Monthly Archives: July 2023

In today's digital era, where Wi-Fi and wireless connectivity tend to steal the spotlight, the humble Ethernet cable still holds a crucial role in maintaining a sturdy and reliable internet connection. Many folks might wonder, what does an Ethernet cable look like? In this blog post, we'll dive into the aesthetics and design of an Ethernet cable to help you identify and understand its function better.

A Basic Overview

An Ethernet cable, also referred to as a network cable, is a type of cable used to connect computers, routers, switches, and other devices within a local area network (LAN). This cable facilitates data exchange within the network, contributing to the efficiency of your internet experience.

The Appearance

The Ethernet cable resembles a larger telephone cord and typically comes in different colors – blue, black, grey, yellow, and even red, to name a few. These color variations don't affect the cable's performance but can help users to organize and differentiate various network connections.

Ethernet cables consist of several intertwined pairs of copper wire, each encased in a protective layer of insulation, all wrapped together inside a flexible outer jacket. The size of the Ethernet cable can range from a few inches to hundreds of feet, depending on the needed application.

The Connector

One of the most identifiable parts of an Ethernet cable is the connector at each end – known as an RJ45 connector. This clear, rectangular plug is slightly wider than a traditional phone jack (RJ11). The connector has eight gold pins, which match up with the eight internal wires of the cable. When you plug the connector into a device, you'll usually hear a small click as

Perhaps no device does so much work for so little money than a patch panel. With its array of ports on one labeled, easy-to-see panel, this wonder component centralizes and organizes network connections. It simplifies maintenance and future upgrades and even lets you connect one network to another.

This blog post lists seven ways you can benefit by using patch panels. We conclude with brief information about four Cat6a patch panels we recently added to our extensive line of patch panels, patch panel accessories, and other cable management devices.

7 Benefits of Patch Panels

Ethernet patch panels offer several benefits in network infrastructure management. Here are some key advantages:

• Cable organization: Patch panels provide a centralized location for terminating and managing Ethernet cables. They typically have multiple ports where cables can be connected and labeled. This organization reduces cable clutter, simplifies troubleshooting, and makes it easier to identify and trace specific connections.
• Flexibility and scalability: Patch panels enable flexible and scalable network configurations. By using patch cables, you can easily reconfigure or modify connections between devices without having to rerun new cables. This flexibility is especially beneficial in situations where devices or network layouts change frequently, such as in data centers or office environments.
• Improved network performance: Properly terminated Ethernet

Office space isn’t exactly cheap these days. Organizations are looking for ways to get the most from their square footage, especially in cramped IT rooms and closets.

Most everybody has discovered that wall-mount rack enclosures are a great way to fit more IT gear in a room with no more available floor space. But there is another type of product that allows you to truly maximize what little space you might have left: vertical wall-mount enclosures.

Wall-Hugging Top-Loaders

A vertical rack is top-loading – it turns your 19-inch-wide components 90 degrees so that they face the ceiling. In such an orientation they do not stick out from a wall some 2 or 3 feet like horizontal racks do. A 2U vertical enclosure extends only about 5 inches and a 6U needs less than a foot. And yet they are tall enough, up to 35.4 inches inside in SMC’s line of verticals, to hold your deepest components.

SMC’s vertical enclosures have most of the features of our horizontals, such as:

• For cooling, air vents on all models, two fan vents on 5U, 6U, 8U
• For security, 16-gauge steel panels; key locks on all models, a second lock on top panel for 5U, 6U, 8U
• For connections, cable access punchout holes on top and bottom
• For flexibility, a reversible front door for hinges on left or right
• For quick installation, ships fully assembled with mounting hardware

However, vertical wall enclosures are not always the right choice. Whether your next wall cabinet should