Need a better connection to the internet

[bellsnwhistles]

Please bare with me I am no expert in this area at all.

I have a Clear Box downstairs that I cannot bring upstairs. My wireless keeps disconnecting while I am upstairs. There is Ethernet Cable with no connector on the end downstairs next to the desktop PC that runs up to my room. Same on my end no connector on the wire itself (Cat5e cable) is in my room.

I have other spare Ethernet Cables complete with connector lying around which is also Cat5e. Since I cannot afford to have someone attach a connector on both ends, can I cut this cable and just wire it on both ends of the existing cable?

[glc]

No, you cannot splice Ethernet cables and you need to terminate them correctly. The cable needs to run from your router to your device.

Attach the connectors yourself, it's not difficult and the tools/ends are cheap.

Network Cable Tester with RJ-45 Crimping Tool SS35407-TEST

50-Pack RJ-45 Connectors (Clear) RJ-45-CONN-50

[David M]

Or go down to your local mom and pop computer repair shop and ask them to do it.

[bellsnwhistles]

The cable is already installed from upstairs going downstairs in a way I cannot take it anywhere without major headaches.

Right now it's just a matter of adding the connectors on both ends and using my switch box to complete the connection since the pc downstairs is already using up the only slot on the Clear box which is also downstairs next to it.

This was an unfinished job because the owner did not understand this when she hired the guy to install the cable.

The items indeed are very cheap. When I am able to, I will definitely get them or find someone to come over and do it for me.

Thanks guys

[glc]

Switch box?

Is your "Clear box" also a router? Do you have a router? Can you have more than one device running off the "Clear box" without a router?

[bellsnwhistles]

It's a Clear Modem with WiFi Model No: WIXFBR-117 no reference on it been a router or in the manual.

It has 1 RJ45 and one RJ11 connector. I was going to throw the switch in to get two simultaneous connections.

I have no separate router.

[David M]

It's not described as being a router.
http://www.clear.com/support/downloa...dem-with-wi-fi

Given that, you will want the protection that a router provides. A router will have multple ports which then eliminates the need for a switcher, unless you have two or more computers away from the router and do not want to have to run a second ethernet cable to the second remote computer...or want to go WiFi with your router, which is a little slower than hard wired.

[glc]

That is in fact a router. You need a standard Ethernet switch to connect more than one Ethernet device.

TRENDnet TE100-S5 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet Switch - Newegg.com

[David M]

Why would they make a router with what looks like one ethernet port out? I know you are correct glc and I am not arguing, but why so few ports? Isn't the purpose of a router defeated if it can only serve one computer? Doesn't the word "route" imply going in two or more directions?

[glc]

It also has wifi. I downloaded the manual and it does in fact have NAT and a DHCP server in it. It requires an external switch to serve more than one wired computer, but it can serve several wireless devices.

[tmathews]

An oversimplified definition of routing is translating traffic from one network to another. Since the Clear box has NAT and DHCP, it's handing out new addresses to the device(s) connected to it and translating between those and its address on the WAN side. Yes, it's typical to see a 4-port switch integrated with the modem/router/wireless access point but it's not required. Think of it as if they're letting you choose a switch with the number of ports you need...

[glc]

No, think of it as a cost-cutting measure and as a way to discourage Wimax bandwidth usage.

[bellsnwhistles]

Ok I kinda get the picture now but my switch is a D-Link Model No: DES-1105. I think it might be pretty much standard? I payed under $15 for it some years ago.

Thanks folks

[glc]

That switch is fine.

[bellsnwhistles]

Great! Thanks glc and everyone else. Appreciate it.

[bellsnwhistles]

My friend loaned me his crimp tool and gave me a few connectors to get started.

I tried
O/O G/BL BL/G BR/BR
But it failed to connect.

I inspected and it seems they were in the correct slot and up against the edge of the connector. I put them in with the clip facing downward. And they were crimped.

[K A Hall]

Originally Posted by bellsnwhistles My friend loaned me his crimp tool and gave me a few connectors to get started. I tried O/O G/BL BL/G BR/BR But it failed to connect. I inspected and it seems they were in the correct slot and up against the edge of the connector. I put them in with the clip facing downward. And they were crimped.

Sounds like you did it correctly. Having done these cable many times they do not always work on the first try especially if you don't have a lot of experience. So try again.
And to clarify your wire pattern and maybe you did it this way but it should be: Orange White/Orange, Green White/Blue, BlueWhite/Green, BrownWhite/Brown.
The only other reason it might not work if you get it crimped correctly is the cable is damaged and I'm not sure but it sounds like you can't physically see all of the cable.

[bob]

The rj45 connecter must match the cat5e wire. There is only a 50% chance to get it right if you do not check.
The solid wires and stranded wires have different connectors.
The pairs must also be in the right place when making the wire.
Then a Rj-11 was mentioned. That is a phone wire and will smash down the pins in the connector on your network device.

[bellsnwhistles]

It's solid wires but I won't know how to identify the different type of connectors for this wire if that is what you mean. It's a new cable the guy bought and took it out the box. Brand new.

I just got another 4 connectors from my friend for a second try.

Another thing, I watched a video and the guy did the connection exactly the same on both ends so hopefully this is correct.

I will be trying again tomorrow. Anything else I need to know before round 2 will be greatly appreciated.

btw K A Hall I googled the color code and it is as you mentioned.

[bob]

Look at it from the side. The stranded connectors have 2 points that dig into the wire. The solid has to wrap around the wire and looks like 3 points from the side

Remember the pairs in pins 1,2 3,6 - Not like you can just match both sides of the cable with the correct colors.

[bellsnwhistles]

Remember the pairs in pins 1,2 3,6 -

Yeah the "both sides color matching" thing did not make sense to me.

Will the other end be
BR/BR BL/G G/BL O/O?

The connector is 3 points.

[bob]

Note the green pair are not next to eachother.
How to wire Ethernet Cables

[bellsnwhistles]

I had to put it aside. The owner is installing a security system and internet together.

Wasn't a total lost though. I learned quite a bit.

Thanks a lot folks