Running Ethernet: Difference between revisions

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===Ethernet Cable===

These days, you should be using Cat6 or ~~better~~.

These days, you should be using Cat6 or 6A. Avoid Cat7/8 which are not real specs yet.

Cat6 is suitable for Gigabit runs up to 100 meters and 10 Gigabit up to 55 meters.

Cat5e can do Gigabit and 2.5G over shorter distances.

* Avoid CCA (Copper clad aluminum) cables;. They're allegedly less reliable and less resilient to bending.

* Avoid CCA (Copper clad aluminum) cables. They're allegedly less reliable and less resilient to bending.

* Also avoid flat cables as they typically aren't up to spec and don't use twisted pairs.

* Shielded cables are unnecessary for most installs. Apparently, you only need them if you plan to run them along power lines.

* I~~'ve had luck with~~ [https://www.ebay.com/itm/401679433529 premiertek_official's 1000 ft Pure Copper Outdoor Cat6] on eBay.

* I used [https://www.ebay.com/itm/401679433529 premiertek_official's 1000 ft Pure Copper Outdoor Cat6] on eBay.

==Tools==

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;Notes

* There are some cheap kits on amazon which include multiple items (e.g. crimper, wire stripper, tester, plugs). I ~~cannot comment on the quality of them~~.

* There are some cheap kits on amazon which include multiple items (e.g. crimper, wire stripper, tester, plugs). I did not buy those so IDK how good they are.

* The basic cable tester only ensures continuity. You should do a quick [[iperf3]] test to make sure you're getting the speeds you expect.

==Terminating Ethernet Cables==

[[File:Ethcable568b.gif | thumb | 500px | T568B (recommended)]]

[[File:Ethcable568a.gif | thumb | ~~500px~~ | T568A ~~(legacy)~~]]

[[File:Ethcable568a.gif | thumb | 250px | T568A]]

[https://incentre.net/ethernet-cable-color-coding-diagram/ Resource]

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There are two standards for terminating ethernet cables: T568A and T568B.

~~T568B is the newer standard and the one I used.~~

It doesn't matter which standard you use as long as it is consistent on both ends of the cable.

==Resources==

~~Note that these videos are several years old so they use Cat5e but the same ideas apply for Cat6.~~

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nkvbPos0dE LTT Running Outdoor Ethernet]

** For entertainment and showing how to hide runs.

@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 ===Ethernet Cable===
-These days, you should be using Cat6 or better.
+These days, you should be using Cat6 or 6A. Avoid Cat7/8 which are not real specs yet.
 Cat6 is suitable for Gigabit runs up to 100 meters and 10 Gigabit up to 55 meters.
 Cat5e can do Gigabit and 2.5G over shorter distances.
-* Avoid CCA (Copper clad aluminum) cables;. They're allegedly less reliable and less resilient to bending.
+* Avoid CCA (Copper clad aluminum) cables. They're allegedly less reliable and less resilient to bending.
+* Also avoid flat cables as they typically aren't up to spec and don't use twisted pairs.
 * Shielded cables are unnecessary for most installs. Apparently, you only need them if you plan to run them along power lines.
-* I've had luck with [https://www.ebay.com/itm/401679433529 premiertek_official's 1000 ft Pure Copper Outdoor Cat6] on eBay.
+* I used [https://www.ebay.com/itm/401679433529 premiertek_official's 1000 ft Pure Copper Outdoor Cat6] on eBay.
 ==Tools==
@@ Line 39: / Line 40: @@
 ;Notes
-* There are some cheap kits on amazon which include multiple items (e.g. crimper, wire stripper, tester, plugs). I cannot comment on the quality of them.
+* There are some cheap kits on amazon which include multiple items (e.g. crimper, wire stripper, tester, plugs). I did not buy those so IDK how good they are.
 * The basic cable tester only ensures continuity. You should do a quick [[iperf3]] test to make sure you're getting the speeds you expect.
 ==Terminating Ethernet Cables==
 [[File:Ethcable568b.gif | thumb | 500px | T568B (recommended)]]
-[[File:Ethcable568a.gif | thumb | 500px | T568A (legacy)]]
+[[File:Ethcable568a.gif | thumb | 250px | T568A]]
 [https://incentre.net/ethernet-cable-color-coding-diagram/ Resource]
@@ Line 57: / Line 58: @@
 There are two standards for terminating ethernet cables: T568A and T568B.
-T568B is the newer standard and the one I used.
 It doesn't matter which standard you use as long as it is consistent on both ends of the cable.
 ==Resources==
-Note that these videos are several years old so they use Cat5e but the same ideas apply for Cat6.
 * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nkvbPos0dE LTT Running Outdoor Ethernet]
 ** For entertainment and showing how to hide runs.