RJ-45 Network Easy way to Teach

Wiring a RJ-45 Network

Lots of people have problems when trying to connect two or more computers in a local LAN. I'll explain how to connect a simple network with RJ-45 wire. If you are going to connect only and only two computers then you'll not need a (Switch or HUB) a single wire could do it, it's called a crossover wire. Else if you want more than two computers using RJ-45 then a (Switch or HUB) is needed.    Let's talk about the Difference between a Switch and a HUB. The main difference is that a in a HUB, when one computer sends a data packet to another one, the packet is send to all the computers connected to it. A HUB is slower than a Switch, because for example if you have a 64Kb/s internet connection and you use 8 computers to access internet at the same time, you'll have 64/8=8Kb/s for each computer. A Switch "remembers" where it send the last packet and it doesn't need to send it to all the other computers in the LAN. The speed is not divided using a Switch.    Conclusion: if you have some computers accessing at the network resources at the same time, then it better that you use a Switch, if you only want to play lastest 3D action game with 3 computers or you can't afford a Switch, then a HUB will work well for you.

 

Speed

There're 10Mb/s LAN cards (older ones) and 10/100Mb/s LAN cards, and there are also 10Mb/s HUBs, 10/100Mbs HUBs and 100Mb/s HUBs. Take a look at the next table to check for your network speed   LAN cards HUB Network Speed 10 10/100 10 10 100 Will not work 100 10 10 100 10/100 100 For example: If you have 10Mb/s cards connected to 10/100Mb/s HUB, your network will work at 10Mb/s. A 10/100 HUB means that you can use 10 or/and 100 LAN cards and every card will work at card speed

 

Wire order and colours

This is a very important thing to handle with, because your network will NOT work or work slower thant it could. There are some basic rules: - Use UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) Category 5 wire for 100Mb/s LANs, and also it's recommended for 10Mb/s LANS, because it's more protected and if some day you upgrade it to 100Mb/s you'll save lot of work. - Use the Right order and colours, many people make this wrong, just follow the next image for wire colours:

Standard

For a "standard" PC to HUB wire use this order AND colours: Use the same order and colors on both sides of the wire When looking at the plug the hook is on the back side   1- Orange/White 2- Orange 3- Green/White 4- Blue 5- Blue/White 6- Green 7- White/Brown 8- Brown

 

Crossover

For a "crossover" PC to PC wire use this order AND colours: Use one "standard" wiring on one side of the cable and on the other side, this "crossover" cable When looking at the plug the hook is on the back side   1- Green/White 2- Green 3- Orange/White 4- Blue 5- Blue/White 6- Orange 7- White/Brown 8- Brown