How tough is network cable?

Really odd then. I have toolless keystone jacks in the cabinet, and euromodule style faceplates around the house, using Kenable's shielded CAT6 'Outdoor Use' Copper reel. So probably very similar to you, but I've had no trouble at all.

I'm running between the house and a detached garage, so it does all go outside too.
 
AyeAyeAhoy! said:
Really odd then. I have toolless keystone jacks in the cabinet, and euromodule style faceplates around the house, using Kenable's shielded CAT6 'Outdoor Use' Copper reel. So probably very similar to you, but I've had no trouble at all.

I'm running between the house and a detached garage, so it does all go outside too.
Click to expand...
Extremely similar to what I’m working with! Identical almost! I suspect it’s all down to my general inexperience with this aspect of networking. I’ve never made cables before, never used punchdown tools, never even heard of keystone jacks till now, etc, etc
 
To be honest, I'd work to eliminate your tools and the cable as the problem first at this point.

In theory, if the reels of cable you're using is fine, then it'll be the tools that's acting up. But you can never tell, as poor odds doesn't mean it won't happen still (that both reels of cable you're using were manufacturered with a defect impacting the entire reel).

Grab a cheap working pre-made ethernet cable (so you know it's 100% working fine in the first place), cut off the ends, and attempt to get it working with your existing tools. If it still has issues, it's your tools that's the problem. Either the crimper, or the punchdown tool. If it's fine, repeat it twice more, if it's fine, you got really unlucky and your reels of cable likely has a defect that's causing issues.

Also, there are various punch down tools, I'd recommend the ones that snip off the remaining wire as you punch down, don't use those cereal box plastic ones.
 
Another attempt, another fail… I’m double checked all my connections and I’m now at a complete loss. If there’s anyone here in the Dunfermline area who could kindly donate ten minutes to show me what I’ve done wrong and how to wire the cables properly then I’d be delighted to meet them!
 
Bluecube said:
I have and the damn thing worked
Click to expand...
Have you repeated this two more times using the same cable when you trim off the working parts at the end each time? You want to eliminate your tools being the problem, and "sometimes" they work right (for whatever reason) and this can cause confusion on why it's working (when it's really only dumb luck it's working).

:: edit ::
For reference, when I started my parents place back in 15', I also attempted to make my own patch cable with the reel of cable I had obtained, but the reel was shielded (foil) cat 6 "solid core" (copper) and the RJ45 I had obtained were not suitable for solid core cables, resulting in cables that sometimes worked, sometimes didn't, etc. I abandoned the idea of making my own after that, especially given the price of Cat 6 patch cables were so cheap, so all I had to do was cable into the wall plates (using a punch down tool similar to the one suggested by others earlier in this thread that was right size and trimmed excess wire on punch down) and I was done. (Although now I look back, I'm 100% certain I missed out on the zip ties myself). Have 10g firing across all ethernet lines now going to every room. If I tried my own cables, that wouldn't even get to 1g connections (it basically would have been lucky to hit 100mbps, half the time it was just dead).
 
Last edited:
Meddling-Monk said:
Have you repeated this two more times using the same cable when you trim off the working parts at the end each time? You want to eliminate your tools being the problem, and "sometimes" they work right (for whatever reason) and this can cause confusion on why it's working (when it's really only dumb luck it's working).

:: edit ::
For reference, when I started my parents place back in 15', I also attempted to make my own patch cable with the reel of cable I had obtained, but the reel was shielded (foil) cat 6 "solid core" (copper) and the RJ45 I had obtained were not suitable for solid core cables, resulting in cables that sometimes worked, sometimes didn't, etc. I abandoned the idea of making my own after that, especially given the price of Cat 6 patch cables were so cheap, so all I had to do was cable into the wall plates (using a punch down tool similar to the one suggested by others earlier in this thread that was right size and trimmed excess wire on punch down) and I was done. (Although now I look back, I'm 100% certain I missed out on the zip ties myself). Have 10g firing across all ethernet lines now going to every room. If I tried my own cables, that wouldn't even get to 1g connections (it basically would have been lucky to hit 100mbps, half the time it was just dead).
Click to expand...
I’m not using RJ45 connectors now, just tool less keystone jacks so I’m skipping past the punch down problem for just now.
 
Bluecube said:
I’m not using RJ45 connectors now, just tool less keystone jacks so I’m skipping past the punch down problem for just now.
Click to expand...
It wouldn't matter, the point is to eliminate your tools (whatever connections you're using) OR your cable as where the likely fault is.

The fact you got it to work in any variation (short/long cable, RJ45's, wallplates, whatever) does not mean there was nothing wrong (given your history with them thus far), instead, it could mean you just got lucky and it worked at that point with that instance, but otherwise it doesn't work (otherwise it should be the same every time, but as you have stated that's clearly not the case). Hence why try it three times to make sure it does work and note down what variations were used so you can eliminate what the potential cause of the issue is.

Right now, given the wide variation of changes you've tried so far (and lack of success), it's hard to say what exactly is the issue. And without that, no real solutions other than to just keep going for pot luck each time.
 
To bring this thread to some sort of conclusion, I bought a pre terminated cable, drilled some slightly bigger holes and thread it through the various walls with some difficulty. I very, VERY glad to see the network connection is now working. I'm still mightily puzzled about all the issues I had with my own connections but I've plenty of cable, various connectors and tools to practice with now
 
Bluecube said:
Thanks for that. I’ve got something similar which seems to punch down ok. Just ended up with keystone jacks as they’re supposedly easier to use
Click to expand...
Take a photo of all of the tools you have any what you're punching down into etc.

Yes, it's part of my daily work, I've done thousands of terminations, only about ten or so have needed re-doing.
 
Bluecube said:
To bring this thread to some sort of conclusion, I bought a pre terminated cable, drilled some slightly bigger holes and thread it through the various walls with some difficulty. I very, VERY glad to see the network connection is now working. I'm still mightily puzzled about all the issues I had with my own connections but I've plenty of cable, various connectors and tools to practice with now
Click to expand...
I would be pulling that old cable out and inspecting it very carefully to find the issue, i couldn't let a puzzle like that go
 
It wasn’t an old cable. It was brand new and I cut several different lengths from it. My suspicion was with the cable but I tried another cut from another reel and had same issue. I do think it’s down to lack of experience in handling the wire connections
 
Bluecube said:
It wasn’t an old cable. It was brand new and I cut several different lengths from it. My suspicion was with the cable but I tried another cut from another reel and had same issue. I do think it’s down to lack of experience in handling the wire connections
Click to expand...

You had a go, it didn't work so you found an alternative way so all is good, just a shame there wasn't someone local to you that could give you a second pair of eyes and save you some money.

The wires appeared to be crossed on one of the toolless rj45 photos you posted and crimping well takes practise, its an aquired skill but you've got plenty of cable you can practise with now if you want to.

I've seen far worse there was a thread where someone hired a spark to run some cables for them and the cables had been joined with something like terminal strips designed for twin and earth mains cable....


Edit: correction they had used crimps not terminal strips - lol

Possible Faulty switch

Yup. This screams of electrician said "I've not done infrastructure before, I'll give it a go" Should be 24 port patch panel in a central location, with one or two ports being ran from the fibre/BT/virgin point of entry to that panel. YOU WERE ALL RIGHT!!!! DONT LET AN ELECTRICIAN DO YOUR...
forums.overclockers.co.uk forums.overclockers.co.uk
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom