Noob question RE wired backhaul on CT8

[asilcot]

I installed a CT8 AiMesh with ethernet backhaul using a Cat 5e cable that was already in place. All default settings, white LED on both units. I have 200 mbps service and get 240 wired or WiFi at the router. I only get about 95 mbps at the node on the desktop wired with a Cat 6 patch cable or on my tablet on WiFi. When I log into the router and go to AiMesh it shows ethernet backhaul but the cable is orange, not green and the RJ45 plug symbol has 10/100 on it. My take on this is that I need to upgrade the backhaul cable to Cat 6 or 7. Any other ideas? Thanks.

 

[OzarkEdge]

I installed a CT8 AiMesh with ethernet backhaul using a Cat 5e cable that was already in place. All default settings, white LED on both units. I have 200 mbps service and get 240 wired or WiFi at the router. I only get about 95 mbps at the node on the desktop wired with a Cat 6 patch cable or on my tablet on WiFi. When I log into the router and go to AiMesh it shows ethernet backhaul but the cable is orange, not green and the RJ45 plug symbol has 10/100 on it. My take on this is that I need to upgrade the backhaul cable to Cat 6 or 7. Any other ideas? Thanks.

It appears the wired backhaul is not connecting at 1 Gbps. Could be the health of the cable or connectors or an intervening switch. Try a short patch cable of known quality to see if it connects at 1 Gbps and go from there. Also, make sure the node connection priority is set to wired/Ethernet.

A healthy Cat5e cable is adequate for Gigabit Ethernet. I would re-terminate the existing cable before replacing it, given the tools and connectors.

OE

 

[Keith Gorham]

I installed a CT8 AiMesh with ethernet backhaul using a Cat 5e cable that was already in place. All default settings, white LED on both units. I have 200 mbps service and get 240 wired or WiFi at the router. I only get about 95 mbps at the node on the desktop wired with a Cat 6 patch cable or on my tablet on WiFi. When I log into the router and go to AiMesh it shows ethernet backhaul but the cable is orange, not green and the RJ45 plug symbol has 10/100 on it. My take on this is that I need to upgrade the backhaul cable to Cat 6 or 7. Any other ideas? Thanks.

Get an cable tester (less than $5 on ebay) to test the cable. Need all 8 wires for GB.

 

[CaptainSTX]

I installed a CT8 AiMesh with ethernet backhaul using a Cat 5e cable that was already in place. All default settings, white LED on both units. I have 200 mbps service and get 240 wired or WiFi at the router. I only get about 95 mbps at the node on the desktop wired with a Cat 6 patch cable or on my tablet on WiFi. When I log into the router and go to AiMesh it shows ethernet backhaul but the cable is orange, not green and the RJ45 plug symbol has 10/100 on it. My take on this is that I need to upgrade the backhaul cable to Cat 6 or 7. Any other ideas? Thanks.

You need to invest in an inexpensive cable tester and check the in place cable. The issue most likely is a bad termination at one or both ends. Once you confirm replace the termination's at one or both ends using the same pattern at both ends either 568B or 568A.

 

[Pennsylvania Guy]

I installed a CT8 AiMesh with ethernet backhaul using a Cat 5e cable that was already in place. All default settings, white LED on both units. I have 200 mbps service and get 240 wired or WiFi at the router. I only get about 95 mbps at the node on the desktop wired with a Cat 6 patch cable or on my tablet on WiFi. When I log into the router and go to AiMesh it shows ethernet backhaul but the cable is orange, not green and the RJ45 plug symbol has 10/100 on it. My take on this is that I need to upgrade the backhaul cable to Cat 6 or 7. Any other ideas? Thanks.

CAT 5e should work for shorter distances. I have a 100 ft premade cable and I get full 1 gigabit speed. If in doubt, CAT 6 will definitely work.

 

[asilcot]

Thanks for the quick replies and useful information. There is no switch in the system. I will bring the node upstairs and try a direct connection with a new cable. I tried setting the backhaul selection to ethernet instead of auto with no change. Will order a cable tester. I should have one of them around here anyway.

One more question: Is it necessary/advisable to power down the router to connect the short test cable or is the node being powered down all I need?

 

[Pennsylvania Guy]

[QUOTE="One more question: Is it necessary/advisable to power down the router to connect the short test cable or is the node being powered down all I need?[/QUOTE]

No need to power down

 

[asilcot]

CAT 5e should work for shorter distances. I have a 100 ft premade cable and I get full 1 gigabit speed. If in doubt, CAT 6 will definitely work.

Thanks. This is about 50 to 60 feet. It is not a factory cable but is terminated to a wall jack on each end. I will go back and have a look at those connections.

 

[Pennsylvania Guy]

Disconnect the cable from the router before digging in to the connections

 

[CaptainSTX]

Thanks. This is about 50 to 60 feet. It is not a factory cable but is terminated to a wall jack on each end. I will go back and have a look at those connections.

Don't forget to buy the tester. While it is likely that one of the connectors is bad there also is a chance that the cable itself is damaged somewhere in the wall. (Stapled to tight, picture hook nicked a cable or the cable might have had a defective pair. )

 

[asilcot]

Don't forget to buy the tester. While it is likely that one of the connectors is bad there also is a chance that the cable itself is damaged somewhere in the wall. (Stapled to tight, picture hook nicked a cable or the cable might have had a defective pair. )

Will do. Thanks

 

[asilcot]

Will do. Thanks

Thanks so much folks. This has been bothering me since I put the mesh system in and I really wanted to get it fixed today if possible. Based on your info I went to Home Depot and bought a tester. It showed an open. I pulled the cable free from that jack and reworked the connection. I got lucky and that was where the problem was. I really appreciate the help.