What is RJ45 (Registered Jack-45)?

The RJ45 connector is a standard network connector that allows network devices to be connected using 4 pairs (8 wire) UTP cables.

What is RJ45 (Registered Jack-45) Connector?

RJ45 has eight pins; its use is the cable commonly used as twisted pair cable ends in computer networks. Typically used is the TIA/EIA-568-B standard, which defines the order of pins or cable connections.

Commonly used are Ethernet network cables, which generally use 8 pins (4 pairs). Other applications include telephone terminations in France and Germany, other network services such as ISDN and T1, and even RS-232.

More specifically, the RJ45 connector is used to connect computers to a local network or the Internet and is often colloquially referred to as an Ethernet cable.

RJ45 models are T-568A and T-568B, with version B being the most common.

Usually, this connector is made of plastic or metallic connections. Clear plastic is used for connectors that are manually attached to the cables so you can see if the cable colors and order are correct.

RJ-45 Cable Types

1) Straight-Through Cable

A direct network cable is used to connect unequal devices in a computer structure that includes a hub, switch, network traffic manager, or modem. In this case, both ends of the cable must have the same sorting order.

There is no difference in the connection between the 568B distribution and the 568A distribution as long as the same is used at both ends. If the 568B standard is used at one end and the 568A standard is used at the other end, it is called a crossover cable.

• Straight-Through 568A Standard

• Straight-Through 568B Standard

2) Cross Cable

A crossover cable is a cable that connects all output signals on one connector with Full-duplex input signals on the other connector.

It allows two electronic devices to be connected with full-duplex communication. So, it provides reliable transmission over an Ethernet connection.

Cross cable is used to connect two computers, for example, and you do not need to use devices such as Hubs and Switches. Another area of ​​use is to use a Cross cable to connect the Switch with the Switch and the Router with the Router.

Some network cards can provide connectivity when a regular or crossover cable is connected to them, and they automatically configure themselves to use PC/PC or PC/Switch.

The cable must have 568A at one end and 568B at the other to create a crossover cable that works with a 10/100baseT cable.

Just follow the same method to create a crossover cable that works with a 10/100/1000baseT cable.

• Cross 568A Standard

• Cross 568B Standard

Some connectors have a metal coating used as an electromagnetic shield to prevent interference. These connectors are used for network or UTP cables with electromagnetic shielding so that the cable shield also extends to the connector.

Do not confuse the RJ45 connector with the RJ11 connector because these two connectors are different from each other. The RJ11 connector has various uses and has fewer pairs, 2 pairs (4 wires).

Automatic Cross Cable

MDI/MDI-X (Medium Dependent Interface Crossover/Automatic Crossover Configuration) is specified as an optional feature in the 1000BASE-T standard, and the two-way Gigabit interface operates directly over cables.

This feature eliminates the need for crossover cables and obsoletes the uplink and manual switch selector feature found on many older hubs and switches. This significantly reduces installation errors.

While MDI/MDI-X is generally implemented, crossover cables may sometimes be required when none of the connected devices have this feature or are enabled.

Before the 1000Base-T standard, accidentally using a crossover cable to connect a device to a network often resulted in wasted time troubleshooting issues due to connection inconsistency. However, once this standard was implemented, this was no longer a concern.

Even on older 10/100 devices, many NICs, switches, and hubs automatically implement an internal crossover cable when necessary.

MDI/MDI-X features may also be called Auto Uplink, Universal Cable Recognition, and Auto-Sensing.

How to Connect RJ45 Connector?

Considering the RJ45 cable connections above, depending on your standard in a computer network, version A or B should be used.

To install an RJ45 connector on twisted-pair Ethernet cables, you must first separate both ends of the cable using a cutting tool and then tighten the connector’s threads with a Crimp by sorting the color.

RJ45 crimping pliers, which are frequently used in computer networks, are as shown in the image below;

Additionally, you can watch how to use RJ45 crimping pliers in the video below.

How To Test Its Accuracy After Preparing A Network Cable?

If you are running network cables in a large structure, you will probably need many meters of cable length. For example, when you want to prepare network cables of different lengths, you may have to manually perform the cabling process yourself, as the cables you purchase will generally cost more.

Therefore, after cutting the cable according to your structure, you can save time by preventing network problems that may occur by testing whether you have placed the RJ45 socket correctly.

Using the RJ11 and RJ45 network cable tester in the image below, you can test your cable by connecting one end of the cable you prepared to the Master part and the other end to the Remote part.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the RJ45 connector is crucial for network operation. It is also vital to know the cable types for efficient connections.

Whether in a home network or large-scale infrastructure, the correct use of RJ45 is crucial. Therefore, testing its connectors ensures reliable network connections. You can safely install RJ45 connections by following standards and best practices.