Just wired CAT6 and it's not working?

freakinhobo

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Nov 12, 2015
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We built a house and wired CAT6 all over. I finally got around to hardwiring our computer room abd it doesn't work. I plug the ethernet cable into the modems port 1 and no lights come on. Check in the computer room and no lights come on and nothing works. What did I do wrong?
 
Solution
If you wire your own network cables, you simply must have a network tester. They're cheap, and will show you what you did wrong 99% of the time. Without it, you're basically left guessing.

https://www.amazon.com/Zoostliss-Network-Cable-Tester-Networking/dp/B06XZYXN63/

The most common mistake made by rookie network cable installers is not using T-568A or T-568B pinouts. If you do the "obvious" thing and wire the cables solid/stripe for the four successive colors, it will not work past about 10-20 meters. The middle 4 pairs are actually split and interlaced, instead of laid out in sequence. It's done this way so in a pinch you can use network cable to carry phone signals. On a standard phone connector, the middle two wires are...

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator


Did you do the wiring and termination yourself?
Did you test your termination procedures before stringing all that wire?

Cat6 is sort of tricky.

Hopefully, you left a LOT of excess to redo the ends.
 
If you wire your own network cables, you simply must have a network tester. They're cheap, and will show you what you did wrong 99% of the time. Without it, you're basically left guessing.

https://www.amazon.com/Zoostliss-Network-Cable-Tester-Networking/dp/B06XZYXN63/

The most common mistake made by rookie network cable installers is not using T-568A or T-568B pinouts. If you do the "obvious" thing and wire the cables solid/stripe for the four successive colors, it will not work past about 10-20 meters. The middle 4 pairs are actually split and interlaced, instead of laid out in sequence. It's done this way so in a pinch you can use network cable to carry phone signals. On a standard phone connector, the middle two wires are line 1, the outer two wires are line 2.

http://www.lightorama.com/images/LOR-PINOUT.JPG
 
Solution

freakinhobo

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Nov 12, 2015
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There is extra working room.. I'll get that tool... I used 568B because thats what was suggested nowadays. I actually thought I did a good job and followed the videos and was pretty meticulous.
 

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator


Without a basic tester, you're just guessing.
 

freakinhobo

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Nov 12, 2015
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I used Cable Matters Network Jacks and crimped my own cables. The tool is coming today so I'll see if that helps as far as determining what the issue is. Right now no patch panel.. just the model from Mediacom in the network panel with the ethernet cable plugged into it (the one I made) and the other end with the jack I installed.
 
What AWG did you buy? It can be difficult to get some of the thicker stuff into RJ45. Which is why it's recommended to use keystones and patch panels.
Are you using a punch down tool for the jacks? If you are just pushing them in and putting the cover on. That likely won't work.

Have you been able to consistently make patch cables? Make sure you see the wire hit the end with the jacket on. If you can't fit the wire in without stripping the casing the plugs aren't the right size.