568A and 568B Colors - CompTIA A+ 220-1101 - 3.1

Summary

The video script discusses the importance of standardized methods for network installations, specifically focusing on the TIA 568 standard for ethernet cabling. It explains the two color-coding schemes, T568A and T568B, used for wiring ethernet connections, noting that while both standards function identically, they differ in the color assignments for specific pins. The script highlights how these standards are applied in practice, the similarities and differences between them, and clarifies misconceptions about their association with ethernet crossover cables.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Networks across different organizations follow standardized installation methods, including pin colors, due to international standards like ISO/IEC 11801 and TIA 568.
• 🇺🇸 In North America, the TIA 568 standard is widely recognized for commercial building telecommunications cabling.
• 🔍 The TIA 568 standard includes specific pin and pair assignments for Ethernet connections, known as T568A and T568B.
• 🔢 Both T568A and T568B provide two options for wiring Ethernet connections, with different color assignments for the 8P8C connectors.
• 🏢 The 568A coloring scheme is typically associated with horizontal cabling, while 568B is more commonly used for end-user connections.
• 💡 The choice between 568A and 568B does not affect functionality; both are equally valid for network installations.
• 🤔 Common misconceptions include associating 568A/B with Ethernet crossover cables, but these standards only specify colors and are not crossover definitions.
• 🛠️ Ethernet crossover cables are designed according to IEEE standards, not the T568 color schemes.
• 🔑 The key difference between T568A and T568B lies in the color wiring of pins 1, 2, 3, and 6.
• 🔄 Pins 4, 5, 7, and 8 have the same color wiring in both T568A and T568B standards.
• 🔍 To determine the standard used in a cable, one can inspect the color sequence on the back of an Ethernet cable or connector.
• 🔄 Both 568A and 568B standards are represented on punch down blocks, allowing for flexibility in installation.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the ISO/IEC 11801 and TIA 568 standards in networking?

The ISO/IEC 11801 and TIA 568 standards provide guidelines on how networking cabling should be installed, ensuring consistency across different organizations in terms of methods and pin colors used.

What is the TIA 568 standard?

The TIA 568 standard is the Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling Standard developed by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) for cabling in North America.

Where can I find more information about the TIA 568 standard?

More information about the TIA 568 standard can be found on the TIA website at tiaonline.org.

What does the term 'pin and pair assignments' refer to in the context of the TIA 568 standard?

The term 'pin and pair assignments' refers to the specific color wiring scheme for the eight-conductor 100-ohm balanced twisted pair cabling in an Ethernet connection.

What are the two common wiring schemes provided by the TIA 568 standard?

The two common wiring schemes provided by the TIA 568 standard are T568A and T568B.

What is the difference between T568A and T568B wiring schemes?

T568A and T568B differ in the color assignments for pins 1, 2, 3, and 6. Pins 4, 5, 7, and 8 have the same color assignments in both schemes.

Which color standard is commonly used for end-user connections in most organizations?

In most organizations, the 568B color standard is commonly used for end-user connections.

Does it matter if an organization uses 568A or 568B for all its Ethernet connections?

No, it does not matter which standard an organization chooses to use as both 568A and 568B have the same functionality and neither is inherently better or worse than the other.

What is the misconception about Ethernet crossover cables in relation to the 568A and 568B standards?

The misconception is that an Ethernet crossover cable uses a 568A color scheme on one end and a 568B color scheme on the other. In reality, the 568A and 568B standards only specify colors and are not directly associated with crossover cables.

How can you determine which TIA 568 standard is used on an Ethernet cable?

You can determine which standard is used by looking at the color of the wires on pins 1, 2, 3, and 6, as these are the pins where the 568A and 568B standards differ.

How are the 568A and 568B color schemes typically represented on a punch down block?

On a punch down block, the 568A color scheme is often represented along the top, and the 568B color scheme along the bottom, allowing installers to match the wires according to the chosen standard.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Understanding Network Cabling Standards

This paragraph introduces the concept of network cabling standards and their importance in maintaining uniformity across different organizations. It highlights the ISO/IEC 11801 and the North American TIA 568 standards, emphasizing the TIA 568's role in defining the pin and pair assignments for ethernet connections, known as T568A and T568B. The speaker clarifies that these standards provide two options for applying colored wires to ethernet connections and that the choice between T568A and T568B does not affect functionality. The paragraph also dispels a common misconception about ethernet crossover cables and their relation to the 568 color schemes, pointing out that the actual design of crossover cables is governed by IEEE standards, not the 568 standards.

05:01

🔌 Exploring T568A and T568B Pin Assignments

The second paragraph delves into the specifics of the T568A and T568B pin assignments for ethernet RJ45 connectors and punch down blocks. It describes the color coding for each pin and the slight differences between the two standards, particularly noting the changes in pins 1, 2, 3, and 6. The paragraph explains that pins 4, 5, 7, and 8 have the same color assignments in both standards. It also demonstrates how to identify which standard is used by examining the colors on the back of an ethernet cable, providing an example of a cable using the 568B standard. The speaker mentions that while many organizations prefer 568B, some may opt for 568A, and shows how punch down blocks can accommodate both color schemes, with the user needing to match the wires accordingly.

Keywords

💡Networks

In the context of the video, 'networks' refers to the interconnected systems of computers, printers, and other devices that communicate with each other within an organization. The video discusses how these networks are standardized across various organizations, ensuring consistency in installation and operation.

💡ISO/IEC 11801

ISO/IEC 11801 is an international standard for cabling that provides guidelines for the installation of networks. It is important in the video as it sets a global benchmark for how networks should be physically constructed, ensuring compatibility and interoperability across different systems.

💡TIA

The 'Telecommunications Industry Association' or TIA is a North American organization that sets standards for the telecommunications industry. In the video, TIA is mentioned as the body responsible for the TIA 568 standard, which is specific to cabling in commercial buildings.

💡TIA 568

TIA 568 is the standard for Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling, which is a North American counterpart to the ISO/IEC 11801. The video focuses on this standard to explain the pin and pair assignments for Ethernet connections, emphasizing its importance in network installation.

💡Pin and Pair Assignments

Pin and pair assignments refer to the specific wiring configurations for Ethernet connections as defined by the TIA 568 standard. The video explains that there are two options, T568A and T568B, for how the wires are connected to the pins of an Ethernet RJ45 connector.

💡Ethernet RJ45 Connector

An Ethernet RJ45 connector is an 8-position, 8-conductor connector used for Ethernet cables. The video script describes how these connectors are wired according to the T568A and T568B standards, highlighting the importance of correct wiring for network functionality.

💡T568A and T568B

T568A and T568B are two wiring schemes within the TIA 568 standard for Ethernet connections. The video clarifies that both schemes are valid and have the same functionality, but they differ in the color coding of the wires connected to specific pins.

💡Ethernet Crossover Cable

An Ethernet crossover cable is a type of cable used to connect two devices directly without a switch or hub. The video script mentions a common misconception about the relationship between crossover cables and the T568A/B standards, emphasizing that the standards only specify colors and are not directly related to crossover cable design.

💡Horizontal Cabling

Horizontal cabling refers to the cabling infrastructure that runs within a building to connect various network devices. The video notes that the 568A coloring scheme is often associated with horizontal cabling, although the choice between 568A and 568B is up to the organization.

💡Punch Down Block

A punch down block is a hardware component used to terminate and organize cables in a structured cabling system. The video script describes how wires are punched down into these blocks according to the T568A or T568B color schemes, ensuring a standardized connection.

💡8P8C Connectors

8P8C connectors, also known as RJ45 connectors, are used for Ethernet connections. The term '8P8C' stands for '8 position 8 conductor,' indicating that there are eight positions for conductors in the connector. The video script uses this term to explain the standard wiring practices for Ethernet cables.

Highlights

Network installations across different organizations follow the same methods and pin colors due to established standards.

ISO/IEC 11801 is an international cabling standard guiding network installations.

In North America, the TIA 568 standard is widely recognized for commercial building telecommunications cabling.

The TIA 568 standard provides detailed guidelines on the use of color wires in Ethernet connections.

Pin and pair assignments for 8P8C connectors are specified in the T568A and T568B standards.

Both T568A and T568B standards offer functionality with no superiority of one over the other.

Ethernet crossover cables are not defined by the T568A or T568B color schemes but by IEEE standards.

The color schemes for T568A and T568B differ at pins 1, 2, 3, and 6.

Pins 4, 5, 7, and 8 have the same color assignments in both T568A and T568B standards.

The standard in use can be determined by examining the color of wires on the Ethernet cable's pin-out.

Organizations may prefer 568A or 568B for horizontal cabling, with 568B being more common for end-user connections.

Punch down blocks and interfaces often display both 568A and 568B color schemes for versatility.

The blue and brown colors are consistent between the A and B standards for pins 4, 5, 7, and 8.

Users can match wires to the appropriate color slots when installing into a punch down block.

Different punch down blocks may have distinct color assignments for the A and B standards.

Understanding the T568A and T568B color schemes is crucial for proper Ethernet cable installation.

Transcripts

If you look at networks that are installed

between different organizations, you'll

notice that the method used for installing the network

and even the colors that are used for each pin

are exactly the same in every single one

of these organizations.

That's because we've created standards that provides us

with guidelines on exactly how these networks should

be installed.

One of these international standards

is the ISO/IEC 11801 cabling standards.

And in the United States, North America you've

probably heard of the Telecommunications Industry

Association or TIA.

The TIA standard for cabling is the TIA 568 standard,

which is the Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling

Standard, and you can learn more about it on the TIA website

at tiaonline.org.

There is a lot of information in this TIA 568 standard,

but in this video we're going to talk about one very

specific part of the standard that deals with what color

wires you use on what pins of an ethernet connection.

This is referred to as the pin and pair

assignments of eight-conductor 100-ohm balanced twisted pair

cabling.

And as an abbreviation, we often just refer

to this as T568A and T568B.

This part of the 568 standard provides you

with two options you can use when punching down or applying

different colored wires to your ethernet connection.

If you look at an ethernet RJ45 connector or a punch

down block that's used for ethernet,

you'll notice that there are two different standards that

are addressed.

One is the 568A and one is the 568B.

These two standards provide us with the colors

that we'll use for our 8P8C connectors.

These are 8 position 8 conductor connectors.

Most often, the 568A coloring scheme

is associated with horizontal cabling,

and in most organizations you'll probably

find that connections for your end users

are using the 568B color standard.

Ultimately, it doesn't matter whether your organization

chooses to punch everything down with the 568A color standard

or the 568B color standard.

Both of these standards work exactly the same

and have the same functionality, and one is not

better or worse than the other.

As a quick fact check, you may find in other training

materials and courses that they define an ethernet crossover

cable as a 568 color scheme on one side of the cable,

and a 568B color scheme on the other side of the cable.

In a future video on crossover cables,

we'll visually show you how 568A on one side of the cable

and 568B on the other side of the cable

clearly is not the pin-out for a gigabit ethernet crossover

cable.

The 568A and 568B standards only specify colors.

They're not associated with ethernet crossover cables,

and if you want to know how an ethernet crossover

cable is designed, you'll need to look at the IEEE standards.

Here are the color schemes for 568A and 568B.

We're taking this from an ethernet RJ45

connector, which has eight different wires inside of it.

And you can see they're numbered 1 through 8.

These are the colors that you would use inside

of that connector if you are wiring

that connector for T568A.

You can see there is a slight difference

if you're wiring it for T568B.

You can see that pins 1 in 2 are different in 568A.

We're dealing with white and green green versus

white and orange and orange.

We can also see that the orange and green colors have also

been changed between these two standards between pins 3

and pin 6.

Interestingly, pins 4 and 5 and 7 and 8

are exactly the same between the A and the B standard.

The way that you would tell what standard is in use

is you can look at the back of an ethernet cable

and see exactly what the colors might be on this particular pin

out.

You can see on pins 1 and 2 that we have some orange colors,

and we can see there's blue colors in the middle.

If we overlay the 568B colors, you

can see that they match this particular connector exactly.

So you can see that the person who created this cable

decided to use the 568B coloring scheme,

and if you looked at the other end of the cable,

you would see that it uses exactly the same colors

on that end as well.

Although many organizations do use 568B,

you may run into organizations that prefer to punch everything

down with 568A colors.

So you may notice on punch down blocks or interfaces

that you would install that there are colors assigned for A

and other colors assigned for B. You can see on this block

that it shows you both color schemes.

We have the A color scheme along the top

and the B color scheme along the bottom,

and you simply have to match the wires when you're installing it

into this particular block.

You can see in this description of the colors

that the blue colors and the brown colors

are exactly the same between the A and the B standard,

and that does correlate back to the colors

we were looking at earlier.

You can see for A you would put orange wires into these two

slots and green wires into the last two.

So it looks like in this particular case,

this user is wiring this block with the 568A standard.

Here's another example of a block that

has the different colors assigned for A and B.

And you can see on this side of the block,

we have the four colors that we would use for A or the four

colors that we would use for B. If we were

to turn this block around, we would see four more colors that

associate with the four different connectors

on the other side of the block.