DIY Ethernet cables

red eye · 30 Apr 2018 at 00:05

I got some non shielded and shielded plugs. The pairs are a smaller diameter then the holes in the cable guide thing on the shielded plug so the wires swap places.

I need to run about 30-50m from router downstairs to second WiFi router upstairs to replace power plugs.

I have terminated around 60m length with the shielded plugs.
plugged into upstairs power plug and and router and getting file transfer of 8MBs and 80mbs download. Downstairs router to upstairs router I get, “Ethernet” doesn’t have a valid IP configuration.

I’m guessing dodgy plug so I’m going to swap to un shielded plugs. Do I need shielded for a 50m run?

The plan is run a length from downstairs router to under the stairs to a switch then to upstairs router.

bremen1874 · 30 Apr 2018 at 00:15

The plugs should match the cable. If you're using shielded Cat5e cable you'd use shielded Cat5e plugs.

For this you wouldn't usually be putting plugs on. Solid core cable and wall mounted faceplates at both ends are the better option. Then use patch cables from the wall sockets to the devices.

You don't need shielded cable for this.

neodude · 30 Apr 2018 at 09:10

Are you using the correct type of cable? Generally, stranded core cable is what you want for crimped connectors (Although I believe you get connectors designed for solid core). As above the best idea would be to use solid core cable between wall mounted faceplates.

red eye · 30 Apr 2018 at 09:13

bremen1874 said:
The plugs should match the cable. If you're using shielded Cat5e cable you'd use shielded Cat5e plugs.

For this you wouldn't usually be putting plugs on. Solid core cable and wall mounted faceplates at both ends are the better option. Then use patch cables from the wall sockets to the devices.

You don't need shielded cable for this.

I’m still in the planning stage. I terminated both ends to see if I can get better download and file transfer speeds before I start messing with the walls.

I just unplugged from downstairs router and plugged it into upstairs power plug and I’m now getting “doesn’t have a valid up config. Just have to find a way to get my multi meter probes to reach the pins

red eye · 30 Apr 2018 at 09:36

neodude said:
Are you using the correct type of cable? Generally, stranded core cable is what you want for crimped connectors (Although I believe you get connectors designed for solid core). As above the best idea would be to use solid core cable between wall mounted faceplates.

I thought I got solid core but turned out it was stranded, cat 6a u/ftp lazh patch (impulse buy) no matter I need to make some custom length patch cables I’ll just have a surplus of 50m.

I think I’ll use this for now just need to find what’s wrong with the cable. I’ll know how exactly how much solid core I’ll need, then figure out the wall plates when I get round to decorating the rest of downstairs

red eye · 30 Apr 2018 at 10:23

You can get mod plugs for solid core, I have some here...... I ordered the wrong plugs for the wrong cable.

Is the shielding absolutely necessary? Will it affect performance on a 60+ metre run if I swap the shielded plugs for non shielded?
As I said it’s only a temporary fix I will be getting a suitable permanent replacement when I redecorate

xb8browney · 30 Apr 2018 at 10:33

I had some issues with poor quality cable that wouldn't sync at 1gbps speed. Bought some better quality cable and re-terminated the ends and bingo.

bledd · 30 Apr 2018 at 10:57

Shielded plugs will work fine with un-shielded cable.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ethernet-Internet-Broadband-Connection-Capability-White-blue/dp/B004BVIIAS/
Get this and check that 1-8 light up on both ends in the same order. It's cheap, but fine for basic cable checking.

Is it stranded or solid core cable? solid core is the best to use for this.
I would just buy this and some standard jacks https://www.netstoredirect.com/cat5e-cable/50518-excel-cat5e-utp-cable-pvc-outer-sheath.html I've installed miles and miles of this, never had a single issue with it.

Also consider terminating the cable into these each end..
https://www.netstoredirect.com/cat5e-modules/27-excel-cat5e-utp-rj45-loaded-faceplates.html

That way, you have a static box that can't be tugged or damaged. Then use shop bought patch cables from each box to router/switches.

You won't need shielded in a home environment.

APM · 1 May 2018 at 13:29

switch off dhcp on the upstairs router.

red eye · 9 May 2018 at 19:13

APM said:
switch off dhcp on the upstairs router.

DHCP is off upstairs and id is the same on both. Only problem I have is that I can’t log into the upstairs router not that I ever needed to.

Anyway downloading a game on uplay I’m getting an extra 1MB/s with the 60+m cat6.
I don’t know what speeds I’m getting sending a blu ray rip to my htpc as the drive could be seen by openelec. I reformatted and now I need permission to transfer a rip. 3TB took ages so now I’m looking at raid, I have a feeling my old mono with 6 SATA ports is either not going to be enough or going to be expensive replacing with bigger drives.

bremen1874 · 9 May 2018 at 19:19

A 3TB transfer is going to take at least an hour over a Gigabit connection.

red eye · 9 May 2018 at 19:31

bledd said:
Shielded plugs will work fine with un-shielded cable.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ethernet-Internet-Broadband-Connection-Capability-White-blue/dp/B004BVIIAS/
Get this and check that 1-8 light up on both ends in the same order. It's cheap, but fine for basic cable checking.

Is it stranded or solid core cable? solid core is the best to use for this.
I would just buy this and some standard jacks https://www.netstoredirect.com/cat5e-cable/50518-excel-cat5e-utp-cable-pvc-outer-sheath.html I've installed miles and miles of this, never had a single issue with it.

Also consider terminating the cable into these each end..
https://www.netstoredirect.com/cat5e-modules/27-excel-cat5e-utp-rj45-loaded-faceplates.html

That way, you have a static box that can't be tugged or damaged. Then use shop bought patch cables from each box to router/switches.

You won't need shielded in a home environment.

thanks for the links, are the face plates standard power plug size? I don’t fancy fitting a back box in the wall although it seems that when the house was renovated they used plaster board with an air gap, I managed to fit trunking for keypad cable when I installed the alarm

red eye · 9 May 2018 at 19:47

bremen1874 said:
A 3TB transfer is going to take at least an hour over a Gigabit connection.

Miles better than 40min for 40gb transfer. I was getting around 180mbs I think hdd to hdd transfer, wish I ditched the plugs when I ripped my 30 disc collection when I first started