Computer Networks

LAB

EXPERIMENT # 01: Ethernet Cabling

Name of Student: …………………………………..

Roll No.: ……………………………………………

Date of Experiment: ………………………………..

Report submitted on: ………………………………..

Marks obtained: ……………………………………

Remarks: ……………………………………………

Instructor’s Signature: ……………………………...

Computer Networks Lab Page 1

 Ethernet Cabling
1. Objective
This lab exercise is designed to give students hands on experience of
building CAT-5 UTP Ethernet patch cables.

2. Resources Required
• CAT 5 Cable - bulk Category 5, 5e or 6 cable
• RJ45 Ends
• Crimper for RJ45
• Wire Cutters - to cut and strip the cable if necessary
• Wire Stripper
• Cable Tester

3. Introduction
Network media is the actual path over which an electrical signal travels as it moves from one
component to another. There are different types of network cables such as twisted-pair cable
(electric), coaxial cable (electric), and fiber optic cable (light). This section, however, describes
only twisted pair and coaxial cables.

3.1 Twisted Pair Cable

Twisted-pair cable is a type of cabling that is used for telephone communications and
most modern Ethernet networks. A pair of wires forms a circuit that can transmit data. The pairs
are twisted to provide protection against crosstalk, the noise generated by adjacent pairs. When
electrical current flows through a wire, it creates a small, circular magnetic field around the wire.
When two wires in an electrical circuit are placed close together, their magnetic fields are the
exact opposite of each other. Thus, the two magnetic fields cancel each other out. They also
cancel out any outside magnetic fields. Twisting the wires can enhance this cancellation effect.
Using cancellation together with twisting the wires, cable designers can effectively provide self-
shielding for wire pairs within the network media. Two basic types of twisted-pair cable exist:
unshielded twisted pair (UTP) and shielded twisted pair (STP). The following sections discuss
UTP and STP cable in more detail.

3.2 UTP Cable

UTP cable is a medium that is composed of pairs of wires (see Figure 1-1). UTP cable is
used in a variety of networks. Each of the eight individual copper wires in UTP cable is covered
by an insulating material. In addition, the wires in each pair are twisted around each other.

Figure 1-1 Unshielded Twisted-Pair Cable

Computer Networks Lab Page 2

 UTP cable relies solely on the cancellation effect produced by the twisted wire pairs to
limit signal degradation caused by electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency
interference (RFI). To further reduce crosstalk between the pairs in UTP cable, the number of
twists in the wire pairs varies. UTP cable must follow precise specifications governing how
many twists or braids are permitted per meter (3.28 feet) of cable.
UTP cable often is installed using a Registered Jack 45 (RJ-45) connector (see Figure 1-
2). The RJ-45 is an eight-wire connector used commonly to connect computers onto a local-area
network (LAN), especially Ethernets.

Figure 1-2 RJ-45 Connectors

Although UTP was once considered to be slower at transmitting data than other types of
cable, this is no longer true. In fact, UTP is considered the fastest copper-based medium today.

The following summarizes the features of UTP cable:

 Speed and throughput—10 to 1000 Mbps
 Average cost per node—Least expensive
 Media and connector size—Small
 Maximum cable length—100 m (short)

3.3 Shielded Twisted-Pair Cable

Shielded twisted-pair (STP) cable combines the techniques of shielding, cancellation, and
wire twisting. Each pair of wires is wrapped in a metallic foil (see Figure 1-3). The four pairs of
wires then are wrapped in an overall metallic braid or foil, usually 150-ohm cable. As specified
for use in Ethernet network installations, STP reduces electrical noise both within the cable (pair-
to-pair coupling, or crosstalk) and from outside the cable (EMI and RFI). STP usually is installed
with STP data connector, which is created especially for the STP cable. However, STP cabling
also can use the same RJ connectors that UTP uses.

Figure 1-3 Shielded Twisted-Pair Cable

Although STP prevents interference better than UTP, it is more expensive and difficult to
install. In addition, the metallic shielding must be grounded at both ends. If it is improperly
grounded, the shield acts like an antenna and picks up unwanted signals. Because of its cost and

Computer Networks Lab Page 3

difficulty with termination, STP is rarely used in Ethernet networks. STP is primarily used in
Europe.
The following summarizes the features of STP cable:
 Speed and throughput—10 to 100 Mbps
 Average cost per node—Moderately expensive
 Media and connector size—Medium to large
 Maximum cable length—100 m (short)

When comparing UTP and STP, keep the following points in mind:
 The speed of both types of cable is usually satisfactory for local-area distances.
 These are the least-expensive media for data communication. UTP is less
expensive than STP.
 Because most buildings are already wired with UTP, many transmission standards
are adapted to use it, to avoid costly rewiring with an alternative cable type.

3.4 Coaxial Cable

Coaxial cable consists of a hollow outer cylindrical conductor that surrounds a single
inner wire made of two conducting elements. One of these elements, located in the center of the
cable, is a copper conductor. Surrounding the copper conductor is a layer of flexible insulation.
Over this insulating material is a woven copper braid or metallic foil that acts both as the second
wire in the circuit and as a shield for the inner conductor. This second layer, or shield, can help
reduce the amount of outside interference. Covering this shield is the cable jacket.

Figure 1-4 Coaxial Cable

Coaxial cable supports 10 to 100 Mbps and is relatively inexpensive, although it is more
costly than UTP on a per-unit length. However, coaxial cable can be cheaper for a physical bus
topology because less cable will be needed. Coaxial cable can be cabled over longer distances
than twisted-pair cable. For example, Ethernet can run approximately 100 meters (328 feet)
using twisted-pair cabling. Using coaxial cable increases this distance to 500m (1640.4 feet).
For LANs, coaxial cable offers several advantages. It can be run with fewer boosts from
repeaters for longer distances between network nodes than either STP or UTP cable. Repeaters
regenerate the signals in a network so that they can cover greater distances. Coaxial cable is less
expensive than fiber-optic cable, and the technology is well known; it has been used for many
years for all types of data communication.

Figure 1-5 Thinnet and BNC Connector

Computer Networks Lab Page 4

The following summarizes the features of coaxial cables:
 Speed and throughput—10 to 100 Mbps
 Average cost per node—Inexpensive
 Media and connector size—Medium
 Maximum cable length—500 m (medium)

4. Internal Structure of the UTP Cable

Here is what the internals of the cable look like:

Figure 1-6 Internal Cable Structure and Color Coding

Inside the cable, there are 8 color coded wires. These wires are twisted into 4 pairs of
wires; each pair has a common color theme. One wire in the pair being a solid or primarily solid
colored wire and the other being a primarily white wire with a colored stripe (Sometimes cable
doesn't have any color on the striped cable, the only way to tell is to check which other wire it is
twisted around). Examples of the naming schemes used are: Orange (alternatively Orange/White)
for the solid colored wire and White/Orange for the striped cable. The twists are extremely
important. They are there to counteract noise and interference. It is important to wire according
to a standard to get proper performance from the cable. The TIA/EIA-568-A specifies two wiring
standards for a 8-position modular connector such as RJ45. The two wiring standards, T568A
and T568B vary only in the arrangement of the colored pairs.

5. RJ45 Ends
The RJ45 end is an 8-position modular connector that looks like a large phone plug.
There are a couple variations available. The primary variation you need to pay attention to is
whether the connector is intended for braided or solid wire. For braided/stranded wires, the
connector has contacts that actually pierce the wire. For solid wires, the connector has fingers
which pierce the insulation and make contact with the wire by grasping it from both sides. Here
is a diagram and pinout:

Figure 1-7 RJ45 Jack and Plug Pinout

Computer Networks Lab Page 5

6. Ethernet Cable Pinouts

There are two basic cables. A straight through cable, which is used to connect to a hub or
switch, and a cross over cable used to operate in a peer-to-peer fashion without a hub/switch.
Some interfaces can cross and un-cross a cable automatically as needed, really quite nice.

Standard, Straight-Through Wiring (both ends are the same)

Straight-Through Cable Pinout for T568A

Straight-Through Cable Pinout for T568B

Computer Networks Lab Page 6

6.1 Straight Cable
You usually use straight cable to connect different type of devices. This type of cable will be
used most of the time and can be used to:
1) Connect a computer to a switch/hub's normal port.
2) Connect a computer to a cable/DSL modem's LAN port.
3) Connect a router's WAN port to a cable/DSL modem's LAN port.
4) Connect a router's LAN port to a switch/hub's uplink port (normally used for expanding
network).
5) Connect 2 switches/hubs with one of the switch/hub using an uplink port and the other
one using normal port.
If you need to check how straight cable looks like, it's easy. Both sides (side A and side B) of
cable have wire arrangement with same color.

6.2 Crossover Cable

Sometimes you will use crossover cable, it's usually used to connect same type of devices. A
crossover cable can be used to:

1) Connect 2 computers directly.

2) Connect a router's LAN port to a switch/hub's normal port. (normally used for expanding
network)
3) Connect 2 switches/hubs by using normal port in both switches/hubs.

In you need to check how crossover cable looks like; both sides (side A and side B) of cable
have wire arrangement with following different color.

Computer Networks Lab Page 7

Note: If there is auto MDI/MDI-X feature support on the switch, hub, network card or other
network devices, you don't have to use crossover cable in the situation which is mentioned
above. This is because crossover function would be enabled automatically when it's needed.

A simple UTP cable

Computer Networks Lab Page 8

Commonly used types of UTP cabling are as follows
Category 1—Used for telephone communications. Not suitable for transmitting data.
Category 2—Capable of transmitting data at speeds up to 4 megabits per second (Mbps).
Category 3—Used in 10BASE-T networks. Can transmit data at speeds up to 10 Mbps.
Category 4—Used in Token Ring networks. Can transmit data at speeds up to 16 Mbps.
Category 5—Can transmit data at speeds up to 100 Mbps.
Category 5e—Used in networks running at speeds up to 1000 Mbps (1 gigabit
per second [Gbps]).
Category 6—Typically, Category 6 cable consists of four pairs of 24 American Wire
Gauge (AWG) copper wires. Category 6 cable is currently the fastest standard for UTP.

7. Procedure to make Ethernet Cables

1. Strip off about 2 inches of the cable sheath.

2. Untwist the pairs - don't untwist them beyond what you have exposed, the more
untwisted cable you have the worse the problems you can run into.
3. Align the colored wires according to the diagrams above.
4. Trim all the wires to the same length, about 1/2" to 3/4" left exposed from the
sheath.
5. Insert the wires into the RJ45 end - make sure each wire is fully inserted to the
front of the RJ45 end and in the correct order. The sheath of the cable should
extend into the RJ45 end by about 1/2" and will be held in place by the crimp.
6. Crimp the RJ45 end with the crimper tool

Crimper tool

7. Verify the wires ended up the right order and that the wires extend to the front of
the RJ45 end and make good contact with the metal contacts in the RJ45 end.
8. Cut the cable to length - make sure it is more than long enough for your needs.
Remember, an end to end connection should not extend more than 100m (~328ft).
Try to keep cables short, the longer the cable becomes the more it may affect
performance, usually noticeable as a gradual decrease in speed and increase in
latency.
9. Repeat the above steps for the second RJ45 end.
10. If a cable tester is available, use it to verify the proper connectivity of the cable.

Computer Networks Lab Page 9

 Computer Networks Lab

LAB WORKSHEET (Lab # 1)

Q.1 What is the advantage of having twists in a twisted pair cable?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Q.2 Identify the differences between twisted pair and coaxial cables.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Q.3 Which type twisted pair cable will you use to connect?
Router to Hub, Router to Router, PC to HUB, PC to PC
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Q.4 Can you connect a hub to another hub or a switch to another switch to another
switch using a straight-through cable? Explain your answer.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Computer Networks Lab Page 10