cat 5 cable

[BuckShot]

I'm using cat 5 cable to run phone/data to my new office at work. The runs are about 120'.

I'm not getting anything at the office end, but get internet when I use a short cable in the server room.

There are other long runs in the building that work fine. I inspected the lines for cuts and kinks and it looks good. I checked the color order of the lines at both plugs at each end to be sure and they match. I replaced the plugs too. Nothing, no internet.

Ideas?

Thanks, Buck ~S~

[ImADot]

I think the recommended length limit is 100m (300 or so feet), so you should be fine with the length. Is any of the run parallel to and in close proximity (6" or less) from your electrical feed lines? Typically, you don't want power and data lines to run parallel for any real amount of distance, and if you need the paths to cross, do it at 90 degrees to each other.

[BuckShot]

Good tip, I'll check.

Thanks Dot

~S~

[Bizman]

Do you have Gigabit devices at both ends? If so, Cat5 just won't do the trick. As Dot said, 100 m/300 ft is the maximum length between two devices, which you haven't exceeded. But as just was testified in another thread, Cat5 and gigabit cards don't mix. You should have at least Cat5e, rather Cat6 cabling for the newish connections to work. I believe that the short cable you used in the server room is either Cat5e or Cat6...

[Shuffler]

Do you have Gigabit devices at both ends? If so, Cat5 just won't do the trick. As Dot said, 100 m/300 ft is the maximum length between two devices, which you haven't exceeded. But as just was testified in another thread, Cat5 and gigabit cards don't mix. You should have at least Cat5e, rather Cat6 cabling for the newish connections to work. I believe that the short cable you used in the server room is either Cat5e or Cat6...

I was going to post this same thing.

[BuckShot]

Thanks fellas. Both cables, long and short, say "cat 5" on them.

Not sure about the gigabit thing, I'll have to ask some guys at work. The laptop I'm using for testing is old.

~S~

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Thanks fellas. Both cables, long and short, say "cat 5" on them.

Not sure about the gigabit thing, I'll have to ask some guys at work. The laptop I'm using for testing is old.

~S~

Just get proper Cat6 cable it doesn't cost much per meter.

[bcadoo]

Put a cable tester on it and make sure its a good cable. If your running this through jacks pull the jacks and repunch them down.

Verify proper connectivity at every point of failure.

[Edit]. One more thing.  You can run phone over it but you have to break out the blue pair on both ends or the Ethernet will put your phone line off hook.

[68Raptor]

When you say "plugs" are you talking about Keystones in a wall plate or RJ45 connections that plug directly into your laptop? I've had more then 1 keystone have failures in them when one of my guys punched them down repeatedly or with to much force on the PDT. If it's the RJ45 plugs look very closely at the ends and make sure you have the copper wire pushed all the way in and hitting the copper blades. Another common mistake some of my newer guys have made.

A inexpensive cable tester will help as long it shows you continuity for each wire.

Cat 5, Cat5e and Cat 6 will all work for basic connection. You will still get a "link" light at both ends with a cat 5 cable just might not get the speed you are looking for.

[Meatwad]

I hate keystone jacks for everything, I have the actual wall plates and some wall biscuits here. Getting ready to redo some connections here, wallfished a lot of outlets and need to tie all the phones in. I have some punchdown blocks for the telephone and a gigabit switch for the Ethernet jacks

[BuckShot]

When you say "plugs" are you talking about Keystones in a wall plate or RJ45 connections that plug directly into your laptop? I've had more then 1 keystone have failures in them when one of my guys punched them down repeatedly or with to much force on the PDT. If it's the RJ45 plugs look very closely at the ends and make sure you have the copper wire pushed all the way in and hitting the copper blades. Another common mistake some of my newer guys have made.

A inexpensive cable tester will help as long it shows you continuity for each wire.

Cat 5, Cat5e and Cat 6 will all work for basic connection. You will still get a "link" light at both ends with a cat 5 cable just might not get the speed you are looking for.

by plugs I meant rj45 connections. I'm going to try them again. I'm not using wall boxes, I'm just hanging the line down from the ceiling.
 Thanks, buck

[68Raptor]

Be sure your crimp tools teeth are all there and in good shape also. unless you are using the EZ-RJ45s that do not need a crimper.

[Soulyss]

Be sure your crimp tools teeth are all there and in good shape also. unless you are using the EZ-RJ45s that do not need a crimper.

I love that EZRJ45 system, to that end make sure there isn't a gap between the ijacket/shielding and the RJ45 tips.

[BuckShot]

It's working now! Seems like most of the hub Ports would work with a short cable, only two with long. Go figure, the one that worked was the last one I tested.

Thanks for the tips fellas!

~S~ Buck