Networking – Gigabit capable cable only connecting at 100 Mbps

ethernetnetworkingrouterswitch

So, I have recently purchased a second gigabit router that will broadcast on another Wi-Fi network in order to improve connection speeds across the house, as well as giving me an ethernet connection in my room.

The way it's all hooked up is the following.

  1. Main router
  2. Switch
  3. Secondary router.

1 is connected to 2, and 2 is then connected to 3.

The connections between 1 and 2, as well as 2 and 3, are ethernet cables (EN 50288-3-1).

Now, a quick Google search on this cable, EN 50288-3-1, reveales that it is supposedly capped at 100 MHz, which if I have understood correctly, should give me maximum speed of 100 Mbps.

The problem is that the connection from 1 to 2 is 1 Gbps, however, the connection from 2 to 3 is only 100 Mbps, but they use the same cable type.

Also, I have another cable that says it's CAT 5e, and states it is also EN 50288-3-1, leading me to madness.

Now, I have done a lot of tests to see if my secondary router was to blame or if it was the cable from 2 to 3 itself. I have tried connecting the cable from to 2 to 3 to my computer, getting only 100 Mbps. I have also tried using the cable from 1 to 2 to connect between my switch and secondary router, getting a 1 Gbps connection. I have tried connecting my router to the CAT 5e cable that says it's a EN 50288-3-1 as well, getting a 1Gbps connection too.

This all leads me to believe that, if the same cable type gives 1 Gbps from 1 to 2, but only 100 Mbps from to 2 to 3, and neither 2 nor 3 are to blame, it has to be the cable from 2 to 3.

Now, this is very bad, as the cable from 2 to 3 is not easily replaceable, it goes through tubes in walls and all that crap, and is probably 10 meters long.

I just wanted to check whether my reasoning that the cable is at fault is correct, because I'm going crazy at the moment.

For future reference,

  • 2, the switch, is a NETGEAR GS105.
  • 3, the secondary router is a TPLINK AC 1750
  • Both cables from 1 to 2, and 2 to 3 are EN 50288-3-1, which, even though their specification says shouldn't happen, appear to be able to deliver 1 Gbps, and from 1 to 2, it does so.

If needed, I'll draw a simplified diagram of the situation and link it up so that the problem can be discussed in an easier manner.

Best Answer

Check each plug on the 100 Mb cable, and ensure that both are wired the same to either the T-568A or T-568B standard.

It may be worthwhile to simply get new plugs and re-crimp each end, as while 100 M/bit signals on only 4 of the wires, with the 'unused' wires serving as shielding, Gigabit signals on all 8 pair.

If the wiring order is incorrect, or poorly crimped, it would cause Gigabit autonegotiation to fail back to 100 M/bit. The specific order of the wires is important to prevent inductive losses and crosstalk between wires.

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