What You'll Need
Cable termination requires a small set of specialized tools. Most can be purchased as a kit for under $30, and they'll last through hundreds of terminations.
An all-in-one kit is the easiest way to get started — most kits include a crimping tool, cable tester, pass-through connectors, boots, and a jacket stripper in one package. You'll just need to add bulk cable separately. Example: Solsop All-in-One RJ45 Crimp Tool Kit →
Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet Cable
Bulk cable sold by the foot or in boxes of 250–1000 feet. Contains four twisted pairs (eight individual wires) inside a protective outer jacket. Cat5e supports Gigabit Ethernet; Cat6 supports 10-Gigabit at shorter distances. Example: VIVO 250ft Cat6 Bulk Cable →
RJ-45 Connectors
The clear plastic plug that snaps into an Ethernet port. Each connector has eight gold-plated contacts and a locking tab. Buy extras — beginners often go through several connectors per successful cable. EZ-RJ45 pass-through connectors (where wires poke out the front before crimping) are strongly recommended for beginners because you can visually verify the wire order before you crimp. Search: Cat6 pass-through RJ-45 connectors (100-pack) →
Crimping Tool
A ratcheting hand tool that presses the RJ-45 connector's gold contacts down into the wires and secures the strain relief. This is the most important tool — a quality crimper makes a noticeable difference. Look for one with a built-in cable cutter and jacket stripper. Example: Solsop All-in-One Crimp Tool Kit →
Wire Stripper / Jacket Cutter
Used to remove approximately 1.5 inches of the outer cable jacket without nicking the internal wires. Many crimping tools include a built-in jacket stripper, but a standalone rotary stripper gives more precise control. Example: Klein Tools Ratcheting Crimper/Stripper →
Cable Tester
A two-piece device that verifies each of the eight wires is correctly connected from one end to the other. The main unit and remote unit each plug into one end of the finished cable. LEDs light up in sequence (1 through 8) to confirm continuity and correct pin mapping. Essential for verifying your work. Example: iMBAPrice Network Cable Tester →
Inside an Ethernet cable: four color-coded twisted pairs that must be untwisted and arranged in the correct order.
Buy at least 10 extra RJ-45 connectors for your first practice session. Once a connector is crimped, it cannot be reused — if the wiring is wrong, you'll need to cut the connector off and start over with a fresh one.
Nice-to-Have Items
These aren't required but can make the process easier, especially for beginners:
- Wire straightener/comb — Helps align wires neatly before insertion
- Flush-cut snips — For trimming wires to an even, flat edge
- Magnifying glass — To verify wire colors and positions before crimping
- T-568B reference card — Keep the color code visible while you work (we provide one on the next page)