Creating Ethernet Cable

Ethernet cabling has been the

standard in networking installation
for years. It is the fastest way of
connecting PC to a peer or to your
router or a central switch. This
section of the module will bring you
back to the procedures in creating an
Ethernet cable specifically straightthrough and cross-over.

Fabricating an Ethernet Crossover and Straight-through Cable

In an Ethernet networking
environment like in a home or an
office with multiple PCs that are
wired the computers need to be
connected to a central router to allow
data transfer. The router takes all the
bits being sent out by the computers
and relays them onto the other
devices on the network.

The straight-through Ethernet

cable is used in local area network
to connect a PC to a network hub and
router. This is the standard cable
used for almost all purposes.

A cross-over cable, on the other

hand, can be used to connect two
network devices directly, without the
need for a router in the middle. It
simply reverses some of the pins so
that the output on one computer is
being sent to the input of another.

The following items are the materials

and tools used for making Ethernet
cables:
Ethernet Cable Category 5e or
Cat5e- standard wire for cabling;
RJ45 crimpable connectors for
Cat5e;
RJ45 Crimping tool;
Wire cutter, stripper or pliers; and
Ethernet cable tester.

Cable Fabrication Procedures

Straight-Through

Cross-Over

The picture below will serve as your

guide in making the two important
Ethernet cables.

Step 1. Cut into the plastic sheath 1

inch from the end of the cut cable.
The crimping tool has a razor blade
that will do the trick with practice.

Step 2. Unwind and pair the similar

colors.

Step 3. Pinch the wires between your

fingers and straighten them out as
shown. The color order is important
to do this correctly.

Step 4. Use wire cutter to make a

straight cut across the wires 1/2 inch
from the cut sleeve to the end of
the wires.

Step 5. Push the wires into the

connector. Each wire fits into a slot in
the RJ45 connector. Note the position
of the blue plastic shielding. Also note
how the wires go all the way to the
end.

Step 6. Take view from the top.

Make sure the wires are all the way
in. There should be no short wires.

Step 7. Crimping the Cable

carefully place the connector into the
Ethernet Crimper and cinch down on
the handles tightly.

8. For a standard "Straight-Through"

cable, repeat all steps and wire color
order on the other end of cable. For a
cross-over cable - the other end will
have a different color order as shown
by the crossover picture on page 84.

9. Make sure to test the cables before

installing them. An inexpensive
Ethernet cable tester does this quite
well.

Criss-Cross Puzzle
Directions: Complete the crisscross puzzle and familiarize yourself
of the cables being described. Write
your answer in a clean sheet of paper.

CABLES

Across
1. each pair of wires is wrapped in metallic foil
3. one or more optical fibers enclosed in a sheath
or jacket
5. used to connect two devices directly
6. cable that has two or four pairs of wires
7. the standard cable used for almost all purposes
Down
1. cable that has a very thin core
2. cable that has a thicker core
4. used for telephone communications and
Ethernet networks
5. copper-cored cable