| Whether you're setting up a home office, gaming | | | | for longer lengths that stay in the same place. No |
| system or computer network, you have to figure | | | | matter which cable you get, the inside will look the |
| out how to wire your Ethernet to all the | | | | same. |
| computers in your home. Store bought cables in | | | | There are eight colored wires inside the cable, |
| standard sizes can be too short to go along walls | | | | twisted together into four pairs. Usually each pair |
| or behind furniture or so long that you're left with | | | | will contain one solid wire and one white wire with |
| a tangle of extra cable. Making your own | | | | a colored stripe that matches the solid wire. The |
| Ethernet cables will allow you to make custom | | | | different kind of connectors will determine what |
| cables to fit in any room. | | | | you do with these wires. |
| If you are thrifty and savvy with technology, you | | | | The type of cat 5 connector needs to match the |
| can wire your own Ethernet cable and cat 5 | | | | type of cable, so you should pay attention to |
| connector at home. It's easier than you think. All | | | | whether the connector fits solid or braided |
| you need is a wire cutter, cable and connectors. | | | | wire. The most common cat 5 connector is called |
| You can buy cable and connectors in bulk at your | | | | RJ45, also called an eight position modular |
| local computer or electrical store, and then | | | | connector, which looks like a large phone jack. |
| connect everything together. | | | | When you have purchased your matching cable |
| When buying Ethernet cable, make sure that your | | | | and connectors, you should strip the outer casing |
| wire and connectors are rated at least category 5 | | | | of the wire to expose the colored wires inside. |
| (or cat 5), which is required for basic functions. | | | | Find a diagram that shows which colored wire |
| There are different types of cable available for | | | | connects to which pin on the cat 5 connector. |
| different functions. Braided and solid cables are | | | | Diagrams are available online or may come with |
| the major categories, and each has its uses. | | | | your cable or connectors, so check with your |
| Braided cable, used to patch cables and wire | | | | electronics retailer. Once you have wired your |
| desktops, is flexible and resilient. Solid cable is used | | | | connector to your cable, you are ready to go. |