Is there an issue if cat5 (not cat5e) cable is used to connect two gigabit ports over 35m of cable? I assume it will auto-negotiate down, but to what speed (auto-negotiation can be tricky - you might end up with 10BaseT speeds).

And not a bad attempt at wiring ... a couple of pointers.

Cut off the stripping thread once you have opened the cable.

Keep the pairs twisted together as much as possible and avoid the little loops.


A couple of the IDC connections look as though the wire may not be fully home. I will insert the wire, press down to get the click and the surplus trimmed and then, without removing the tool, one or two more depressions - just to make sure.




Good to hear you used External cable - it will last.

Edited by MHC (Tue 17-May-16 10:55:48)

Not an issue as the OP has confirmed Cat5e.

Thanks, I see the error. I have copied a diagram in the sense of colours connecting where but seemingly ignored the numbers behind.

I'll give it a rewire and let you all know.
Much appreciated.

It's rather tricky as we can't see all the pin numbering. I have found a similar layout on another socket which matches the numbers I can see. If the pin numbers are arranged as

2 8
1 7
6 4
3 5

then I can see a problem. 3 & 6 should be a pair as should 4 & 5. If the numbers are arranged as above, then they aren't paired on your connector.

In any event, I'd strongly suggest you wire the connectors using the 568B systems as it makes diagnosis easier. If that doesn't work (because of an incompatibility between cat5 cables and 1000BaseT ports) then try connecting just 1/2 & 3/6 for the 100Base-TX format.

http://www.zytrax.com/tech/layer_1/cables/tech_lan.h...

You have hit a well known issue - different connector manufacturers put their IDC connections in different places for each pin. IT is not unknown for an experienced technician to wire up a large number of RJ45s to a specific scheme, following the correct pin out - then suddenly one set of outlets is a different brand and he carries on as before, totally forgetting to check pin numbers!

Hopefully you have read my hints too ...

And take a picture of the connector without wires and then the reworked connectors - will not take us long to check.

OK - I just looked at the original post which said cat5. Having looked at this some more (and not being able to see the full numbering scheme) I've found a similar type of connector and if the pin sequence echoes that, he has got g & b/w on one pair and b & g/w on another. If so, that's not good.

See my other post, The OP seems to have followed a diagram rather than the actual pin numbers. And yes, it is a case of swapped pairs, inverted pair, and split pair! At least the two ends are the same so the signals were appearing in the right place albeit with significant crosstalk.

An Ethernet cable tester from www.millsltd.co.uk is inexpensive and will highlight any issues and pinpoints the actual wires requiring attention. It is all too easy to wire up one end as 568A and the other as 568B. I think this thread said you used exterior grade cat5e but was it also armoured that is earthed? My garden SOHO office is about a 50M run laid in the same trench as the power supply but separated apart as far as possible. There is hardly any speed drop at the remote end.

In reply to a post by trolleybus:

An Ethernet cable tester from www.millsltd.co.uk is inexpensive and will highlight any issues and pinpoints the actual wires requiring attention. It is all too easy to wire up one end as 568A and the other as 568B. I think this thread said you used exterior grade cat5e but was it also armoured that is earthed? My garden SOHO office is about a 50M run laid in the same trench as the power supply but separated apart as far as possible. There is hardly any speed drop at the remote end.

URL given is out of date. Go to http://www.millsltd.com/mills-cable-tester.html instead!