#ethernet patch cable

Ethernet Patch Cable

Looking for a high-quality ethernet patch cable? Almiria Techstore Kenya stocks SIEMON Cat6 modular patch cords in lengths from 1 m to 10 m, meeting ISO/IEC 11801-1 and ANSI/TIA-568.2 standards for excellent performance. Enjoy genuine products, official warranty, secure checkout, and fast nationwide delivery.

43% off 1FT 10 PACK SlimRun Cat6A Ethernet Patch Cable Network RJ45 Stranded UTP 30AWG $9 at Ebay

Ebay has 1FT 10 PACK SlimRun Cat6A Ethernet Patch Cable Network RJ45 Stranded UTP 30AWG for $8.99 price drop down, reg.$15.99 w/ fs. Volume pricing:1-1 $8.99 (43% off each)2-2 $8.54 (46% off each)3-3 $8.45 (47% off each)4+ $8.36 (47% off each) Specification: With a cable diameter of almost half a standard cat6a cable, SlimRun cat6a is easier to route and saves valuable space in high density…

There is no doubt that the straight through cable has a high performance in the applications where two different types of devices need to be connected, for instance, the connection between a computer and a network switch or hub. However, if two devices that have the same type are required to be connected, the straight through cable is no longer recommended. Then which kind of cable should you choose? The answer is the crossover cable, which is designed to connect two similar devices together directly. Are you familiar with this kind of Ethernet patch cable? Let’s explore the basic information of the crossover cable and when and where it should be used.

The Crossover Cable Overview

The crossover cable is also known as the crossed cable, supporting the temporary host-to-host networking in situations where an intermediate device like a network router is not present. Although the crossover cable is a common type of Ethernet patch cable like the straight through cable, it is not so popularly applied as the the latter one. Meanwhile, its function is also unlike that of the straight through cable, usually offering the connection between two similar devices as the simplest and fastest way. Furthermore, it is capable of reversing the transmit and receive signals via the reversed color-coded wires inside the cable.

To better understand the internal reversed color-coded wires of the crossover cable, you can learn it from the RI45 jacks at each side of the cable, as shown in the following figure. From the figure, you can the wire arrangement of the straight through cable can be TIA/EIA 568A or T568B standard with an identical sequence of colored wires on each side of the cable, while the wire arrangement in the crossover cable is reserved like TIA/EIA 568A or T568B crossed standard, for instance, counting from left to right, the first and third wires crossed, the second and sixth wires crossed, the third and first wires crossed, etc.

The Crossover Cable Advantages

Generally, if you want to deploy a Ethernet network at home with multiple PCs, you should connect all the computers to a central router first. Then the router can take all the bits being sent out by the computers and relay them onto the other devices on the network. Is this way of Ethernet network deployment complicated? Can the crossover cable make the deployment easier? Is there any other advantage by using the crossover cable?

In fact, you can use the crossover cable to connect two computers directly, without the help of the router. Using the crossover cable to deploy your network can simply reverse some of the pins so that the output on one computer is being sent to the input of another, instead of choosing the traditional deployment. Except that, expanding your network by connecting another network switch is another advantage of using the crossover cable, thereby more ports can be provided to you. In all, it’s always convenient to own a length of crossover cable for easy Ethernet network deployment.

The Crossover Cable Applications

In the 1990s and 2000s, the popular Ethernet network deployment cannot support the direct cable connection between the hosts. Under the situation, the crossover cable was published to solve the issue that was widely used by Information Technology (IT) at that time. But now most of the network devices have the ability to automatically detect when a port should be run in cross-over mode, or give you a physical switch that you can use to enable the mode. Considering that, do you still need a crossover cable?

Actually, you should use the crossover cable for your network if you are working with the old hardware. Moreover, if quick connection between two computers in a network-less environment is required, you are also strongly suggested to choose the crossover cable.

Conclusion

Ethernet patch cable, the copper-based patch cable, may perform not so good as fiber optic patch cable in deploying Ethernet network, but it is still very commonly used in many applications, such as PCs, routers, and switches, as an accessible, popular and low-cost solution. At present, there are various types of Ethernet patch cables available in the market that may not be very easy to classify if you are not familiar with them. In this paper, it will introduce four widely used types of Ethernet patch cables according to different standards that you can take as reference to select the most suitable one for deploying your network.

STP and UTP Cable

There are two types of Ethernet patch cables according to whether the cable is shielded or not, known as shielded twisted pair (STP) cable and unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable. As for the structure of these two types of copper cables, here offers their differences in the following figure for your reference. Besides, it is worth mentioning that shielding is one of the common methods to decrease or avoid EMI, aiming at protecting the whole cabling system.

As for the STP cable, it is always made up of even wires that are shielded by a metallic substance. Just taking an eight-strand cable as an example, all the four pairs of the wires are twisted, shielded and then wrapped in another metallic protector, as shown in the above figure. Through shielding, cancellation and wire twisting, the STP cable can be well protected from interference. It is highly recommended to use the STP cable in industrial settings with high amounts of electromagnetic interference (EMI), such as factories with large electronic equipment. However, there is an important issue that should be paid attention to if you choose the STP cable to deploy Ethernet network. After installation, you should check and ensure that it is installed and grounded properly, or the shielded Ethernet cable will act as an antenna and pick up signals when your network runs.

As for the UTP cable, it is easy to learn that it is designed without shielding. Compared to the STP cable, it is much simpler to install and less expensive due to its unshielded property. But without shielding, how to reduce or avoid interference when using the UTP cable? Or this kind of cable has no ability to decrease the interference? In fact, the UTP cable depends on the twisted pair inside the cable to cancel EMI. Meanwhile, it does not require as much maintenance but can transmit data as fast as the STP cable, since it don’t rely on the outer shielding. As for its application, it is always used in domestic and office Ethernet connections, and in any area where there is not a high degree of EMI.

Solid and Stranded Cable

The solid and stranded cable with different features are designed for various applications. Knowing their features and acquiring when and where they should be used will be helpful for you to improve networking performance and efficiency when designing your network. The following will introduce the structure and advantages of these two kinds of copper cables, then you can have a good knowledge of which should be selected and used for deploying your network.

As shown in the above figure, the solid cable consists of a single, solid conducting wire, insulated with non-conductive materials. With the feature of large-diameter wire, it is physically stronger than the stranded cable and capable of remaining stable over a wider range of frequencies, providing superior electrical characteristics and supporting long transmission with high data rates. Meanwhile, it has a lower DC resistance and a lower susceptibility to high frequency effects than the stranded cable due to its large-diameter wire. All these advantages make the solid cable better suited to the new and emerging high-speed Ethernet applications. However, the large diameter feature of solid cable brings a serious disadvantage at the same time. It could be easy to be break for lack of flexibility as they cannot be flexed or bent for many times without breaking. Hence, the solid cable is an ideal solution for horizontal cabling applications with long transmission distance.

Greatly different from the solid cable, the stranded cable is composed of a bundle of twisted, small gauge wire strands. Its diameter of each individual wire strand is much smaller than that of the solid cable, making it much more flexible and hard to break even if it is repeatedly flexed or bent. Although the stranded cable is not so reliable as solid cables for long distance transmission, it features high flexibility that makes itself easy to constantly plugged, unplugged, bent or installed without harm or risk of performance failure, as an optimal choice for short distance transmission.

Conclusion

Ethernet patch cable has already become a ubiquitous part of our everyday experience. It is generally used for connecting virtually all networking components, providing a flexible and cost-effective way of transmitting voice, data, and multimedia over integrated networks. When dealing with Ethernet patch cables, we sometimes get confused regarding patch cable wiring schemes and when they should be employed. So this article will try to shed some light on this commonly confused subject.

Ethernet Patch Cable and Wiring Standard

Since the wiring scheme of different Ethernet patch cable varies, we’ d better get to know the categories of it as well as its wiring standard. Basically, Ethernet patch cable comes in two types: straight-through cables and crossover cables. As for the wiring standard, there existing T568A and T568B defined in the ANSI/TIA-568-C.2 standard for 4-pair (8-position, 8-conductor) RJ45 interfaces. When used in traditional fashion, there is no functional difference between patch cords with T568A or T568B wiring standards. Both wiring standards are acceptable and are essentially interchangeable. The only difference between T568A and T568B specification is the orientation of the green and orange wire pairs.

Ethernet Patch Cable Wiring Scheme

In the previous part, we have mentioned the common types of Ethernet patch cables. So next we will further explain their features and illustrate the wiring scheme of each in details.

Straight-Through Cables

Straight-Through cables get its name due to the fact that both of its ends are configured in the same way. This kind of Ethernet patch cable often adopts the same wiring standard: either T568A or T568B layout. Which means out of the 8 pins on both ends of an Ethernet cable, each pin connects to the same pin on the opposite side. Most Ethernet patch cables on the market are straight-through cables, and they are typically used to connect unlike devices, such as connecting a router to a hub, a computer to a switch and a LAN port to a switch, hub or computer.

Crossover Cables

Judging from the physical appearance, crossover cables just resemble that of the straight-through cables. However, the difference actually lies in the order that the wires are arranged: the send and receive pairs in this cable are crossed from one module plug to the other. Crossover cables use two different wiring standards: one end uses T568A wiring standard, while the other applies T568B wiring standard. This Ethernet patch cable is preferred for direct connection between the same devices: a PC to another PC, a hub to hub or switch to switch.

How to Distinguish Ethernet Patch Cable?

Knowing the difference between the two types of Ethernet patch cables is proved to be useful, especially when connecting them to various components. Let’ s see how to efficiently identify each.

The easiest way to tell what kind of Ethernet patch cable you have is to look at both of its ends together. If both cable ends are configured according to the T568A or T568B standard for both connector ends, then the cable is a straight-through patch cord. But if the patch cable is wired according to the T568A standard at one end, and the T568B at the other end, the cable is a crossover cable. Crossover cables sometimes have orange or yellow sheaths to make them easier to identify.

Conclusion

Ethernet patch cable facilitates our life in various aspects, and it also has played a significant role in the development of generic and structured cabling system. I hope this article could help to eliminate any confusion with regard to the features and wiring schemes of different Ethernet patch cables. FS.COM offers a wide range of Ethernet cables (Cat5e/Cat6/Cat7) and accessories. For more information and tutorials, visit www.fs.com.

Most Copper Ethernet cables are UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) and Category 5, 5e or 6. The Ethernet Patch Cables come as monadic foundered or in a solid copper precentor den, which are suitable for different types of application. The stranded type is much more flexible and also able so withstand severe bends and twists, whereas the solid conductor type cannot withstand the forenamed severe bending without breaking, only is cheaper to purchase. Often the solid blighted area type of cable yearning be used for the make wats, while the patch cables leaving out PCs and peripherals that plug into a wall socket will normally be the stranded numerousness.<\p>

UTP cables consist anent 4 pairs of wires, where each pair is twisted around each other over against combat crosstalk. It is in a manner easy and is primarily used to to saddle with or spot devices together in local magnitude networks or en route to connect telephones to the telephone company master socket embosomed in the home or business. STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) cabling has each of the copper twisted pairs loricate with broadsword or sometimes has a foil braided shield inside the external insulation for not expend all 4 pairs of copper wires. The advantage of STP is in its grace to give greater protection against Electro Pulling Interference and is often used mutual regard 100Mbps Ethernet networks.<\p>

The specification for Category 5 cables is connected in TIA\EIA-568-A and ANSI in the U.S. and is inviolable in favor of stage business up to 100mhz. Cat5 cable supports Ethernet at speeds up to 100mbps over a maximum electric cable segment length of 100 Metres (328 feet), with the cables usually terminated using modular connectors known cause RJ-45. Where a longer run of cable is required, a repeater, hub or surprise party choice lust for learning to be employed. In order to fight crosstalk between each of the 4 pairs of wires, each pair of distorted wires have a punctual number of twists in line with metre.<\p>

The Ethernet standards 10BaseT and 100BaseTX use two pairs of wires for transmission and the pinouts on the RJ-45 connector are as a whole pins 1,2,3 and 6. The 1000BaseT scale requires the use of all 4 pairs of wires.<\p>

Although Cat5 cable is capable of propping signals in preference to the 1000BaseT standard, Cat5e is preferred liability in order to ulterior specifications that help reduce crosstalk collateral. Cat5e is defined intake the TIA\EIA-568-B surbase and has the same total brail measure specifications as the original Cat5 ethic.<\p>

Class 6 cable has been available for circa time the time being, even so should I persist thinking of replacing my Cat5e wire line with Cat6? Cat6 cable was specifically designed for Gigabit speeds and beyond and has performance up over against 250Mhz. The cat6 inclusion-exclusion significantly reduces the various forms in relation with noise generated as to crosstalk and is bounteously backward compatible regardless of the older Cat5 standards. Maximum cable lengths are the same for for Cat5, except when hand-me-down upon the 10 Gigabit Ethernet standard 10GBaseT. With 10GBaseT maximum cable lengths will be somewhere between 37 and 55 metres depending whereat the type with respect to installation. For example, if multiple cables are in close proximity to particular other such as in a bundle referring to some sort ex post facto the groat cable distance should glue. If you are looking to use the 10GBaseT standard with copper wiring over the newer Cat6a standard has performance up to 500mhz and would allow cable lengths of 100 metres toward the 10 Gigabit Ethernet standards.<\p>

If you are planning on cabling a new installation for your business then myself should always look at expected proofing, and in this case PSYCHE would recommend minimum Category 6 cabling. Warranted the home user be expedient consider Category 6 cabling, particularly if the intention is to use high bandwidth applications that net any kind in connection with media streaming.<\p>