[K-Wood]

Has anyone had any experience with making Cat5 jumper cables, for example to connect a computer to a router or to connect jumpers on a wiring panel? I've purchased RJ45 connectors and the appropriate crimp tool, but I'm finding that arranging the twisted pairs in the right order and properly inserting them into the connectors is quite tedious. After a few attempts I've not been able to make a working cable.


All of my jacks and patch panels are wired to the 568B standard, and they all work. Does that mean that my patch cables have to be "crossover" cables? What wiring standard is typically followed on router and NICs? Shouldn't my patch cables follow the same wiring pattern as my jacks and patch panels?


Finally, does anyone have any tips on arranging the wires and inserting them into the connectors?


Thanks!


- Ken

 

[wyrdone]

 http://www.pcnineoneone.com/howto/cat5diy1.html


And your cables probably shouldn't bee crossover cables unless the jacks are not punched correctly.


You should only need a cross over if you are connecting a computer directly to another computer with no router/Hub/Switch inbetween them.



Enjoy!

 

[ptrubey]

When making cat5 patch cables:


- isolate the twisted pairs

- put the pairs into the RJ45 jack in this order:

- wire 1 of Pair 1

- wire 2 of Pair 1

- wire 1 of Pair 2

- wire 1 of Pair 3

- wire 2 of Pair 3

- wire 2 of Pair 2

- wire 1 of Pair 4

- wire 2 of Pair 4


Do the exact same sequence on the other cable end.


Physically, strip 1" from the outer jacket, get each pair, untwist them and get the eight wires in the right order. Some wires will be longer than others since you'll have bent them around each other. Then with a wire cutter, cut all the wires to the same length (ie straight across) about 5/8" from the insultation. Then slide these wires into the RJ45 connector. Once you have inserted them, you should be able to see the wire colors and ensure that they are in the correct order. Also, all wires should be inserted to the far end of the connector.

 

[K-Wood]

Awesome, guys, thanks. Great article, btw. It appears that I was using the wrong order, and I was also failing to insert the wires all the way into the connector. I'll give it another try tonight.

- Ken

 

[Swampfox]

Why not just buy them, they aren't that expensive are they?

 

[K-Wood]

That's a legitimate question, but its almost rhetorical being asked in this forum. I have several answers, none of which are really all that convincing:

- it was late at night, and I didn't want to drive to store;

- I wanted cables of a specific length;

- I had the tools and connectors, and thought I'd attempt it;


But honestly, it's just a DIY urge, I guess. Which is why, in this forum, your question is rhetorical!

 

[dedwards]

If a visual helps, there's a nice color diagram at

http://www.tamberlane.org/swank/cabling/cabling


Personally, I find that the likelihood of success is directly proportional to the quality of your crimper. A good, ratcheting crimper costs something like $80 - $100. It's worth it if you make a lot of cables.


You can make good cables with a less expensive crimper, but it's always going to be hit or miss...


DE