Experiment No 26: Prepare and test crossover and straight
cable, CAT5, CAT6 Cable, using Crimping tools, Splicer
I. Practical Significance
In order to know computer hardware system, It is a good idea that student get familiar with
various components of computer hardware system and their functioning.
II. Relevant Program Outcomes
All POs as listed
III. Relevant Course Outcomes
Identify the layout of wired and wireless LAN environment.
IV. Practical Learning Outcomes
Prepare and test crossover and straight cable, CAT5, CAT6 Cable, using Crimping tools,
Splicer.
V. Practical Skills
Learn how to Prepare and test crossover and straight cable, CAT5, CAT6 Cable, using
Crimping tools, Splicer.
VI. Relevant Affective domain related Outcomes
a. Follow Safety Practice
b. Practice Good Handling of Equipment’s
VII. Minimum Theoretical Background
Prepare and test crossover and straight cable, CAT5,CAT6 Cable, using Crimping tools, Splicer
VIII. Resources required
CAT5, CAT6 Cable, RJ45 Crimpable Connector, Crimping tools, Splicer
IX. Procedure
1. Identify the components and explain its use.
2. Explain the physical layout of component.
X. Precautions
Handle devices carefully.
XI. Description
The Ethernet cables for connectivity in most office and home environments rely on twisted wire
pairs within an overall cable - Cat 5, Cat 6 and Cat 7 all used this format. Twisting the wires together
enables the currents to balance, i.e. in one wire the current is moving in one direction and in the
other wire of the pair the current is going in the other, enabling the overall fields around the twisted
pair to cancel.
Straight-Through Wired Cables
Straight-Through refers to cables that have the pin assignments on each end of the cable. In other
words, Pin 1 connector A goes to Pin 1 on connector B, Pin 2 to Pin 2, etc. Straight-Through wired
cables are most commonly used to connect a host to a client. When we talk about cat5e patch cables,
the Straight-Through wired cat5e patch cable is used to connect computers, printers, and other
network client devices to the router switch or hub (the host device in this instance).
Crossover Wired Cables
Crossover wired cables (commonly called crossover cables) are very much like Straight-Through
cables with the exception that TX and RX lines are crossed (they are at opposite positions on either
end of the cable). Using the 568-B standard as an example below, you will see that Pin 1 on connector
A goes to Pin 3 on connector B. Pin 2 on connector A goes to Pin 6 on connector B, etc. Crossover
cables are most commonly used to connect two hosts directly. Examples would be connecting a
computer directly to another computer, connecting a switch directly to another switch, or connecting
a router to a router. Note: While in the past, when connecting two host devices directly, a crossover
cable was required. Nowadays, most devices have auto-sensing technology that detects the cable and
device and crosses pairs when needed.
Rollover Wired Cables
Rollover wired cables, most commonly called rollover cables, have opposite Pin assignments on each
end of the cable or, in other words, it is "rolled over." Pin 1 of connector A would be connected to Pin
8 of connector B. Pin 2 of connector A would be connected to Pin 7 of connector B and so on. Rollover
cables, sometimes referred to as Yost cables are most commonly used to connect to a device's
console port to make programming changes to the device. Unlike crossover and straight-wired
cables, rollover cables are not intended to carry data but instead create an interface with the device.
Cat 5
Alternatively known as an Ethernet cable or LAN cable, a Cat 5 or category 5 is a network cable that
consists of four twisted pairs of copper wire terminated by an RJ-45 connector. The picture shows an
example of a Cat 5 cable.
Cat 5 cable is used in home and business networks, providing data transmission speeds of up to
100 MB per second. The maximum recommended length of a Cat 5 cable is 100 meters. Exceeding
this length without the aid of a bridge or other network device could cause network issues, including
data packet loss and data transmission speed degradation.
Cat 6
Cat 6 or Category 6 is a network cabling that consists of four twisted pair wires, has a data rate of
10,000 Mbps, and is used in Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet.
Cat 7
Cat 7 or Category 7 is network cabling that consists of four twisted pair wires, transmits data at a
rate of up to 10000 Mbps, and is used in Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet.
HOW TO MAKE AN ETHERNET CABLE
1. Cut into the plastic sheath about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the end of the cut cable. The crimping tool
has a razor blade that will do the trick with practice.
2. Unwind and pair the similar colors.
3. Pinch the wires between your fingers and straighten them out as shown. The color order is
important to get correct.
4. Use scissors to make a straight cut across the 8 wires to shorten them to 1/2 Inch (1.3 cm) from
the cut sleeve to the end of the wires.
5. Carefully push all 8 unstripped colored wires into the connector. Note the position of the blue
plastic sleeve. Also note how the wires go all the way to the end.
6. A view from the top. All the wires are all the way in. There are no short wires.
7. CRIMPING THE CABLE: carefully place the connector into the Ethernet Crimper and cinch down
on the handles tightly. The copper splicing tabs on the connector will pierce into each of the eight
wires. There is also a locking tab that holds the blue plastic sleeve in place for a tight compression
fit. When you remove the cable from the crimper, that end is ready to use.
8. For a standard "Straight Through" cable, repeat all steps and wire color order on the other end of
cable. For a cross-over cable, the other end will have a different color order as shown by the
crossover picture above.
Video References:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KqtH0r8stA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw8FSXx4dnU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lullzS740wI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qTS2BiRZzU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF-QLiT9DCA
