In this article I describe the Color coding of Ethernet cabling in Networking for CCNA Exam. Color coding of Ethernet cabling is necessary to know for providing connectivity via Ethernet in networking. Color coding of Ethernet cabling is main part of practical the networking. Ethernet provides connectivity to the networking devices in a network. An Ethernet provides physical connectivity for data transfer in a network. There are various standards of Ethernet available according to the speed and reliability.
Before going to Color coding of Ethernet cabling let’s remember the Ethernet basic concepts in networking. Ethernet works on Data link and physical layer of OSI reference model. Ethernet Cabling Types in networking is related to access the media from a device with various types of cables. The Ethernet provides connectivity between nodes and different networking devices. The most popular Ethernet connector also known as RJ45 connector. Implementation and maintains of Ethernet is very easy. Ethernet port provides speed up to gigabits per second. Ethernet is responsible for formatting and transmission of data in a predefined format. Similarly, at the receiver end the received data reformatted in a predefined format.
Working of Ethernet at a Glance for Color coding of Ethernet cabling
Ethernet belongs to IEEE standard IEEE 802.3 family. Color coding of Ethernet cabling, Ethernet working depends on both physical and data link layer. The Ethernet send and receive the bits and frame in a network. Physical layer defines the bits streaming and data link layer defines the frame streaming. Ethernet is responsible for VLAN tagging, QOS, error correction and identify the transmission problems. An Ethernet do work metallic conductor cables. Ethernet Cabling Types may be co-axial, twisted pair, CAT-6 cables and optic fibre cable.
Collision Domain and Broadcast Domain depends on Ethernet protocols. Collision and broadcast domain define by the connectivity media like hub, switch etc. The Collision and Broadcast domain defined at different layers of OSI model.
Ethernet basics for networking in detail
Mostly three Ethernet Cabling Types used in a computer network. These three types are important in view of CCNA exam. A lots of networking devices used for creating a LAN. Switches, Hub, Router, Bridge, NIC etc are commonly used in a network. Ethernet Cabling Types are of three types which provides connectivity between networking devices and endpoint devices. I brief each Ethernet Cabling Types in details. The basic Ethernet Cabling Types are Straight-through cable, Crossover cable, Rolled cable and sometimes OFC.
Straight-through and crossover cable generally made of CAT5 or CAT6 cables. Both cables have 4 twisted pair in it. Out of these 4 pairs only two pairs are used for communication in a network. The 4 pairs have distinct colour for identification. CAT5 cable provides data flow speed up to Gigabits per second for a maximum distance of 100 meter. CAT6 cable supposed to provides data flow speed upto 10 Gbps. The purpose of using these different cables is to connect the devices with each other in a network.
Straight Through Cable in Ethernet Cabling Types
Straight through Cable is use to connect the different devices with a common cable for example, host to switch or switch to router. The cable is CAT6 UTP cable the connection types on both ends remain same. As we know there are only two pairs used for communication. Two wires are used for transmitting and other two are for receiving data in a network.
Twisted pair cables are used as straight-through cable in a network to provide connectivity for devices. Generally this cable is known as patch cord which have RJ45 connectors on both end. The 8 pins on both end connectors connected in a similar pattern. This is the very common type of Ethernet Cabling Types which is used in all computer networks frequently.
Crossover Cable in Ethernet Cabling Types
Crossover cable used to connect the similar devices in a network, for example, switch to switch, router to router the reason behind that is the connector pins on both end doing same function. So we need to connect the transmitting pins at one end with receiving pins on the other end. Similar devices have the same pin for transmit data and receive the data. If we use straight through cable between two similar devices, then data can’t be sent from one to another. To overcome this drawback crossover cable created. To make cross over cable we make connections such that the transmit pin one side connects to receive pin another side. Below image show the connections of a crossover cable. Crossover cable is one of the important type of Ethernet Cabling Types in networking.
In today scenario the networking devices are intelligent devices. It may be possible that straight through cable can provide communication between two switches. It is theoretically not possible but the intelligent devices detect the type of cable and communicate accordingly. In view of CCNA exam you must exempt this feature of intelligent devices. Always use correct type cable to connect the networking devices during practical session or on simulators.
Color coding of Ethernet cabling in brief
Ethernet cabling made by CAT5 and CAT6 cables. Color coding of Ethernet cabling is the basic of networking. Both cables have the same Color wire in it. There are four twisted pairs in CAT5 an CAT6 cable. Each wire in four pairs have distinct color. Color coding of Ethernet cabling for straight through and cross over is different.
T568A and T568B color coding of ethernet cabling.
There are two standards maintained for color coding of ethernet cabling. One is T568A and another is T568B. The difference in both standards is that a pair is interchanged. Both standards are working fine. Its all upon to you which standards utilize for color code of ethernet cabling.
There are four pairs of wire in CAT5 or CAT6 cable. The color code of four wires are shown in picture below.
RJ45 connector pin sequence for color coding of ethernet cabling
RJ45 connector have 8 pins to provide connectivity in the network. You can count pin 1 to 8 from both sides but there is a fix position of pin sequence for color code of Ethernet cabling. RJ45 connector have one side pin and other side is clip. Keep the pin side upwards and towards you then the right one most is count as pin no. 1 and the left one last is pin no. 8. Below image is shown the pin number configuration.
Straight cable color coding of ethernet cabling for T568A standards
To make a straight cable following T568A standards. Below image shows the pin connectivity using color combination of CAT5 or CAT6 cable. The sequence starts with green white.
Cross over cable color coding of Ethernet cabling for T568A standards
To make a cross cable following T568A standards. Below image shows the pin connectivity using color combination of CAT5 or CAT6 cable.
Straight cable color coding of RJ45 cabling for T568B standards
To make a straight cable following T568B standards. Below image shows the pin connectivity using color combination of CAT5 or CAT6 cable. The sequence starts with green white.
Cross over cable color coding of ethernet for T568B standards
To make a cross cable following T568B standards. Below image shows the pin connectivity using color combination of CAT5 or CAT6 cable.
Both standards T568A and T568B are belongs to different country. This website is not for any individual country so you should know which standard used in your country. In CCNA exam the color code for Ethernet cabling may be ask on the reference of standards.
The main difference in both standards is swapping of orange and green pair. You must remember any one color code.
I hope you understood the color coding of RJ45 ethernet connector. for any suggestions or query you may drop a comment below or contact us. your suggestions are always welcome by us.
Appreciate it for helping out, excellent info. “Hope is the denial of reality.” by Margaret Weis.