5/22/2022

Yeabsira Mokonnen
ATE/9596/12
Department of Software Engineering

Fundamentals of Networking LAB report/documentation report.

Submitted to: Tr. Endrais Haile

Abstract:

We attempted to build our own Ethernet cables and recreate the readymade ones
that are found in stores at relatively cheap prices. On the first exercise we built a
straight through Ethernet cable that can connect devise of different types,
Computer to a server or computer to a switch. To do this we used our wire with the
2 rj 45 connectors at the ends to act as plugs into devises. We constructed this
using the materials provided and we chose to follow the 568b color configuration
method. We were successful in building this Ethernet cable but were unable to test
it.

The second experiment was a network cable attaching a patch panel and a
keystone. Both of these devices are designed to handle multiple network ports to
connect outgoing and incoming lines, they can be a part of a LAN, where they
connect multiple computers to each other. Panels have multiple ports while each
keystone only has one by attaching both to each other we were able to expand this
system.

List of abbreviations:

LAN – local area network

RJ 45 – registered jack 45

UTP – unshielded twisted pair

TIA- telecommunications industry association

EIA – electronics industries alliance

Cat 6 – category 6

DSl – digital subscriber line

Pc - personal computer
Table of content

Description Page 4

Objective Page 5

Equipment Page 5

Design and implementation Page 5

Challenges Page 8

Conclusions Page 8

Description:
This report is on building networking crossover table, Specifically an Ethernet
crossover cable. A networking crossover cable is used to connect like devices such
as two routers, two switches or two computers. While fiber cables are used for high
speed connections and in wirings from outside to the data center.

The kind of cables used in making Ethernet crossover ae UTP cables. UTP cables
are the most common used cables in telephone wiring and LANs and have become
closely identified as Ethernet cables.

Ethernet cables, of either CAT 5 or 6, have 8 shielded multicolored wires. All the
wires are twisted to form pairs of four. There are two ways of configuring an
Ethernet cable. It can be made both straight through and crossover to make the
straight cable crossover. Straight through cable connects a computer with a cable or
DSL modem's LAN port. Crossover cable connects with a router's LAN port with
switch/hub normal port.

We use straight through cable when we want to connect two devices of different
types. (like a computer to a switch). In our case, in the lab we built a straight
through cable (despite the title of the assignment). Most cables in the lab are
straight through since we don’t often need same device connections. To make the
default straight into a crossover, the 1st wire is flipped with the 3rd and the 2nd with
the 6th.

Objectives:
  Build an Ethernet straight through cable that can connect to devise on both
ends.
 Build/ punch down a network Ethernet patch panel –keystone connection
network.
 Understand and analyze Ethernet cabling. Making our own networks.

Equipment:
 Two length of cable, Category 6. Cable length should be 0.6 to 0.9m (2 to 3 ft.)
 2 RJ-45 connectors
 RJ-45 crimping tool
 Wire cutter
 Wire stripper/slasher
 Puncher
 Piston/keystone
 Patch panel

Design and implementation:

 The first design is a straight through cable with rj-45 connectors pinned on
both ends.
 Using a wire stripper, the UTP cable’s outer cover was stripped off to reveal
the smaller wires. The stripper was placed about an inch and a half inside the
wire and turned.(about the same length as the connector).
 Each pair was then untwisted to form 8 straight wires.

Wires are arranged and pinned out (into the rj-45) using the 568 A or the
568B color codes. These are according organizations called the TIA and
EIA. They are the ones that define standards for unshielded pair cabling and
pinouts. These standards allow technicians to reliably predict other
technicians work.
 The wires were reordered and straightened out to the best of our ability using
the 568-B color code suggested by the instructor. While holding on to the
wires, the we cut off about 2 cms from the top, this gave us a uniform
closely stacked set.
 The connector was placed with the locking tab (key) on the back side. While
pressing and holding on to the key, The wires were carefully and uniformly
slid into the connector according to the order below, until the ends of the
wires were peeking out from the numbered side and the insulated jacket of
the wire has reached the connector on the other side.

Pin # Wire Color

1 White/Orange
2 Orange
3 White/Green
4 Blue
5 White/Blue
6 Green
7 White/Brown
8 Brown
568-B Color Code

 After, the connector was inserted into the crimper with the key side up, and
the crimper was squeezed until a click was heard. The key flattens a bit.
 The Same process was repeated on the other end. The end result was a
pinned out straight through cable that could form network connections /send
a ping between two different devices. (we did not test that out).
2.

 The second exercise was to form a wire connection between the patch panel
and the piston.
 A second wire was removed of its outer jacket and the plastic divider inside
the wires was also cut off.
 The wires were untwisted, straightened and color ordered in the same
manner as exercise 1.
 Instead of shortening the wires this time, we took a puncher and punched
each wire to the patch panel according to the color code indicated by the
patch pane. We used 568-b (same as last time).
 A patch panel a can support 4 sets per section. The punchers sharp side must
be on the outside of the panel so it can cut the excess wire.

 The other end was connected to the keystone ( RJ 45 keystone jack) using a
puncher.
 The piston has the same color guiding system

.
  This patch panel –keystone connection cable we made helps connect
multiple ports and networks.

Challenges:

During ex 1 the outer cover of the wire was removed a little too much. The inner
wires were exposed and too long to be sheltered in the connector and therefore
more prone to damage.

During punching, the sharp edge of the puncher we used was to dull to cut off the
wires. That caused us to punch one wire multiple times, since pulling wire with the
hand is not allowed.

We mistakenly reversed the order in the first pinning. Instead of white orange –
brown. We pinned the reverse starting from brown. That caused us to change the
other side of the pin into this new flipped arrangement since a straight through
must have similar color patterns on both ends.

Conclusions:

Our experiment and the results went as we expected. We could not implement
our initial plan of testing the networks we have made due to inconveniences. We
could have improved our design by testing out its functionality. We learned that
we can make our own Ethernet connections without need to buy easy made ones at
the store. By knowing how to build Ethernet connections we can make local LAN
connection a we desire.