Most networking devices ship with Ethernet cables that let you connect the hardware to your network. Many of these cables, however, are of a fixed length usually measuring no more than four feet. That lack of length doesn't present many placement options for devices that are not portable and usually are hard-wired to a network such as routers, switches, servers and NASes.

Of course, you can purchase longer Ethernet cables from electronic/computer stores. Buying pre-made Ethernet cables is the most practical option if you have a couple of devices to setup on a small or home network. But what if you are responsible for a large network, or several networks, as a small business tech consultant? Or, what if you need a super-long cable that you just can't find in the store? The answer is simple: Make your own cables. Ethernet cables (also known as RJ-45, patch, and network cables) are easy to make with a little practice and the right tools.


We'll show you how to make your own cables which are exactly the right length in seven steps – and even if you don't plan on making anything, you might still find it interesting to see how it's done.
Okay, on with the show...

Step 2

Get the right tools. You will need a spool of Cat5 (Cat5e is now the standard) or Cat6 (if your network is Gigabit Ethernet) cable. Cat5 or Cat6 cable can have plenum or PVC jackets. PVC cable is cheaper, but it also releases a toxic smoke if it catches on fire, so some building codes prohibit it. Plenum, on the other hand, does not release these toxic fumes. If you have no prohibitions preventing the use of PVC and are new to making Ethernet cables, your best bet is to start with PVC coated cable. It's cheaper and easier to work with because the wiring is not as soft as a Plenum cable's.






You'll also need RJ-45 plugs or "heads," plastic modular plugs that terminate both ends of the cable, a wire cutter (or a good, sharp pair of scissors), a wire stripper and an RJ-45 crimper. The crimper is used to secure the heads at each end of the wire. You can purchase crimpers, cable and plugs from a slew of online stores or computer shops.

Step 3

Cut the wire to the desired length and strip about an inch of the jacket off, exposing the four twisted pairs of inner wiring. When stripping the cable, be careful not to nick the wires. This can cause problems with the connection. Do this at both ends of the cable.

Prepare your wire for termination or "crimping". Untwist the wire. Arrange your wires based on whether you need a straight through or crossover cable. For a straight through, arrange the wires, on both ends as you are holding and looking at the cable, from left to right: White-orange, orange, white-green, blue, white-blue, green, white-brown, brown. For a cross-over cable, the wire arrangement is different at both ends. At one end, arrange as follows: White-green, green, white-orange, blue, white-blue, orange, white-brown, brown. At the other end, arrange as you would for a straight-through cable: White-orange, orange, white-green, blue, white-blue, green, white-brown, brown.

Terminate the cable at both ends. Straighten the wires out as much as possible; it will make them easier to place inside of the RJ-45 plug. Get the wires as close to one another as possible, holding them between your thumb, index, and middle fingers. Trim the wires down evenly to about a quarter of an inch. Here's the tricky part that may take some practice: Slip the wires inside of the RJ-45 plug with the clip-side down. Don't try to jam the wires in, they should slip inside the clip and fit snug. You don't want to see any wires between the plug and the jacket; you want just a bit of the jacket going into the plug. You also want to make sure each wire is making contact with the gold leads in the plug.