10/100 Mbps Throughput Issue

[leeym]

Currently my router, switch and NIC claim that I'm operating at 100 Mbps. However, I'm having serious performance issues between 2 computers on WinXP Pro. All software and equipment has been tested and retested but data retrieval from either box is extremely slow.

Recently someone reminded me that the custom crimpings I made must follow this standard: http://www.tcnj.edu/~nts/network/rj45_info.php

What's odd is that the cables connecting these boxes to the network don't follow this protocol, yet everything says that they are operating at 100 Mbps. Based on this, Ive a few questions...

- How is it even possible these cables are working if these standards aren't followed?
- Is it possible for a connection less than 100 Mbps be occuring even tho the NIC, router, or switch say it is at this speed?

Any other words of wisdom would be most appreciated.

Thanks

 

[zTargeTz]

How is it even possible these cables are working if these standards aren't followed?
A: while it really is a bad habit, Cat5 cabling can be made how ever you want, as long as the cables are the same on both ends (for a strait through) or as long as pairs 1 2 3 and 6 are crossed (for a cross over) the standards are there to help signal strength over long runs but are not neccisary for the cables to work.

Is it possible for a connection less than 100 Mbps be occuring even tho the NIC, router, or switch say it is at this speed?
A: yes, and no. there could be several other problems effecting your trasmition speed, the links MAY be up at 100mbs, but if you have a chatty nic (bad nic spamming the net work with crap) that will cause exess packet collisions and slow down your connection, your computers may be talking to eachother THROUGH your ISP instead of directly to eachother (with a path like this computera>switch>router>ISP>router>switch>computerB) need more details on your set up really. can you unplug your self from the internet and try to transfer files? are your computers virus free & uptodate with windows update?

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

As long as the pairs wired 1-2, 3-6, 4-5, & 7-8, the colors won't affect the electrical operation. However, it's a good idea to follow the standard, since it makes it much easier to ring out cables or fix them when a connector gets pulled off or damaged. If the pairs aren't wired to the proper pins, you might get an indication that you have a 100mbit connection, but actual performance will really suck!