RJ11 versus RJ45 connection for VDSL

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smac

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Topic # 242705 10-Nov-2018 09:33

I'm in the process of switching to NOW and have received their NF18ACV router, but see it uses a RJ11 connection for the incoming feed.

My existing router uses RJ45, and I thought this was a better idea for VDSL as it keeps the twisted pair in place for longer.

Any thoughts on whether I am better/worse off using my existing Fritzbox versus using an adapter or something so I can use the Netcomm? Not sure what I'd do.....adapter (?) or change the RJ45 plug to a BT socket?

sbiddle

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Reply # 2123126 10-Nov-2018 09:39

What is your actual issue?

99.9% of modems use RJ11 connectors. The Fritz uses a RJ45 because it's a multifunction port than does ISDN and POTS as well.

Cable type makes no difference. What type of wall jack do you have? Assuming it's a standard RJ45 you just use the cable supplied with the modem.

Mistenfuru

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Reply # 2123127 10-Nov-2018 09:41

I'm assuming the Fritzbox doesn't have 5G which would make the NF18AC a better router?

In regards to the RJ45/11 debate there's slim to no benefit to using an RJ45 over an RJ11 unless your cable is traversing huge distances within your home and you're using Cat6 for it.

Best way to confirm for sure would be to test both routers out, the NOW router will come preconfigured but the info for the Fritz is as follows:

Connection type: VDSL/PTM

Connection Mode: PPPoE

VLAN: 10

Username: (this is something you'll have to get from NOW, usually your accountID@nownz.co.nz)

Password: anything

Hope this helps!

cyril7

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Reply # 2123128 10-Nov-2018 09:43

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Hi rj11 is the correct standard for phone wiring in this particular application, as for performance, both an RJ11 and RJ45 well exceed performance requirements of VDSL.

If your worried about untwist on you VDSL line, then you should be more concerned about the untwisted rats nest out at the chorus pedestal and all the way back down the street to the cabinet.

Cyril

smac

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Ultimate Geek

Reply # 2123132 10-Nov-2018 09:55

OK, thanks for the answers.

I was told when I first got VDSL (nearly 10 years ago?) that the whole twisted pair thing made a difference....if that's not the case, so be it. I have a very good VDSL signal and don't want to mess that up.

However I'm still left with the issue that my incoming signal comes from the master filter via CAT cable and terminates in a RJ45 plug, which is shoved directly into the Fritz.

So I'd either need an RJ45 socket to RJ11 plug, or I could replace the RJ45 plug with a BT socket....(to the use the cable NOW sent me).

Aredwood

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Reply # 2123157 10-Nov-2018 10:38

Guessing that the VDSL is supplied to the center pins of the RJ45. Just get an RJ45 joiner, and use that to connect your existing cable to a short RJ11 cable.

I think that the Huawei HG695 routers even came with a cable that is RJ45 to RJ11, and might also be twisted pair as well. Maybe ask if someone has one of those cables spare.

smac

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Reply # 2128562 17-Nov-2018 16:29

Kinda interested in the comments about twist not mattering now.

Figured before I had to find my crimping tool I would try an adapter first. I plugged my VDSL feed (which terminates in an RJ45 plug) into an RJ45 joiner (socket/socket), then plugged an RJ45/RJ11 cable into the joiner and the Netcomm router.

All the lights come on, cool, new connection is live. Speedtest.net shows 18Mbps down and less than 1 up. Not cool.

Ran out of time, so plugged the Fritzbox back in, configured it for NOW account, back in business at >60Mbps down, cool. Forgot about it for a day or two.

Just now I cut the RJ45 plug off my VDSL feed, and crimped an RJ11 plug onto it. Fired up the Netcomm router, back to <20Mbps down. Bugger. Beginning to think the issue is the router....

Double checked newly crimped plug, looks good. Realised maybe the last 30mm of CAT cable wasn't twisted......gave it a few turns.....voila......connection now humming at >60Mbps again....only change was twisting the last 30mm of cable.....

sbiddle

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Reply # 2128566 17-Nov-2018 17:04

smac:

Double checked newly crimped plug, looks good. Realised maybe the last 30mm of CAT cable wasn't twisted......gave it a few turns.....voila......connection now humming at >60Mbps again....only change was twisting the last 30mm of cable.....

I know you've experienced that, but the issue will be something else. You simply could not get a difference like that with 30mm of cable that's not twisted - it's just not possible. If that was the case every VDSL2 modem would come with a twisted patch lead and not a flat one, and every VDSL install in the world would suffer the same results.

As somebody who's responsible for multiple private inbuilding VDSL2 networks and having completed literally hundreds and hundreds of VDSL2 installs and wiring jobs it simply doesn't stack up.

I am curious why did you also needed to put a RJ45 jack on? A RJ11 jack fits into the RJ45 socket so there is no need to reterminate it. This is not recommended if you are unplugging and plugging things in continually as it can cause damage to the outer pins but modular interchangeable jacks was part of the design spec of the RJ series jacks.

As you only looked at speedtest.net rather than actual xDSL sync stats it's impossible to actually know what was going on, but my pick would be that the connector wasn't terminated correctly and was only operating on a single leg - this will allow xDSL to work but not voice.

The references to UTP cable over the years is more in regard to issues such as wind up caddy extensions which were incredibly popular. These would instantly kill xDSL signals because they were both flat cable, and typically people didn't unwind them the whole way.

hio77

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Reply # 2128569 17-Nov-2018 17:22

i would pickup a rj45 to rj11 cable from cables direct.

Works wonders for these cases.

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

cyril7

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Reply # 2128580 17-Nov-2018 17:56

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Hi I agree totally with Steve, a small untwist as described will not result in such a difference, my guess is your RJ11 crimp had a leg out of bed, and yes dsl will work one leg down, just poorly, as you most likely have successfully demonstrated.

Of course I could be wrong, but having been in this game over 40 years I have my doubts.

Cyril

smac

267 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 2128590 17-Nov-2018 19:14

sbiddle:

I am curious why did you also needed to put a RJ45 jack on? A RJ11 jack fits into the RJ45 socket so there is no need to reterminate it.

Not sure I follow....there's no RJ45 jack anywhere. When I moved into this house I installed the master splitter, and ran cable to where I wanted the router. I had RJ45 plugs, so that's what I stuck on the end of the cable.

hio77:

i would pickup a rj45 to rj11 cable from cables direct.

ummm...why? As above, I already have one, and also as above, I no longer need it!

ANyway, thanks for the comments. If the twist really is a no go, then yeah I must have a dodgy crimp on the RJ11....nothing else was touched. I'll replace it at some point I guess, but all good for now. Cheers

hio77

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Reply # 2128595 17-Nov-2018 19:48

smac:

ummm...why? As above, I already have one, and also as above, I no longer need it!

Well, it seems your having trouble crimping, thus the suggestion.

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.