Patch cords (patch cords) are called electrical or fiber optic cables that allow you to connect or connect electrical devices. These products are most widely used in the field of design and creation of local area networks. To connect switches, connect workstations to network equipment, patch cord 5e manufactured by industrial or artisanal methods is often used here. Fiber optic patch cords are also in use.
Patch cord - what is it? How does it work?
To connect disparate network components, you need to use special cables. So, to connect a PC to a DSL router or switch, you will need to prepare a network patch cord. What it is? This is a segment of a shielded or unshielded UTP cable with a length of 1.5 m or more, with RJ-45 connectors fixed on both sides of it with a crimping tool.
Such cables can be used to connect almost any component of a network environment. An exception is devices that only support fiber optic interfaces. In some local networks, there are still switches for devices working through a coaxial cable. To date, they have almost disappeared.
TIA-568A and TIA-568B Standards
There are standards for connecting such cables to other devices: TIA-568A and TIA-568B. How is patch 5e used to connect network devices? Standards determine the sequence of individual cores according to the colors inside the connector. The fact is that inside a standard UTP cable, twisted conductors are located under the insulating layer. This is where the signal is transmitted. The insulation layer covering such a conductor may have one of eight standard colors:
- Orange;
- white-orange;
- green;
- white-green;
- blue;
- white and blue;
- brown;
- white-brown.
In the TIA-568A standard, the reference order begins with white-green and green wires. In the TIA-568B variant, orange wires go first. Other differences in the sequence of conductors can be seen in the picture. When connecting connectors, some network engineers arbitrarily change the sequence of conductors. This is not recommended. It is better to follow one of the standard schemes so as not to get confused in the future.
What can I connect with a patch cable?
A cable crimped on both sides is indispensable for the system administrator. There are many devices that can be connected to the network using a patch cord. What are these devices? Their list is quite wide. Here are just the most popular options:
- line patch panels to a PC or laptop;
- computer to DSL modem;
- Switch to a router or other switch;
- computer to the hub;
- DSL modem to a router or switch;
- wireless access point to the switch with or without PoE technology.
If lc lc patch cord is used, then they usually communicate switching and routing devices with each other. This type of cable is also used to connect switches and other network equipment to patch panels.
What are the modifications of patch cords
Despite the simplicity of the device, patch cables have certain differences. So, they can be categorized as 5, 5e or 6. The figure explains which materials are used for this cable, what type of RJ-45 connectors uses a specific UTP patch cord. What does this mean in practice? Different UTP cables support different data rates. Some of them are capable of providing a large signal transmission range.
The CAT 6 cable has additional protection and prevents collisions in the network due to electrical interference and other factors. It is certified for use on Gigabit Ethernet networks. The main reason why category 6 wire is not ubiquitous is the high price. Yes, and most of the network tasks can be completely solved using a CAT 5 or CAT 5e cable.
Gigabit Ethernet Support, UTP Cable Quality Issue
There is a common misconception among buyers that they must have a CAT 6 cable in order to receive a Gigabit signal on their network. This statement is true only if cheap wires of dubious origin are purchased. Good quality Category 5e cable manufactured to the proper standards will have a gigabit signal. Its only minus is that it was not developed or certified for this. Therefore, the manufacturer does not guarantee that Category 5 cable will support Gigabit Ethernet.
In general, one of the main elements of any modern computer network is patch cord. What does this mean in practice? The fact that the stable operation of the entire network will largely depend on the quality of this product. For example, poor protection against electrical interference can lead to a large number of errors and a decrease in the data transfer rate. This must not be allowed. You need to carefully monitor the quality of the UTP cables that are used in the local network.
Fundamental differences of patch cords of categories 5 and 6
Mainly used are UTP cables of the 5th category. They are cheap, simple and reliable. If these products are made with high quality, they will even without a problem hold a gigabit signal. But sometimes you can find patch cord category 6 (approximately 3-5% of cases). What are the main differences between patch cord 5e? What kind of magic wire is used everywhere?
This product is a regular twisted pair cable segment with an RJ-45 connector at each end. Using it, the wire is inserted into the corresponding connector on the switch or on the network card of the computer. Data is transmitted in the frequency range up to 100 MHz. Such patch cords are recommended for use in structured cabling systems (SCS). So in a scientific way called local computer networks. Twisted pair of categories 5 and 5e does not have a layer of additional protection, so it can only be used in closed rooms.
What secrets does the usual patch cord still hold? What are these characteristics that make the product such a universal tool for building computer networks? The outer insulation layer protects single-wire copper conductors twisted in pairs and having a diameter of 0.52 mm. Each conductor is covered with solid polyethylene. It protects the cores from various interference and water, oxidation. The UTP cable is highly flexible, which allows you to use the most unexpected routes for laying the network.
What is the difference between a cross patch cord
Crossover network cables are a special type of mounting cords that are used for SCS devices. Their feature is a cross-sectional diagram of the connection of individual cores at the end directly with the connector. So, if the TIA-568A model is used on the one hand, then the TIA-568B circuit is used on the other.
Why use a cross patch cord? What does it give? Previously, such cables were used to communicate between computers. Today, this decision is largely outdated. There is no longer a need for cross-connect options for connecting individual PCs without switching equipment. Modern network cards have learned how to independently determine which cores are used to transmit signals, and which ones are being received. Therefore, the tasks that this network equipment should solve will be equally well performed with any type of cable.