UTP Cable Wiring Nightmare

[Nemesis]

Cat 5 cable is typically unshielded twisted pair, containing four twisted wire pairs. Fast Ethernet (100Base-T) and 10Base-T use only two of these pairs, leaving two pairs unused. Gigabit Ethernet (1000Base-T) uses all four pairs.

Similar to full-duplex Fast Ethernet, 1000Base-T transmits and receives simultaneously. The difference is that 1000Base-T uses four transmit/receive pairs, each pair operating at 250M bit/sec.

In some respects, running Gigabit Ethernet on Cat 5 cabling is easier than wiring for 10/100M bit/sec Ethernet. The 1000Base-T specification provides for the automatic negotiation of link characteristics, including automatic crossed cable correction. Automatic negotiation enables successful cable connections between 1000Base-T network interface cards (NIC), hubs, switches or other devices that may operate at half-duplex when the ports are initialized.

The intelligence built into many 1000Base-T interfaces can also negotiate the proper speed to use if attached to a 100M bit/sec port by mistake. The gigabit port will operate at the highest common denominator speed thereby preventing any damage to either device interface. Using 1000Base-T NICs on servers and associated switching devices in the network allows a company to continue using its Cat 5 cable infrastructure, while providing an effective high-speed connection.

Basically check your connections, and buy a cable tester.

[rumelk]

Originally Posted by Nemesis

Basically check your connections, and buy a cable tester.

Connections have been checked and already have a cable tester which shows all is working fine....

[qasdfdsaq]

Buy a proper cable tester. I used one of these http://www.tester.co.uk/megger-sct15...le-tester-cat6

---------- Post added at 23:47 ---------- Previous post was at 23:45 ----------

Originally Posted by rumelk

Theres got to be another solution to which your probably not aware of.

The solution is your kit is faulty and you're not listening.

[rumelk]

I've taken on board that the cable roll is faulty. But what is your answer to the 5 different types of precrimped, shop brought, new cat 5 cable which is still showing 100mb ethernet?

It's not that im not listening, it's just your not very helpful with any sort of solution.

Thats the cable tester i have too, hence I decided to buy cabling from ebay.....

[Nemesis]

Hi again,

Cat 5 *could* do Gig, but generally on short lengths
Cat 5e will do Gig, as the twists on the pairs are tighter, and the specification of 5e dictates this.
Cat 6 will also do Gig, but it's expensive for a home use enviroment, lower AWG (22-24), and strict rules in crimping and bending.

On reviewing the entire thread, I would say that the cabling purchased is more likely Cat 5, maybe 5e, definately NOT 6.

Jon T captured the differences well in his post.

It's not just the rating of the cable that is the determining factor. Length and course of the cable run and quality of the connections at each end can and do effect speed.

Each of the four pairs of a UTP cable had a different twist ratio to minimize crosstalk between pairs. Obviously to terminate the cable you have the untwist each pair in order to terminate, it's this "untwisting" thats probably causing you problems.

Short cable + bit of crosstalk = still an acceptable signal to noise ratio for 1GB speeds

longer cable + bit of crosstalk = higher signal to noise ratio, so equipment negotiates down to 100Mb(as it can work with the higher SNR)

So, for Gig Networking, the minimum standard should be Cat 5e (not 5) and if you feel flush Cat 6.

As far as using Cat 5e (or 6) and the ports negotiating to 100M, this is usually indicative of the cable run being too long, a crimping error, a 100M only NIC, or bad negotiation on the switch.

More intelligent switches offer you the ability to force Gig setting, although the interfaces will go down if the cabling itself cannot handle it.

Please also note that the cheap testers will only really test the fact that you have crimped the cables correctly, the more expensive testers will actually test the entire cable for compliance to the relevant standards (Fluke, etc).

Good Luck, but you get what you pay for ....

Nem

[rumelk]

Hi Nemesis

Thank you for your reply. This is what I needed to know, as opposed to some sarcastic know it alls which are addament that cat 5 definately does gig ethernet!

i've returned back that cabling now and will purchase some cat5e cable for the rest of the cable runs and hope for the best.

What AWG would you recommend if using cat5e or even cat6?

Many Thanks

[Nemesis]

Hi rumelk,

Standard Cat 5e is 24-26 AWG, and Cat 6 is 22-24 AWG, however, for home based stuff, you really do not need CAT 6.

Nem

[MJPS]

Originally Posted by qasdfdsaq

Buy a proper cable tester. I used one of these http://www.tester.co.uk/megger-sct15...le-tester-cat6[COLOR="Silver"]

Being one of the millions of home networkers I believe I am safe in saying, we could not possible buy a five grand cable tester. I wish I could though.

[rumelk]

Originally Posted by MJPS

Being one of the millions of home networkers I believe I am safe in saying, we could not possible buy a five grand cable tester. I wish I could though.

x 2

[toonlight]

Originally Posted by rumelk

Hi Nemesis

Thank you for your reply. This is what I needed to know, as opposed to some sarcastic know it alls which are addament that cat 5 definitely does gig ethernet!

i've returned back that cabling now and will purchase some cat5e cable for the rest of the cable runs and hope for the best.

What AWG would you recommend if using cat5e or even cat6?

Many Thanks

Remember networking it isn't a nightmare but a challenge to make you ponder to get your mental juices flowing for your greater goodness + always think positive & you'll get there, ask yourself after you finished what was all the worry about in first place?
-----
Cat5 only is recommended for short lengths of gig networking as per the manufactures guidance so if you planning a network it's best over engineer it all, to future proof so you don't have mess within a few years of putting it in that's why putting one in isn't cheap in the first place but cost effective in long run over matter of years. No one should think in short term costs when planning a cat network but what do need to make it future proof for fair amount of years hence the cost saving there after.
-----
Same as you I have built my own network using cat 6 pre made cables all from cat 6 length of 20m X2 shielded. So All I did was cut off one end connect it up to the socket, plug the other shielded ethernet plug into the switch; problem sorted then cut up the others up in to short lengths & placed them where they went around the place, a ethernet pre made cable has 4 ends on it so you have 4 plugs already put on for you hence little fussing around. All cat6a in the short lengths to network devices from the sockets (all premade + shielded)
To answer the grounding topic (shielded); on how to connect it up, I've got a plain empty second-hand network box + grounded power extension; all you do run a single wire (2.5mm) from the ground off the extension in the box to the ground wire on the cable on the first socket & onwards. You're best to run all your ethernet cable though conduct as is much simpler to push or pull through all around the network points> top tip for you.

Originally Posted by Nemesis

Hi rumelk,
Standard Cat 5e is 24-26 AWG, and Cat 6 is 22-24 AWG, however, for home based stuff, you really do not need CAT 6.
Nem

It all rides on what you need your network for; do you work from home?use off site services? (cloud based); storage devices placed around the networks?

Originally Posted by MJPS

Being one of the millions of home networkers I believe I am safe in saying, we could not possible buy a five grand cable tester. I wish I could though.

Well you don't need to spend that much on a tester all I spent was under £20 for my simple tester, all you need it to tell you is; have you connected up your network or sockets right.... that all as the rest is plain sailing.

here : £11.49 > plug in with a ethernet patch lead. Look for the lights for any faults

[Jon T]

Originally Posted by toonlight

Well you don't need to spend that much on a tester all I spent was under £20 for my simple tester, all you need it to tell you is; have you connected up your network or sockets right.... that all as the rest is plain sailing.

here : £11.49 > plug in with a ethernet patch lead. Look for the lights for any faults

Unfortunately that's just a glorified continuity tester. It just indicates if there is a good DC connection with no shorts or mis-wiring. A cable could test ok with one of those testers and still fail to achieve the expected speed.

[toonlight]

Originally Posted by Jon T

Unfortunately that's just a glorified continuity tester. It just indicates if there is a good DC connection with no shorts or mis-wiring. A cable could test ok with one of those testers and still fail to achieve the expected speed.

Originally Posted by MJPS

Being one of the millions of home networkers I believe I am safe in saying, we could not possible buy a five grand cable tester. I wish I could though.

I think I'm with MJPS on this one, you get not many willing to folk out that amount for one small home network job would you....... it's not worth time in thinking about the answer Jon T unless it's your job while running a business... that quite fair wouldn't you agree. What I got did me just fine, all one is after in a home network is only one thing; Does it work ? In most cases that's all you need, plug you ethernet plug in & network all your devices that it's main function not a race to see who's got the best home network. Perfectionism never got anybody anywhere too fast just a name for themselves a bad one at best no offence buddy.

[Cobbydaler]

Originally Posted by rumelk

x 2

You can hire a professional tester for ~£200

http://www.instruments4hire.co.uk/te...FLUKE-DSP4300/

[Jon T]

Originally Posted by toonlight

it's not worth time in thinking about the answer Jon T unless it's your job while running a business

No, I don't agree at all. A cable's ability to conduct a DC voltage is no indication of it's ability to conduct an AC voltage at 100MHz+, where impedance, capacitance and mutual inductance on to different pairs become important.

As home networks start to reach higher speeds, the skill of the "home networker" must improve as well, that includes buying or renting any test equipment needed.

If you were building something yourself from brick, you'd hire/buy a cement mixer. If you were adjusting the timing on you car, you'd buy/rent a timing strobe kit.

[toonlight]

Originally Posted by Jon T

No, I don't agree at all. A cable's ability to conduct a DC voltage is no indication of it's ability to conduct an AC voltage at 100MHz+, where impedance, capacitance and mutual inductance on to different pairs become important.

As home networks start to reach higher speeds, the skill of the "home networker" must improve as well, that includes buying or renting any test equipment needed.

Well I know for one thing Jon T I won't be paying that much to tell me anything as all DIY home network builders in my mind are only after one thing something that works without too much fuss about it, simple + practical; just like expecting something you bought to work from the time you pull it out of it's box. Yes if you are working from home or a self employed & it's your backbone of earning a wage speed wise I can see a case for it other than that total waste of time.

Originally Posted by Jon T

If you were building something yourself from brick, you'd hire/buy a cement mixer. If you were adjusting the timing on you car, you'd buy/rent a timing strobe kit.

As for the rest, the "cement mixer" I could borrow one second hand cheaper than I could hire one, the "timing strobe kit" you can buy one cheaper than hiring one........ that's what friends are for; right getting back to the original topic>>>