Build and test an Ethernet straight-through patch cable

Step 1: Obtain and prepare the cable
a. Determine the length of cable required. This could be from a device such as a computer to the device
to which it connects (like a hub or switch) or between a device and an RJ-45 outlet jack. Add at least
30.48 cm (12 in.) to the distance. The TIA/EIA standard states the maximum length is 5 m (16.4 ft.).
Standard Ethernet cable lengths are usually .6 m (2 ft.), 1.83 m (6 ft.), or 3.05 m (10 ft.).
b. Which length of cable did you choose and why did you choose this length?
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Answers will vary
c. Cut a piece of cable to the desired length. Stranded UTP cable is commonly used for patch cables
(the cables between an end network device such as a PC and an RJ-45 connector) because it is
more durable when bent repeatedly. It is called stranded because each of the wires within the cable is
made up of many strands of fine copper wire, rather than a single solid wire. Solid wire is used for
cable runs that are between the RJ-45 jack and a punch-down block.
d. Using wire strippers, remove 5.08 cm (2 in.) of the cable jacket from both ends of the cable.
Step 2: Prepare and insert the wires
a. Determine which wiring standard will be used. Circle the standard.
[T568A | T568B]
b. Locate the correct table based on the wiring standard used.
c. Spread the cable pairs and arrange them roughly in the desired order based on the standard chosen.
d. Untwist a short length of the pairs and arrange them in the exact order needed by the standard. It is
very important to untwist as little as possible. The twists are important because they provide
noise cancellation.
e. Straighten and flatten the wires between your thumb and forefinger.
f. Ensure the cable wires are still in the correct order as the standard.
g. Cut the cable in a straight line to within 1.25 to 1.9 cm (1/2 to 3/4 in.) from the edge of the cable
jacket. If it is longer than this, the cable will be susceptible to crosstalk (the interference of bits from
one wire with an adjacent wire).
h. The tang (the prong that sticks out from the RJ-45 connector) should be on the underside pointing
downward when inserting the wires. Insert the wires firmly into the RJ-45 connector until all wires are
pushed as far as possible into the connector.
Step 3: Inspect, crimp, and re-inspect
a. Visually inspect the cable and ensure the right color codes are connected to the correct pin numbers.
b. Visually inspect the end of the connector. The eight wires should be pressed firmly against the end of
the RJ-45 connector. Some of the cable jacket should be inside the first portion of the connector.
This provides strain relief for the cable. If the cable jacket is not far enough inside the connector, it
may eventually cause the cable to fail.
c. If everything is correctly aligned and inserted properly, place the RJ-45 connector and cable into the
crimper. The crimper will push two plungers down on the RJ-45 connector.


d. Visually re-inspect the connector. If improperly installed, cut the end off and repeat the process.
Step 4: Terminate the other cable end
a. Use the previously described steps to attach an RJ-45 connector to the other end of the cable.
b. Visually re-inspect the connector. If improperly installed, cut the end off and repeat the process.
c. Which standard [T568A | T568B] is used for patch cables in your school? __________________
School dependent
Step 5: Test the cable
a. Using a cable tester, test the straight-through cable for functionality. If it fails, repeat the lab.
b. (Optional) Use the cable to connect a PC to a network.
c. (Optional) Click the Start button and select the Run option.
d. (Optional) Type cmd and press Enter.
e. (Optional) From the command prompt, type ipconfig.
f. (Optional) Write down the default gateway IP address. _________________________________
Machine dependent
g. (Optional) From the command prompt, type ping followed by the default gateway IP address. If the
cable is functional, the ping should be successful (provided that no other network problem exists and
the default gateway router is connected and functional).