Building a LAN from scratch

[Stifko]

Hello,
Someone asked me to help build a network at a small business. They just moved into a new space and asked a contractor to run ethernet cables. How can I tell what kind of cable was snaked? Where is a good resource on the web for schemeatics on cables? I couldn't find where all the cables were run to, there is no centralized wiring closet. All I found a punchdown block for all the phone lines and the owner of the company thought thats were the ethernet lines were run too. I would have to connect all the lines to a patch panel and don't know how to pin those connections either. Cat5 is good up to 100 meters? I hope thats what was used because I would hate to have to run all new cat5. How many twisted pair in cat5? How many in a regular voice RJ cable?
any help is appreciated.

 

[JackMDS]

Excuse me for not offering a Computer like solution.

May be you should call the contrator, and ask him what he did.

 

[TBP]

<< How many twisted pair in cat5? How many in a regular voice RJ cable?
>>



can you just cut the cables and count them?

 

[mmaki]

In case JackMDS solution doesn't work,


<< How can I tell what kind of cable was snaked? >>


Look at the jacket/insulation of the cable, it should say.


<< Where is a good resource on the web for schemeatics on cables? >>


Do a search for CAT 5 cable. There are many.


<< I couldn't find where all the cables were run to, there is no centralized wiring closet. All I found a punchdown block for all the phone lines and the owner of the company thought thats were the ethernet lines were run too. I would have to connect all the lines to a patch panel and don't know how to pin those connections either. >>


Invest in a toner. It will save you many hours and headaches, and they are not expensive.


<< Cat5 is good up to 100 meters? >>


Yes, theoretically under most conditions. Watch out for runs over flourscent lights.


<< How many twisted pair in cat5? >>


4, orange, green, blue, brown. Ethernet only uses the orange/green pair.


<< How many in a regular voice RJ cable? >>


At lease one pair is all a regular analog phone needs.
Good Luck!

 

[Stifko]

yeah I should have taken apart one of the jacks and looked at the wires inside. They should also be exposed on the other side too. I will suggest that I have a word w/the contractor. thanks

 

[JackMDS]

Cat5 - 4 pairs of twisted wires usually using RJ45 plug (only two pairs usually in used for normal communication).

Most common Tel. 4 wires using RJ11 plug (only two wires usually in use for normal operation).