FAQ
TL;DR: Cat 5e links remain stable up to 100 m [TIA/EIA-568-B], and "Standard B simple." [Elektroda, hermes-80, post #19484207] —so terminate every jack in T568B and a 6.5 m run bridged by one LSA splice will work without a switch. Why it matters: Correct pinout and temperature-safe hardware prevent hidden Gigabit bottlenecks.
Quick Facts
• T568B pin order: W/O, O, W/G, B, W/B, G, W/Br, Br [TIA/EIA-568-B].
• Max Ethernet channel length: 100 m including patch leads [IEEE 802.3-2018].
• Netgear GS105/GS108 operating range: 0 – 40 °C [Elektroda, jprzedworski, post #19485959]
• Copper-clad aluminium (CCA) adds ≈20 % resistance vs solid copper [Fluke, 2020].
• IDC/LSA splice must match cable category (Cat5e/6) to keep ≤ 100 MHz NEXT [Siemon, 2019].
What pin order should I use for in-wall RJ45 sockets?
Terminate every socket in straight-through T568B: 1 W/O, 2 O, 3 W/G, 4 B, 5 W/B, 6 G, 7 W/Br, 8 Br [Elektroda, przeqpiciel, post #19484216]
Do I need crossover or straight cabling inside the walls?
Use straight cabling end-to-end. Crossover is only for connecting two identical devices without auto-MDI/MDIX, which modern routers and APs include [Elektroda, MOSFET-Serwis, post #19484215]
Is a switch required in the attic, or will an LSA splice work?
For one point-to-point link a switch is unnecessary. Punch both cables into a Cat5e/6 LSA block to bridge them; at 6.5 m total length the link tests clean [Elektroda, cheetah, #19488314].
Will the LSA connector carry Gigabit Ethernet reliably?
Yes, if the splice and cable are Cat5e or better and kept under 100 m, it will pass 1 Gb/s with headroom [TIA/EIA-568-B]. “A well-installed LSA connector has a chance of lifelong operation.” [Elektroda, cheetah, #19488180].
Which small switch is recommended if I later add more rooms?
Use an 8-port unmanaged Gigabit model like Netgear GS108; it leaves spare ports and costs only ~€10 more than the 5-port GS105 [Elektroda, KOCUREK1970, post #19486357]
Can attic temperatures damage a SOHO switch?
Typical SOHO switches are rated 0–40 °C. The attic hit 43 °C, exceeding spec and risking thermal shutdown or shortened lifespan [Elektroda, jprzedworski, post #19485959] Add ventilation or relocate hardware below 40 °C.
How do I map unmarked cables between rooms?
- Plug a tone generator into each wall jack. 2. Trace the matching conductor in the attic with a probe. 3. Label both ends before punching down. This avoids future confusion and costs under €20 for tools [Klein, 2021].
What’s the difference between RJ-45 and 8P8C?
RJ-45 is a telephony wiring keying scheme; Ethernet uses the physical 8P8C connector without the keyed tab. The names overlap in everyday speech, but documentation should say 8P8C [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #19484563]
3-step: How do I punch a cable into an LSA or keystone jack?
- Strip 25 mm of jacket, keeping twists to <13 mm near contacts. 2. Lay each pair on the color-coded slots (T568B). 3. Press with an LSA tool until it clicks and trims excess conductor [TIA/EIA-568-B].
What is the maximum cable length before signal loss?
IEEE 802.3 specifies 100 m for Cat5e/6 including patch leads; beyond this insertion loss rises >22 dB and Gigabit may drop to Fast Ethernet [IEEE 802.3-2018].
What edge cases can still break a short link?
Condensation can corrode contacts when attic air cools below 10 °C, even if temperature is within range [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #19488341] Use a sealed junction box with desiccant in humid spaces.
Why did replacing a range extender with a wired AP improve speed?
Range extenders halve Wi-Fi throughput because they retransmit on the same channel, while a wired backhaul gives the AP full channel capacity; users report “light-years” faster nets after switching [Elektroda, Mickdundee, post #19488345]
