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Usb Dongles for USB over CAT5 connection

by arte.sano on January 21, 2008

Table of Contents

License: Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike (by-nc-sa) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Intro: Usb Dongles for USB over CAT5 connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

step 1: Materials and Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

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Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

http://www.instructables.com/id/Usb-Dongles-for-USB-over-CAT5-connection/
License: Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike (by-nc-sa)

Intro: Usb Dongles for USB over CAT5 connection

You can run pretty much anything on Cat5, VGA, Usb, Sound Signals, S-Video and so on.

I'm planning in using my web cam as a security cam at my front door and I was thinking in using a pc downstairs to see my web cam over the net, but I have keep both
pcs running at the same time and the need of extra software as well, so i decided to use a Cat5 to run a Usb connection over at least 25', I've been searching a little over
the web and I found a couple of ideas to connect Usb peripherals over Cat5 successfully and I went over the subject, but I realize that i didn't want to cut the cat5 and
solder the usb connections to the cable, so I decide to build a couple of Usb dongles (female and male) to cat5 and the cool thing is that they can be used on existing
Ethernet network wall connections as well. I know that I might be pushing the limits but it's worth the try.

I wouldn't use this devices for Data tho, I understand the there are plenty of connectors out there that have baluns (which I don't quite know how they work), to send and
receive Data signal, so I wouldn't risk the try but for peripherals such as web cams, mouse or keyboard, and sound signals would do just fine (even S-video).
I would highly recommend using a powered Usb hub for the distance mentioned above, in regards of some of the limits for this type of configurations:
Usb limits are up to 15' (4.5 meters)
S-Video up to 50' (15' meters)

I got very useful information from Tony's Cafe blog, on distances limits and some other valuable info, you may want to take a look at his site: http://girasoli.org/?p=58

Image Notes Image Notes

1. Ethernet Cat5 cable 25 feet. 1. this are the remaining pins that I didn't use (1,3,5,7) that can be use later on.
2. Female Dongle connection
3. Male dongle connection

Image Notes Image Notes

1. Usb male plug type A 1. Isolate the connections with electric tape.
2. Usb Female plug type A
3. Ethernet hubs 8 pin RJ45

http://www.instructables.com/id/Usb-Dongles-for-USB-over-CAT5-connection/
step 1: Materials and Instructions
The Dongles or connectors are very easy to build, I gather all the material from salvaged hardware

Materials:
2 Ethernet Hubs (8pin RJ45 - salvaged from network cards)
1 Usb Male Plug Type A (any standard Usb cable)
1 Usb Female Plug Type A (from a Pc)
Solder Gun, wire and electric tape.
and of course a CAT5 Ethernet Cable

Instructions:
The hardest part was desoldering the Hubs from the salvaged PCB board, after that it was just a matter of selecting which cables of the CAT5 use to solder the Usb plugs
and the RJ45 Hubs.

I select the pins in the following order:

RJ45 hub = USB plug

pin No. 2 = Green Cable
pin No. 4 = White Cable
pin No. 6 = Black Cable-Ground
pin No. 8 = Red Cable

I test the configuration at the other end and test the web cam (my work very well) later I isolate each soldered connection with electric tape (with yellow tape) and cover
the hole thing (black tape), and voila!. 25' of video cable (plus the hubs) and working.
Easy and extremely cheap.

Image Notes Image Notes

1. this are the remaining pins that I didn't use (1,3,5,7) that can be use later on. 1. Isolate the connections with electric tape.

Image Notes Image Notes

1. Usb male plug type A 1. Ethernet Cat5 cable 25 feet.
2. Usb Female plug type A 2. Female Dongle connection
3. Ethernet hubs 8 pin RJ45 3. Male dongle connection

http://www.instructables.com/id/Usb-Dongles-for-USB-over-CAT5-connection/
 Related Instructables

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Over Ethernet Cable by m_jake Ethernet Router Cat5E/Cat6 VGA cord of Cable Tester House: Run Ethernet Cable
(POE) Adapter - Conversion by Networking 110 CAT5 cable! by UltraCheap both ethernet by Lancealator
For: Router, AP, lonjim2 Keystone Jack mlandgraaf (Wall and phone over
Switch, Hub by (video) by Mountable) by existing Cat-5
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Comments
46 comments Add Comment

tinnyjl says: Sep 14, 2009. 7:57 AM REPLY

Can Use The Cables With Out The Ethernet

arte.sano says: Sep 14, 2009. 9:17 AM REPLY

It depens for what, I've had luck using a usb webcam over 25ft but witha powered usb, but no luck with mouse or keyboard, maybe adapting some sort of
additional power like a battery or power via ethernet using the remaining cables, or using capacitors? good luck

milsorgen says: Jan 10, 2010. 9:43 PM REPLY

Yeah your probably going to need to clean and boost the signal for extreme lengths on pins 2-3.

krahoc says: Sep 16, 2009. 12:49 PM REPLY

Tried it with a 20m long cat5 shielded câble. 5V between +5 and ground is ok, but data +/- fails (tried webcam, keyboard, joystick). Guess I will have to find
an ethernet webcam.

Lee Wilkerson says: Nov 14, 2009. 12:08 AM REPLY

Your problem is most likely a power sag induced by too long a cable. With a cable that long and that small I can imagine you're going to drop at least .5
volt. Test your voltage at the end farthest from the computer with the load attached. You need at least 4.75 volts. Try using the unused wires in the Cat 5
cable in parallel for the +5 and ground wires.

If your voltage didn't sag that far, then you have crosstalk issues. If this is the case, ground all the unused wires at the COMPUTER END ONLY (hook
'em to the black wire).

krahoc says: Nov 14, 2009. 11:09 AM REPLY

The +5V has been tested and is ok. Checked the connections with a continuity tester for the data cables and the other cables were not connected.
Seems the problem is not power (the hardware is powered) but data transmission (un-recognized by computer). Anyway, I used another solution
(optic fiber).
Thanks

lp142 says: Nov 2, 2009. 8:11 AM REPLY

Can a powered hub be put in the middle of this configuration and provide power?

qou2600 says: Feb 28, 2009. 1:11 PM REPLY

Can I use this to get internet or a lan connection?

dejan4ence says: May 21, 2009. 9:53 AM REPLY

for USB FLASH MEMORY is work but for w-fi USB not. Wi-fi its working only 2meters leng in 3meters hi dont recognize . salute

http://www.instructables.com/id/Usb-Dongles-for-USB-over-CAT5-connection/
 PCfreak says: Apr 8, 2009. 2:03 PM REPLY
no u would have to use something like this:
http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/products/USB300M

cornflaker says: Apr 8, 2009. 4:43 AM REPLY

... just use the cat 5 cable by itself without doing anything lol this is to extend your usb cable way beyond the normal limits

qou2600 says: Apr 8, 2009. 6:48 PM REPLY

I understand. My friend has a laptop with a broken network card an I was hoping for a cheap solution to his problem. I'm sure he can find a good deal
on something though thank you both

sarkeizen says: Jan 22, 2009. 1:04 PM REPLY

Actually what I found easiest of all is buying a USB Extension cable. Which has one Male "A" connector and another Female "A" connector. Cut it in half.
Strip the wires. Then crimp an RJ-45 connector on each end (making sure to pair the data+ and data- leads). I have it on a short run (8ft) and it works fine for
USB 1.1 devices. Even data can be transferred at that speed. I've played 720p video back over that connection. It even can handle a single USB 2.0 device.
I'm working on getting USB 2.0 to work through a hub. I'd like to connect a USB Blu-Ray drive this way.

ggiihh1 says: Jan 8, 2009. 1:14 PM REPLY

Can this be used simply as a usb extension cable?

help me please!!!! says: Dec 30, 2008. 5:41 PM REPLY

I have a cord used to hook a computer to internet it has 8 wires. 4 white wires 1 orange wire 1 brown wire 1 green wire 1 blue wire and on the usb cord it has
1 white wire 1 red wire 1 green wire 1 black wire and a bunch of little silver wires over to the side without and covering. How do I connect them?

arte.sano says: Jan 1, 2009. 12:11 PM REPLY

Ok, I see, you have an old network cable, you can either discard the white cables or you can pair them with the color ones. If you do this bear in mind
that at the other end of your network cable you will need to have the same configuration that the other end.

lets try this:

Cat5 = USB Cable
White /Green = Green Cable
White /Brown = White Cable
White /Blue = Black Cable-Ground
White /Orange = Red Cable

Let me know if it works.

cheers

Sk8erCk4Life says: Dec 22, 2008. 4:40 PM REPLY

I get exactly how to use this now with the hubs. You can take the Usb with the hub on it and use the ethernet cable for something else then later you can
hook it back up easily. :-)

Sk8erCk4Life says: Dec 21, 2008. 11:42 AM REPLY

My Ethernet cord has eight wires. If I don't want to use the ethernet hubs, how do I wire the ethernet cord the the USB's and which color wires do I use?

arte.sano says: Dec 21, 2008. 1:23 PM REPLY

check this: http://www.instructables.com/id/S1QTA9GFBPF3JZ6/, it's good if you read the whole instructable, I did the next wire configuration:
RJ45 hub = USB plug
pin No. 2 = Green Cable
pin No. 4 = White Cable
pin No. 6 = Black Cable-Ground
pin No. 8 = Red Cable

instead of using the pin numbering, select a specific color from the cat5, lets say green and white stripes to match the green from the USB cable, red and
white stripes for the red in the USB and so on, make sure that the other end of your cable has the same scheme and I'll be fine; you can also try to use
the cat5 cables as doubles, ie, combine 2 wires from the cat5 to match one of the USB, it will increase the flow of current from the USB port to the
device.
cheers.

Sk8erCk4Life says: Dec 22, 2008. 4:06 PM REPLY

Thankx for helpin...(-:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Usb-Dongles-for-USB-over-CAT5-connection/
 AndyGadget says: Dec 14, 2008. 7:26 AM REPLY
Instructables triumphs again . . . I was planning on doing exactly this to extend a USB webcam and I find a full discussion here. The idea of using RJ45 ends
and CAT5 extender blocks makes the whole thing much more versatile. I'd strongly suggest using one of the twisted pairs in the CAT5 as the main thing
which will limit the length is the signal rise/fall times of the differential data pair and the twisted cable will help this. The other thing is the resistance of the
power leads, and I'd suggest doubling up on the +ve and gnd leads. I'll report back once I've had a play with this

instructables_user_4783 says: Dec 2, 2008. 4:51 PM REPLY

Works great, I'm using it to send composite video and audio over about 40 ft. of CAT5. Great idea to use jacks instead of cutting the CAT5 cable.

senthildent says: Nov 11, 2008. 6:00 AM REPLY

Hello sir, as per your instruction I soldered the cat5 cable with the USB cable for extending my webcamera into my front office which is approximately 10m
from the computer its connected to. But after the soldering the computer says the USB device is not recognised - I rechecked if the soldering was right but I
was not succesful . Well I could not find female RJ45 sockets in my place so I directly soldered with the cat5 cable could that be a reason for failure. Please
comment Thank you

gbaughma says: Nov 24, 2008. 7:58 AM REPLY

The problem is the distance.
That's why they make amplified "USB Extenders". I have tried lengthening USB cables in a variety of ways... unfortunately, once you get over about 30',
there's not enough voltage and signal for it to work.

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=206639275&listingid=33141181&dcaid=17902

_Ko0LaiD_ says: Nov 23, 2008. 8:00 PM REPLY

This, can make a bunch of money. especially everyone going wireless with their computers.

senthildent says: Nov 10, 2008. 10:55 PM REPLY

Hello man, I tried as per method mentioned above for extending my webcam into my front office(10mts), but when connected the computer says the USB
device is not recognised . What could be the problem . Please comment.

cypressloko says: Oct 6, 2008. 5:49 PM REPLY

si sabes en espanol yo tengo el cable cat5 y tambien la extencion de usb ahora lo ke kiero hacer es una extencion mas larga para mi antena

cypressloko says: Oct 4, 2008. 3:32 PM REPLY

kan some 1 tell me how to make it i have the cat 5 and a usb and the usb cable

arte.sano says: Oct 6, 2008. 2:16 PM REPLY

I Don't quite understand your question, I'm assuming that you want to connect the USB cable to the Cat5? right? if that's so, you just need to now which
wires from the USB connect to which wires in the Cat5. check the next step
http://www.instructables.com/id/S1QTA9GFBPF3JZ6/
and see the configuration of the wires of each cable and then connected them.

LinuxH4x0r says: Jan 22, 2008. 5:27 PM REPLY

Cool! how does it perform (speed)?

arte.sano says: Jan 22, 2008. 7:05 PM REPLY

So far I've been testing on Usb1.1, and just peripherals, no big deal there. thanks.

LinuxH4x0r says: Jan 23, 2008. 7:39 PM REPLY

I know that speed decreases in as short as 6 feet, so I wasn't sure, but 1.1 should do fine.

varun.coolmax says: Apr 21, 2008. 9:38 AM REPLY

hmmm I've tried this stunt on a very long Cat5 cable.. i attached a 5v led on the other side of the wire and it glows.. meaning the power is
transfered accurately.. but when i attach a usb mouse or keyboard.. it seems that it doesn't get much power...meaning it doesn't work... is there
anything i can do... ???

http://www.instructables.com/id/Usb-Dongles-for-USB-over-CAT5-connection/
 Padlock says: Sep 24, 2008. 5:00 PM REPLY
Passive USB cables do not operate beyond 16 ft.

CuSS says: Jun 2, 2008. 5:52 PM REPLY

try to put a powered usb hub pluged at the female of the usbcat5

arte.sano says: Apr 21, 2008. 12:11 PM REPLY

mmm, now the you mention it, I try a keyboard and didn't work, Mouse neither, How long is your cable?, check the length cos' my is 25' at
least my web cam works with no problem, you can also use the 8 wires and paired them in two to double the connections, check the reply
below. cheers

Sk8erCk4Life says: Dec 22, 2008. 4:19 PM REPLY

Use this wiring method but instead of using UTP, use CAT5 cable and don't use the hubs.

How to extend your USB using UTP

netbuddy says: Feb 2, 2009. 2:11 PM REPLY

CAT5 is UTP, CAT5 is a standard of Ethernet cable
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category_5_cable
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unshielded_twisted_pair#Unshielded_twisted_pair_.28UTP.29

varun.coolmax says: Apr 27, 2008. 8:35 PM REPLY

my cable length is 25'... I've used the following pairing between usb and cat5... +5v on blue/white... GND on blue... Data + on brown..
Data - on brown/white... i've just bought a new web cam.. it gets powered up using the wires but the computer cannot recognize the web
cam.. i guess this is something to do with the Data cables..the Data cables have voltage of 28 AWG which limits its distance to about 1.81
meters...also i guess its voltage is 3.3V or 4.5V.. if it were 4.5 it should work..but in case of 3.3V it might not be able to send the current far
across the 25' wire... any suggestions...!!!

arte.sano says: Apr 28, 2008. 9:57 AM REPLY

mmm, I actually test my cable with the dongles on a webcam, a regular logitech 5v. the confusing part was the Usb ports I was using,
my work in the one that i previously connect my webcam, and considering that I'm still using Usb 1 I can't see why is not working with
yours, I'll check the Usb port. Hope it helps.

spcsys says: Aug 16, 2008. 2:09 PM REPLY

An additional idea is to take the USB dongles and instead of placing female RJ45 receptacles, you could neatly crimp an RJ45 plug on the end which should
make the dongle neater and possibly stronger thru the crimping. Then you can simply use an RJ45 coupler. Most RJ45 couplers you will see in stores are
large almond colored and very oversized. You can find very small ones made by Allen Tel and other vendors which are designed to be snapped into a wall
plate, called a modular insert (the standard snap style used by most manufacturers for wall plates). These couplers are very small and come in black and
other low profile colors (a variety of colors are available just like the RJ45 jacks for wall plates: blue, green, black, white, almond, red, etc...). These modular
insert couplers are designed for when you have an RJ45 plug and want to turn it into a "jack" behind a wall plate. Much smaller than the large Wallgreen
couplers and you will probably have less signal loss when using a higher quality product like Panduit and Allen Tel...

Using this idea, you can design your own "standard" and then make multiple Y cables for using the CAT5 cable for other projects like S-video, USB, etc...

Allen Tel AT66C-00 (CAT 6)

http://www.twacomm.com/catalog/model_AT66C-00.htm
Find the CAT5e for significant price reduction...

I use these couplers with my own homemade adapters, small 6 in. cables with RJ45 jacks on the end. One will be a short crossover cable, another will be a
short rollover cable (cisco console cable). Then I use the coupler to extend the length of the cable however long I need, I can use a 3ft or 50ft. patch cable
and just change out the short 6 in. specialty cable to change technology uses.

I am designing a software based RAID5 NAS and plan on using 5 external USB drives which I need to place in a cooler area of my home than the server will
be and looking for a long run USB solution. Due to running 5 stripped disks off of a single USB port via a HUB, I will most likely have to buy a professionally
designed USB over CAT5 solution.

Sgt.Waffles says: Jun 16, 2008. 8:43 PM REPLY

I have no idea what that is. I have no idea what it does. However, for the use of the word "Dongles", whether it be relevant or not, has earned this ible my
"Official Seal of Lol". Congratulations, good sir.

arte.sano says: Jun 17, 2008. 10:30 AM REPLY

thanks for the mention.
check the wiki for the word "dongle" sounds funny i know, but there's more to it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dongle
thanks for stoping by.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Usb-Dongles-for-USB-over-CAT5-connection/
 biggyeyes says: May 26, 2008. 5:36 PM REPLY
doesn't work when it's "too" long (5 ft actually, unless you use a powered USB hub.) This is because the maximum round trip delay is 1500ns) wikipedia

tried connecting around ten feet of usb extensions and got that "unable to recognize usb" stuff. But usb charging and stuff still works. What I'm interested
would be some kind of USB-to-RF kinda thingy... hehe.

nice instructable though, tried to do that before but didn't have the time xD

uliq_madiq says: Feb 18, 2008. 1:16 AM REPLY

I'd suggest changing your connections to take advantage of the twisted pair's properties in that Cat5 cable. Can't say exactly how since that depends on the
color codes used by your USB cable. What you want to do is put the power connections on one pair and the data connections on another pair to improve
your speed. The standard pairing on an ethernet cable are pins 1&2, 3&6, 4&5, and 7&8. Cheers.

maker12 says: Feb 4, 2008. 7:00 PM REPLY

great!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Usb-Dongles-for-USB-over-CAT5-connection/