What is the secret behind Ethernet wire color scheme?

[ihsial]

I was trying to make an Ethernet cable about 100 feet long and what I found; it was not working in non-standard color scheme. However it works fine when re-arrange its color combination into standard, (Same cable, only color difference).

So, why this Color scheme is important? And what is the secret behind its color combination?

This is Standard Color Scheme for Ethernet.

 

[john-b691]

It isn't, the pairs are all that count. You have 4 color pairs in a standard cable and as long as you connect each leed of the pair to proper pin it will work fine. Many years ago the blue and the brown pair did not have as many twists per inch but that is no longer true.

 

[Hawkeye22]

In 10/100 ethernet, only 2 pairs are actually used, 1,2,3,6. One pair is for transmit and one pair is for receive. The other 2 pair are to prevent crosstalk on the wires. Gigabit ethernet uses all 4 pairs.

In either case, if the transmits and receives aren't wired properly you will get no connection.

 

[ihsial]

Best answer selected by ihsial.