CIS151 Networking II Unit 1 Lab Activity

Constructing Ethernet Cabling

Objective

The student will be able to successfully make, identify, and test Cat5 cables appropriate to the network topology.

Learning Activities

                1.1 Make a crossover cable

                1.2 Make a straight cable

                1.3 Identify cables visually from an unmarked group

                1.4 Test cables for type and wire problems

Note: these skills should have been previously demonstrated by your instructor.  This lab is not meticulously detailed.  Only the key instructions are included as a refresher.

1.1 Make a crossover cable

1.       Using a precut length of wire supplied by the instructor, strip the insulation off at the ends one and a half to two inches.

2.       Separate the wire pairs, untwist them

3.       Cut off the excess piece of yarn.

4.       Reorder the pairs according to the 568A standard on one end

5.       Reorder the pairs according to the 569B standard on the other end.

6.       Straighten the wires and cut to about ½ inch from the end.

7.       Insert the wires so that the number one pin on the 568a side is accepting the Green on White wire.

8.       Crimp the cable

9.       On the568B end, insert the wires into the connector so that pin 1 is lined up with the Orange on White wire.

10.   Test the wire for shorts and mismatches

1.2  Make a straight cable

Use the same process as above with the following exception to steps 4 & 5 above:

Reorder the wire ends so that the 568B standard is one both ends

1.3  Identify Wire Types Visually.

Using cables provided by your instructor fill out the following table.  This exercise can be done in a small group or by partners.

 

1.4 Test the cables using a cable tester.

Using cables provided by your instructor, fill out the following table.  This exercise can be done in a small group or by partners.  Wires are tested by inserting the two ends into the appropriate transceiver slots on the cable tester. 

Note: Cable testers vary widely on the specific instructions, however, most are fairly straight forward and can be mastered quickly.