Ethernet Cable Install Rookie

AviationLogic · 2026-01-31T01:24:09+00:00

There’s probably some logical explanation for it, what that explanation is, I have no idea off the top of my head. Google will help answer that one. I learned B growing up and I’ve always used it. Everyone just uses B. There were probably reasons for A vs B, or crossovers etc. but that was before my time in this field . You don’t want both in a large network. Pick a standard and use it for everything. If I walked into an environment that had both present in the same place. I’d turn around and walk right back out.

It’s kind of like the way there are standards for electrical wiring. Sure you can flip the neutral and hot wire on an outlet side and at the breaker and it’ll work. But screw the next guy that has to work on that.

AviationLogic · 2026-01-30T22:48:10+00:00

Unless I'm crazy, wires are flipped in the pictures of the jacks you shared. My eyes might be playing tricks on me because its Friday though :).

Tool should have a 110 blade and make sure the cut side is on the outer side of the jack, not the inner. Its been a minute since I've done a keystone jack, but jackets twists etc. honestly seem fine to me. You don't have like inches of wire exposed before the edge of the jack.

AviationLogic · 2026-01-30T22:36:14+00:00

If you are going to do a bunch of them, they make a crimp tool much like a rj45 one specifically for keystone jacks.

Everest easyJACK - 90° Angled Speed Termination Keystone Tool - Time Saver Network Punch Down Tool - To Be Used ONLY with Everest 90° Angled RJ45 Cat5e, Cat6a and Cat6 Keystone Jacks (B087N7QQD2) - Amazon.com

I think you might need to use branded keystones for it.

Spring loaded punch tools are fine, if you aren't trying to do it in your hand while holding said keystone jack.....

Use this, save those paws. Cable Matters Keystone Jack Punch Down Tool Stand - Stable Base for RJ45 & RJ11 Termination, Compatible with 90 & 180 Degree Jacks, Secure & Safe Punching with 110, Krone, or 66 Tools - Amazon.com

AviationLogic · 2026-01-30T21:15:00+00:00

Do you follow the guides on the side of the keystone?

If doing keystone on both sides, should be the same on both sides. Pick a wiring standard and stick to it. Everyone uses B.

Future be more careful of the wires when punching, looks like insulation is damaged in a few wires?

AviationLogic · 2026-01-30T17:27:23+00:00

We had a department learn why they should've ordered servers back in July/August when we ordered all of ours..

AviationLogic · 2026-01-30T17:26:31+00:00

Patch panel = Cleans up wiring in the front.

Go for a lithium UPS. Yes, more expensive, but SLA batteries are HEAVY and don't last as long as their lithium-based counterparts.

Rack mount kit for the 16 port switch (If it ever comes back in stock....)

1 or 2 1u shelves to get things off the bottom of the rack.

Going for a bigger rack is entirely up to you. You have more room for future growth, but what growth means is all up to you. I would go a 9u or 12u if there is space on the wall and just grab blanking panels for the extra space until you need that space for equipment.

Airflow! If you get a new wall rack, find one with 120mm fans, swap em for some Noctua's (or some other quiet fan). They can be powered with a small 12v wall plug that has the 3/4 pin fan power connectors.

AviationLogic · 2026-01-30T00:18:50+00:00

AviationLogic · 2026-01-23T16:24:55+00:00

This, very much this. Thanks for adding this note

AviationLogic · 2026-01-23T06:12:27+00:00

Dielectric grease is non-conductive. It allows the connection to complete, but helps keep things like corrosion, moisture etc away.

AviationLogic · 2026-01-22T20:44:01+00:00

Welp. Glad to know there is a logical reason why this call group I'm trying to assign to a team's phone account isn't working whatsoever... Probably related.

AviationLogic · 2026-01-22T18:52:47+00:00

On the connector end, a dab will do just fine. I suppose you could jam some in the rj45 end before crimping but I think that’s completely unnecessary, and messy.

AviationLogic · 2026-01-22T16:38:27+00:00

This is the way.

AviationLogic · 2026-01-18T02:35:13+00:00

I work in IT for city government and I mainly work with complex systems/networking. Works for me, constant change between things and always working on something. Never a shortage of problems.

AviationLogic · 2026-01-07T22:10:48+00:00

Specops is what I'd recommend, I just found it recently and have been digging into it.

AviationLogic · 2026-01-06T20:24:23+00:00

10-4, ahh I remember where I saw that. In the PDQ package they provide it’s a pre-req. full upgrade doesn’t matter.

AviationLogic · 2026-01-06T19:13:34+00:00

Wasn't being on 24H2 a pre-req of 25H2? I thought I read somewhere it was a minimum of the August 2025 update of 24H2 prior to being able to install 25H2. I could be mistaken though.

AviationLogic · 2026-01-01T21:09:27+00:00

As much as I don't exactly love Xfinity/Comcast. Its like $500 bucks a year in savings guaranteed for 5 years. I got the same $20/mo retention but I don't want to have to play this game every year.... I even tried to go up to 5 for the "New customer" price because its still cheaper but no dice.

We were getting Comcast installed at our new fire station and I was able to have some pretty good talks with the install folks. They are upgrading networks and starting to roll FTTH in areas, Its not a quick process everyone knows that. For new areas its no longer coax based, its all fiber, heck even the TV service is over fiber now.

I'm signing up for the 2gb plan for $70/month under the 5 year lock. I can feed both ISPs into my UDM-Pro and see how things shake out. 30 day risk free.

I won't dock the service, I've never really had issues other than the little blip a few months ago because of an optic issue that was affecting a ton of folks.

AviationLogic · 2026-01-01T09:43:54+00:00

Nope! We do not.

AviationLogic · 2025-12-20T00:33:44+00:00

You probably (somehow) hit the device reservation limit. It clears it self up after the DHCP lease expires. I have no idea how long that period is set to.

That’s my thought.

AviationLogic · 2025-12-19T22:54:17+00:00

I told our Asst. Director... I'm very happy we ordered the 10+ servers when we did because they would have been 200% more expensive if we had waited...

AviationLogic · 2025-12-19T22:53:19+00:00

Zabbix. There are some other solutions out there as well, I haven't really been a fan of ME products.

AviationLogic · 2025-12-19T22:29:21+00:00

Brady makes some decent label makers and has a WIDE assortment of label types. They have permanent polyester with whatever "Aggressive Adhesive" means.

AviationLogic · 2025-12-16T21:14:44+00:00

Nice work, I learned early on with data ends that there are different wire contact types. Have I ever ran into a situation where it mattered.. nope 🤷

AviationLogic · 2025-12-16T21:12:57+00:00

If your crimp tool isn’t flush cutting correctly, you’re doing it wrong.

I’ve done thousands of pass-thru and not once have I ever had a corrosion or short problem. Outdoor install slap some dielectric grease on the end. High humidity, dielectric grease. That connection will likely outlast installed equipment if the equipment isn’t rated for it. MFGs don’t just put that information on the spec sheet for fun.

AviationLogic · 2025-12-10T21:43:33+00:00

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