Recently, I have been working on network cables.  These are the tools that I use.  On the left, it is a tester.  The orange colour punch tool is used to connect the cable to the jack.  The green colour tool is called crimper that is used to connect the RJ45 plug to the cable.

Network cable and the jack.

After the network cable is punch down into the jack, it looks like this.  This is not a difficult job, but concentration is important, because the colour code must be followed exactly.  Each network cable has 4 pairs of copper wires which means there are 8 wires:
1. Blue
2. Blue + White
3. Green
4. Green + White
5. Orange
6. Orang+ White
7. Brown
8. Brown + White

While I was doing the termination, I check it at least twice before I punch the wire down.  My mind is full with colour code.   Blue, White Blue, Brown, White Orange… …  :p

Usually you can find the network jack on the wall, where it allows you to connect your computer to the wall jack using a network cable.  Have you ever seen and have a close look at it?  I am the the person who make it work behind the scene by connecting it from one point to another point such as to the server.

Next, this is a RJ45 plug on a network cable.  With the tools, I can make any length of network cable.  However, if the wire is not crimped properly into the plug (for example wrong colour code or wire not inserted properly), the network will fail.  That’s why I need a tester to confirm that each cable is working properly.

This is a new type of RJ45 plug where the wires are aligned in upper and lower rows.  It is more challenging to crimp compared to the old type.

I have cut the cable where it was too long, I used it for… … 

Hmm…  It’s time to relax my mind by creating some artistic things with the wires.  Does it look better than the messed up cable? :p