Network cables

Discussion in 'Networks' started by Boycie, Dec 2, 2005.

  1. Boycie
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    Boycie Senior Beer Tester

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    Hi,

    Sounds silly (to me anyhow) but is there any rule of thumb for Cat 5 cables? In my new place there is all sorts of colours everywhere!

    I know that almost all of them are straight but can a crossover be spotted easily? The cross over in my toolbox has a sticker on both ends saying "crossover"

    Answered my own question but would like you guys opinion :oops:
     
    Certifications: MCSA 2003, MCDST, A+, N+, CTT+, MCT
  2. tripwire45
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    tripwire45 Zettabyte Poster

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    You can order Cat 5 cable in just about any sort of color (colour, in your case). I don't think there's any sort of international standard that yellow cables are straight-throughs and green cables are crossovers or anything like that.

    You can develop whatever color convention that fits your needs. I've seen places where patch cables signifying different subnets or VLANs were color coded for easy identification. Pretty much do as you feel.
     
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  3. Boycie
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    Boycie Senior Beer Tester

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    oh, i see. Thanks Trip :biggrin
     
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  4. Jakamoko
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    Jakamoko On the move again ...

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    Personally, I don't follow a colour rule, but do ensure I clearly lable any crossovers, and leave straight-thru's unlabelled as standard.

    My 2€ :)
     
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  5. AJ

    AJ 01000001 01100100 01101101 01101001 01101110 Administrator

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    The actual cable colour really means nothing. However, there is a special low smoke/fume type that is in our case purple. I also think if you see a patch lead that is pink (hmm nice :ohmy) it will probably be cross over. As always if it is x-over then it should be labelled.
     
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  6. Jakamoko
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    Jakamoko On the move again ...

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    That just sooo makes sense !!!! :biggrin

    Note: No offence intended to any gay readers, and if you are properly gay, you will understand why I think that is funny ( I hope). :)
     
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  7. hbroomhall

    hbroomhall Petabyte Poster Gold Member

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    Some years ago the place where I work instituted a colour code (pink in this colour code meant 'temporary'!).

    It took about 2 months for people to forget to use the colour code!

    As for cross-over - I have never seen any standard, but bringing the two ends together makes the cross-over pretty evident! I mark the couple of cross-over cables I have with red tape wound round each end.

    These days of Auto-MDI cross-overs don't have quite the importance that they used to have!

    Harry.
     
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  8. Bluerinse
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    Bluerinse Exabyte Poster

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    Yes Harry, it really threw me the first time I came across Auto-MDI, I couldn't for the life of me work out what the heck was going on :eek:
     
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  9. The_Geek

    The_Geek Megabyte Poster

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  10. AJ

    AJ 01000001 01100100 01101101 01101001 01101110 Administrator

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    I know this isn't perhaps what you are asking, but I did an article in CAT5 and RJ45 connectors HERE
     
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  11. Pete01

    Pete01 Kilobyte Poster

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    That's the best way to tell. Ignore the colour of the cable and look at the ends :)
     
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  12. Boycie
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    Boycie Senior Beer Tester

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    Thanks for all the input on that chaps :thumbleft
     
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  13. Bluerinse
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    Bluerinse Exabyte Poster

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    And a nice article it is too AJ 8)

    Though you might want to append it with info on Auto-MDI (auto cable detect)?
     
    Certifications: C&G Electronics - MCSA (W2K) MCSE (W2K)

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