rj45
When you network computers together you use rj45 cable. The rj45 cable (network cable) is plugged into the network port, usually found on the back of the computer on the I/O plate.
Crossover
A crossover cable is used when you want to network two computers together without using a hub or switch.
The crossover cable has two different ends. 568A - 568B
Straight Through
A straight through cable is used when there is a hub or switch being used in the network.
The straight through cable has two ends that are the same. 568A - 568A
How To Make a Network Cable
Items required
- rj45 cable
- rj45 connector/plug
- cable boots
- crimper
- tester
- small screwdriver
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Method
- Cut the rj45 cable to the required length. Make sure you have a little extra in case you make a mistake and have to start all over again.
- Put the boot on the cable, facing the correct way.
- Cut the plastic coating off the end of the rj45 cable. Most crimpers have a special place on them that you use to do this. You need to be very careful that you don't cut through the wires inside the cable. Even the smallest nick can cause the cable not to work. Cut the plastic off so that about 2cm of wire is exposed.
- Check there are no wires cut off or nicked.
- Unravel the wires.
- Arrange each coloured wire in the correct order. Look at the wiring chart, make sure you understand whether you are doing the straight through or crossover wiring. The picture to the right shows the wiring for a crossover cable.
- Make sure the wires are all squashed down flat then snip off the ends so they are all the same length.
- Push the wires into the rj45 connector,gold teeth facing up, this is where I find the small screwdriver is helpful to push the wires into place.
- Check that each wire is pushed right up as far as it can go inside the connector. You should be able to see the end of the wire hitting the end of the connector. Remember, the gold teeth get crimped down on top of the wire, therefore the wires must be pushed up past the gold teeth.
- Final check - make sure they are still in the right order.
- Crimp - put the wired connector into the crimper and crimp really hard. You must put quite a bit of muscle into the crimping stage so that the gold teeth are fully crimped down onto the wires.
- Put boot into place.
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