Using Cat6 as DSL Cable?

[PowerPie5000]

Hi all,

I want to replace the thin and flimsy 4m DSL cable that came with my FritzBox router for something shorter and of better quality.

My question is, can I use a standard cat6/7 patch lead as the connection between my router and the filtered VDSL wall socket? The VDSL socket accepts both RJ45 and RJ11 type connectors and my router has an RJ45 port for VDSL/WAN (not RJ11 as you commonly find on routers).

I've seen some good quality DSL cables that have an Rj45 on one end and RJ11 on the other, but they state the RJ11 is for the router end and Rj45 for the wall socket.... Are they reversable so I can use it the other way around?

I've never really looked too much in to cable details before.

Cheers!

[peterb]

There really isn’t any point in using cat 6 or above for that short length, cat5e is more flexible and will do the job just as well.

But really, because it is a short length the cable that came with the router will be fine - I doubt you will notice any difference in speed or latency.

Only two cores carry the dsl signal so if you did use an rj11/rj45 cable you would need to ensure that the correct pins are connected. You are unlikely to cause damage if they aren’t - it just won’t work.

[PowerPie5000]

Would a standard cat5e cable with rj45 connectors at both ends work fine even if all the pins don't get used? I was looking at getting some shielded cable as the current 4 metre long DSL cable affects the upload/download speed slightly when I move it. I've tried rolling it up and also leaving it unwound and it affected the data speeds and the SNR slightly according to the routers DSL info page. I think a short and shielded cable should help a bit.... The cable that came with the FritzBox is pretty thin and flimsy (cheap).

[peterb]

Yes, that should work. The pins are connected 1:1 2:2 etc (provided you haven’t got a crossover cable - and they are quite rare in these days of auto-detection switches and router)

[DanceswithUnix]

The shielding isn't so important, those RJ11 "modem" cables aren't usually twisted pair which is supposed to make the big improvement.

I have used Cat 5 in the past for ADSL (not even 5e, hence the office were throwing the reel out). Actually rewired the phone extensions with the stuff as the router was really hard to locate near the phone master socket. It made a big difference, but then I was also on more than 4m of cable.

From memory, you only use the pair in the middle on an RJ11. Looking at an ethernet connection diagram:



the middle pins there are indeed a pair, so it should work. In my current house, I took the front plate off the filtered master socket and used the two push down IDC connections inside with the plug cut off. But then I had to cut the plug off to go through a wall, so it seemed easier than crimping another plug on but it is another option that isn't obvious unless you have removed the faceplate.

Not using all the connections is fine, as long as the two you are using are a pair (or you will get really awful performance).

[peterb]

That is the T568A standard. Most common patch cables are wired T568B. The only difference is that the orange and green pairs are swapped - they are still wired 1:1, 2:2 etc but pin 1 will be orange/white, pin 2 orange, pin 3 green/white etc. Only an issue if you are going to re-terminate a patch cable.

[DanceswithUnix]

That is the T568A standard. Most common patch cables are wired T568B. The only difference is that the orange and green pairs are swapped - they are still wired 1:1, 2:2 etc but pin 1 will be orange/white, pin 2 orange, pin 3 green/white etc. Only an issue if you are going to re-terminate a patch cable.

The point was that the middle two are a twisted pair, the colours indicating which terminals are paired and twisted together down the cable. You can even wire the two the wrong way around, the modem uses high frequency AC signals and should be designed to not care about a flip in polarity (ie the 50V DC voltage should be blocked, and the maths works out the same), but if the two conductors aren't twisted around each other you may as well stick with the existing cable.

[peterb]

I know, but if theOP isn’t familiar with the technology, the difference in colour coding might be confusing.

No criticism of your description was implied or intended!

[bledd]

Personally I'd use the shortest DSL cable possible.

These ones are top quality I always use the 0.5M ones.

https://www.tandyonline.com/electron...ecoms-dsl.html

They are ADSLNation branded cables. They make faceplates etc. Awesome cable, decent price.

[usered]

+1 cat5e