Ethernet patch panel doesn't seem to work in my new apartment.

[evanpoliquin]

I recently moved into a new apartment in NYC and the entire process of setting up internet in here has given me ulcers. Now to add to that, the patch panel for the ethernet doesn't seem to actually be doing anything. I have my PC plugged into the wall outlet and I've tried to plug an ethernet cable into every port of the patch cable (even the unused ones). I'm at a loss here. I'd call my superintendent but he has no idea what to do about anything ever so there's that.

picture because i can't figure out how to work this forum

 

[kanewolf]

You might have to resort to a cable tracer like this -- http://www.amazon.com/Network-Ethernet-Telephone-Tracker-Included/dp/B007LTW48E

 

[USAFRet]

Where do all those wires go? Apparently, neither you nor the super know.
You'll probably have to call in whoever supplies the building with internet service.

 

[evanpoliquin]

Where do all those wires go? Apparently, neither you nor the super know.
You'll probably have to call in whoever supplies the building with internet service.

Well there's five ports that are connected into the panel, and there's five rooms that have wall jacks for ethernet, so I'm assuming that each of those ports go to a room in the building, and the toughest part should just be testing the plugs one by one to see what plug corresponds to what room. However, no plugs correspond to any room, which is strange, and is what's tripping me up.

 

[USAFRet]

Where do all those wires go? Apparently, neither you nor the super know.
You'll probably have to call in whoever supplies the building with internet service.

Well there's five ports that are connected into the panel, and there's five rooms that have wall jacks for ethernet, so I'm assuming that each of those ports go to a room in the building, and the toughest part should just be testing the plugs one by one to see what plug corresponds to what room. However, no plugs correspond to any room, which is strange, and is what's tripping me up.

OK, so test between the rooms and the patch panel. Assuming there is actual connection, label correctly.
This is just testing actual wire connectivity, not internet service.

Now...coming into the patch panel...what is that?

 

[evanpoliquin]

Where do all those wires go? Apparently, neither you nor the super know.
You'll probably have to call in whoever supplies the building with internet service.

Well there's five ports that are connected into the panel, and there's five rooms that have wall jacks for ethernet, so I'm assuming that each of those ports go to a room in the building, and the toughest part should just be testing the plugs one by one to see what plug corresponds to what room. However, no plugs correspond to any room, which is strange, and is what's tripping me up.

OK, so test between the rooms and the patch panel. Assuming there is actual connection, label correctly.
This is just testing actual wire connectivity, not internet service.

Now...coming into the patch panel...what is that?

That's what I've been trying to do. Plugging directly into the router works perfectly fine, but when I plug Ethernet from the router into the patch and then from the wall jack to my computer, it doesn't seem to work. I've tried every port on the patch but none seem to work.

The cables going into the panel are Ethernet cables. However, the patch says it's CAT 6 and the wall outlets says it's CAT 5. That shouldn't be a problem though, correct?

 

[molletts]

Have you tried in another room? It could be that the one socket you really want to use is duff.

 

[evanpoliquin]

Have you tried in another room? It could be that the one socket you really want to use is duff.

Yeah, what I've done is just plug an ethernet cord into all of the ports on the patch, and have gone to each room and tested each wall outlet with my laptop. None of them seem to work, which is odd. How could whoever wired this apartment incorrectly wire four ports? There wouldn't be a setting for the router that disallows this type of thing, correct? I don't know if I should call my ISP or my landlord. I don't think either of them set it up. I know other people in the building have the same patch and it works fine for them.

 

[molletts]

Have you tried in another room?

Yeah ... None of them seem to work, which is odd. ... There wouldn't be a setting for the router that disallows this type of thing, correct?

That is odd. One duff connection is bad luck, five seems a bit... surprising.

The router shouldn't even be able to detect that it's plugged into a patch panel rather than directly into the laptop and I certainly can't see why there would be any setting to disable this even if it could. (Actually, some network devices are able to measure cable length and suchlike using signal reflections so theoretically they might be able to detect connector insertions by a similar means.)

I think your best bet is probably a cable tracer, if you're unable to get any joy from the landlord or whoever. If you're able to borrow a Cat5 cable tester from somewhere (the IT dept. at work?) then that would be a simple way of confirming that the connections don't go anywhere (or that they're faulty if they do). Basic ones that just show red/green lights for each wire or pair aren't that expensive to buy but it may not be worthwhile if you're never going to need one again.

(I do envy you having a place with structured wiring, even though it doesn't work at the moment! It does seem a little stingy only putting one port in each room, though - when I'm going to the trouble of pulling a cable through a wall or ceiling, I always take the view that I might as well pull two at the same time and put a double socket on the end.)

Stephen