lyonski
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Network cable not working, but tests okay
I have a Cat6 network cable that doesn't seem to work in my switch or router. The cable in question is running within the walls of the building, so it's not as simple as just switching out the cable.
I put a new end on the cable. I've used a network tester that plugs into both ends of the cable and runs through each strand 1-8 and lights up on the tester. All 8 lights come on in sequence at both ends. But when I plug the cable into the switch or the router, the lights on the front of the switch or router don't light up for the jack I plug it into. I've plugged other cables into the open jacks, and the lights come on correctly. I've plugged the cable into multiple jacks on the switch and an open jack on the router. So I'm confident the issue is in the cable. But since the tester lights up all eight lines, i'm not sure where else the issue could be. The cable worked yesterday. But then I was "cleaning" up the cable box and it stopped working. I suspected that i messed up the jack, so that's when i put a new jack on the cable. I've put two new jacks on it, so i don't think a faulty jack is the issue.
Any ideas or suggestions?
I put a new end on the cable. I've used a network tester that plugs into both ends of the cable and runs through each strand 1-8 and lights up on the tester. All 8 lights come on in sequence at both ends. But when I plug the cable into the switch or the router, the lights on the front of the switch or router don't light up for the jack I plug it into. I've plugged other cables into the open jacks, and the lights come on correctly. I've plugged the cable into multiple jacks on the switch and an open jack on the router. So I'm confident the issue is in the cable. But since the tester lights up all eight lines, i'm not sure where else the issue could be. The cable worked yesterday. But then I was "cleaning" up the cable box and it stopped working. I suspected that i messed up the jack, so that's when i put a new jack on the cable. I've put two new jacks on it, so i don't think a faulty jack is the issue.
Any ideas or suggestions?
Steven Carnahan
You don't mention if you made sure there was a device (computer, printer, etc) connected at one end? Have you checked that the NIC in the device isn't the culprit?
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ASKER
I don't see anything on my tester that would allow it to report a resistance spike. The switch and router do work with other cables. I have tried two new cable ends. Not sure if trying a third would do the trick.
The cable is connected to a tv at the other end.
The cable is connected to a tv at the other end.
Can you verify that the cable in the wall begins in a fixed wall jack (female) and ends in a fixed patch panel (also female)?
Or, is it male on both ends? If male on both ends and you have others that work, examine the one that works carefully to see the color pattern inside the male connector. Verify the one you are concerned about matches the others.
Or, is it male on both ends? If male on both ends and you have others that work, examine the one that works carefully to see the color pattern inside the male connector. Verify the one you are concerned about matches the others.
ASKER
The cable in the wall begins in a fixed wall jack and ends with a male end. I have compared the color pattern in other cables that work and it is the same. ALSO - the tester lights up 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. If i had the wires inserted into the male jack in the wrong order, the lights on the tester would come on in some other order.
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the lights on the switch only comes on when the other end is actually connected to a device.
i would use a short cable and connect a laptop / PC directly to the switch port in question right at the cabinet, issue might not be with the cable at all.
i would use a short cable and connect a laptop / PC directly to the switch port in question right at the cabinet, issue might not be with the cable at all.
Can't speak for your tester, but the Ethernet spec is usually 1- Orange/white,- 2-Orange, 3--Green/White-, 4-Blue/White-, 5-Blue-, 6-Green-, 7-Brown/White-,8-Brown-. Thus I would expect the tester to show 1,2,3,6,4,5,7,8
By using male at one end and female at the other you have caused a warp in the space time continuum and maybe opened a worm hole.
If the port on either end is sensitive to this the LEDs will not power on and no connection is made.
Try adding a female at the switch end, punching down in the same pattern as the TV end, and using a short patch cable from that to the switch.
By using male at one end and female at the other you have caused a warp in the space time continuum and maybe opened a worm hole.
If the port on either end is sensitive to this the LEDs will not power on and no connection is made.
Try adding a female at the switch end, punching down in the same pattern as the TV end, and using a short patch cable from that to the switch.
@Larry:
Don't overlook that there are two different Ethernet specs: T568A and T568B. Your example is the T568B spec. The critical pairs 1/2 and 3/6 are reversed between them. Using both standards (one on either end) should show up as a problem with his tester.
Using a male connector at one end and female at the other also shouldn't create an immediate problem as long as they are appropriately wired. The devices at either end would never know the difference.
Don't overlook that there are two different Ethernet specs: T568A and T568B. Your example is the T568B spec. The critical pairs 1/2 and 3/6 are reversed between them. Using both standards (one on either end) should show up as a problem with his tester.
Using a male connector at one end and female at the other also shouldn't create an immediate problem as long as they are appropriately wired. The devices at either end would never know the difference.
@CompProbSolv
Agreed. But afaik T568A is seldom used and just gives anyone reading this more complexity.
Agreed. But afaik T568A is seldom used and just gives anyone reading this more complexity.
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Has there been any progress made?
Krompton
Krompton
ASKER
Hmmm...I entered an explanation of what I ended up finding several days ago, but don't see it in here.
I discovered that the 8 lights on the tester would light up only if I was holding the jack firmly into the tester. If I let go of the jack, only 7 of the 8 lights would come on. So I put on another jack, and now it works.
Thanks all for your help!
I discovered that the 8 lights on the tester would light up only if I was holding the jack firmly into the tester. If I let go of the jack, only 7 of the 8 lights would come on. So I put on another jack, and now it works.
Thanks all for your help!