Very short network cables (8 inches .. )

[zcacogp]

Chaps,

Quickie.

Does anyone know where I can buy very short network cables? Of around 8 inches length. I am trying to tidy up my office, and having 2 to 3 foot of cable to connect two boxes which are sitting next to each other on the desk is not helping the clutter factor ...

Thanks,


Oli.

[UpTheIron]

You need:

A few metres of CAT 5 cable (you've probably already got enough if you butcher your existing cables)
A handful of RJ45 connectors (pennies)
A crimping tool (£5)

£23 will get you 100 connectors, 20m of CAT5 and a crimp tool delivered from Scan.

[GreenV8S]

Or if you want an easy and reliable solution, get a standard 1m cable and double it back and forth a few times to reduce the length to 8", and put a couple of cable ties round it.

[ultimasimon]

0.5M CAT 5 network cables (straight not crossover). I believe they also do the short patchbay ones you want, but they do not list them onine.

www.compubits.com/product-details.asp?prodid=549&cat_id=73

[aranell]

Farnell are cheaper, and they come in a nice range of odd colours (including beige, gold and silver ). Smallest size is 0.3m....

Pink 0.3m --> http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSearc
Pink 0.5m --> http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSearc

(Yes, when I was a network admin, all my structured cabling was pink )

[UpTheIron]

GreenV8S said:

Or if you want an easy and reliable solution, get a standard 1m cable and double it back and forth a few times to reduce the length to 8", and put a couple of cable ties round it.

C'mon, it's not that hard to make your own! Farnell looks like the best option though.

[randlemarcus]

aranell said:

(Yes, when I was a network admin, all my structured cabling was pink )

Outstanding

Would have loved to have seen the face on the BOFH who succeeded you..

[zcacogp]

Chaps,

Lots of really excellent answers, thanks.

I like the DIY idea ... but looking at all the cables I have, imagined that the ends were put on with some large machine. I'll drop in on the guy who manages the network at work, and see whether he happens to have a crimp tool and some spare ends ... and what sort of beer he drinks ...

Thanks!


Oli.

[robbieduncan]

eBay can be your friend. I got 20 0.5 meter Cat5e cables for £12 delivered. Choice of colours available too.

You can get some here: http://networkcablesuk.com/shop/index

[GreenV8S]

UpTheIron said:

C'mon, it's not that hard to make your own! Farnell looks like the best option though.

No, but in the past I've wasted all sorts of time tracking down problems caused by poor quality DIY crimped cable connectors. I've never ever had any trouble with professionally crimped ones.

[mindgam3]

Maplin can make you up any length i think. Just go into a store n ask

[aldi]

randlemarcus said:

aranell said: (Yes, when I was a network admin, all my structured cabling was pink ) Outstanding Would have loved to have seen the face on the BOFH who succeeded you..

[zcacogp]

Woo-Hoo - the network chap at work has a crimper tool, which he has never used ('too fiddly'.)

All I need to do now is find some ends, and then I can cannibalise the longest cable I have.

Thanks for the advice!


Oli.

[zcacogp]

Chaps,

Thanks all for your input. I borrowed the crimper tool from the network chap at work, bought some plugs from Maplin, cannibalised an existing (very long) lead I had and made some short leads - precisely to length (very satisfying!)

The only problem was that it is a damn fiddly job. Getting each individual strand into the plug in the right place was a nightmare. 2 hours allowed me to attach 6 plugs ...

Thanks again for your advice. It was appreciated!


Oli.