CMP2007M – Networks and Network Systems Workshop 3
Workshop 4 – Ethernet Cat5e Cable Termination
In this workshop you will be making up Ethernet Cat 5e cable – straight through and cross-over. Tools and Equipment:
Crimpers
The crimp tool is used to secure the wires in the Cat 5e cable within the RJ45 connector. This tool generally has two features – crimping and also a sharp cutting tool.
The yellow tool pictured above is a wire cutting tool (it is also used as a punch down tool for keystone jackshttp://www.computercablestore.com/punch-down.aspx).
RJ45 Connector
Short for Registered Jack-45, an eight-wire connector used commonly to connect computers onto local-area networks (LAN).
RJ-45 connectors look similar to RJ-11 connectors (used in telephone systems) which are slightly thinner.
RJ45 Connector Boot
The high quality boots are ideal for providing cable identification and protection and strain relief – ensuring cable is less likely to fail by maintaining a proper bend radius.
They must be fitted prior to the crimping of the RJ45 plug on to the cable and are available in different colours.
CMP2007M – Networks and Network Systems Workshop 3
Cat 5e cable
Short for Category 5, network cabling that consists of four twisted pairs of copper wire terminated by RJ45 connectors.
Cat-5 cabling supports frequencies up to 100 MHz and speeds up to 1000 Mbps. It can be used for ATM, token ring, 1000Base-T, 100Base-T, and 10Base-T networking.
Cable Signal Tester
A cable tester is a device that is used to test the strength and connectivity of a particular type of cable.
There are a number of different types of cable testers, each able to test a specific type of cable or wire (some may be able to test several different types of cables or wires).
The cable tester can test whether a cable or wire is set up properly, connected to the appropriate source points, and if the communication strength between the source and destination is strong enough to serve its intended purpose.
CMP2007M – Networks and Network Systems
Workshop 3
Activity
1. Create a Cross-over cable
a. Test cable with cable tester
b. Connect cable between two machines
i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. vii. viii. ix. x.
Ping each machine
Disconnect cable at both ends
Split cable sheath near the middle to expose wires
Cut the blue and brown pairs and bend them out of the way of each other Reconnect the cable between the two machines
Ping each machine (should still be working)
Disconnect cable at both ends
Cut either the Green pair or the Orange pair but not both
Reconnect the cable between the two machines
Ping each machine (one of the PCs should still be able to send)
2. Create a Straight-through cable
a. Test cable with cable tester
You can check out online tutorials (links below) – or follow the steps in this tutorial. The tutorial has some content that may not be covered in online tutorials.
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Network-Cable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AijuC8Nb_E http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4B4Sep3Qpg
Making up the Ethernet cable
Step 1
First place the connect boot (facing the correct way) onto the end of the cable and push it along so that it is out of the way for working with the end of the cable.
Sept 2
Prepare the wire – using wire strippers, cut the outer cable sheath to approximately 3cm from the end of the cable. Be sure not to strip or nick the twisted wire pairs within.
NB. There may be a thin string running through the length of the cable.
If the string is exposed, you can use it to pull down against the sheath and split the sheath to the desired length, thereby leaving the inner core wires undamaged.
CMP2007M – Networks and Network Systems Workshop 3
Cut away the excess sheath. If you are satisfied that the wires remain undamaged then cut the string so it does not get in the way.
If you find that you have cut or nicked the twisted pair wires, then try this method as you should have exposed the string at this point.
Step 3
Holding the end of the cable between thumb and finger of one hand, use the other to open the wires out, untwist them, and get them fairly straight.
The reason for gently pinching the end of the cable between thumb and finger is to ensure the wires do not untwist too far.
The twists are necessary to eliminate cross talk (interference).
Step 4
Sort the wires into the correct configuration. Align the wires side by side and then insert them into the RJ45 connector the correct way around.
Step 5
Insert the RJ45 connector into the Crimping tool. Ensure the wires are to the end of the connector and seated correctly before squeezing the crimping tool handles together.
Step 6
Check the wires are secure and then slide the connector boot into place.
Step 7
Test the cable with the LAN signal tester.
CMP2007M – Networks and Network Systems Workshop 3
Plug the ends of the cable into the two parts of the tester, and switch the tester on. If the tester switch is in the ‘ON’ position, the tester will test each connector pin in sequence.
If the tester switch is in the ‘S’ position, the tester will increment the sequence slower (easier to see which pins are lighting up).
If a connector pin fails or the lights do not light sequentially, check the connector to see if the wires are correctly secured and are in the correct order.
NB. If you are making up a Crossover cable the sequence of lights will be different (3, 6, 1, 4, 5, 2, 7, 8). See the following video which illustrates the sequence for a number of configurations:
Crossover testing