding I didn't realize this was the equivalent of the beans/no-beans arguments. I'm sure, once I figure it out, I'll be able to squeeze close to the 1Gbps I'm expecting out of my shitty cable jobs. Yeah, I'm only getting okay transfer across my network...probably because of my shitty, home-made, patch cables.   Attached File |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 8:08:30 PM EDT
[#49]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I'm sure, once I figure it out, I'll be able to squeeze close to the 1Gbps I'm expecting out of my shitty cable jobs. Honestly man, it's not rocket surgery. It's literally sticking wires into holes. Have I fucked it up? Of course...and I figure out on which end and re-do it. I have a nice Fluke tester but a cheapo amazon one will work just fine. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/24/2023 8:08:51 PM EDT
[#50]
Quote HistoryQuoted: LOL. Didn't know there were so many people that were afraid of terminating their own cable. They probably pay someone to change the oil in their car too. There are lots of use cases where terminating an RJ45 yourself is appropriate, and I do it myself frequently at work. In wall cat6a home runs straight into a switch is not one of them. It will work if done properly, and might even last a long time before failing if no one dicks with it too often, but there are other methods that are easier to do and will result in a more reliable network that won't cause the average homeowner intermittent issues that their consumer switch won't provide adequate diagnostics to troubleshoot, assuming they even know what to look for. |
|
|
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
