How do I make an RJ-45 connector into a hardware loop back device (is that an ethernet jammer in your pocket) ? (or how the hell do you boot an Indy with out an ethernet cable)

by jake

How do I make an RJ-45 connector into a hardware loop back device (is that an ethernet jammer in your pocket) ? (or how the hell do you boot an Indy with out an ethernet cable)

Required supplies:
2 strands (short) of coper from any normal cable (such as CAT-5)
1 RJ-45 head
Crimper (or other device to punch down the head)

To create the pocket sized wonder with many uses you simply connect pins 1-6 together with the first strand of copper. Then the second wire goes from pins 2-3.

(Also: don't forget your TIA/EIA wiring colors! Those colors are magical and make this work!)

If you have a fluke tester it will report the device as having a short on pins 1-6 and 2-3. This device is a way to have other devices treat it as if it has layer one connectivity.

The many uses of this are almost never ending.
Some ideas:

Plug into the ethernet port of your indy so it can boot without an ethernet cable.
Insert into free port of hub (quite fun).
Insert into free port on switch with a large broadcast domain (even if vlaning is in use this can be activated by pinging the broadcast or by any broadcast traffic that is in the same collision domain).
Give to local starbucks employee for t-mobile network fun.
Get extra credit in school.
Impress the ladies/guys.
Give them away and explain how they work.
Build them into each side of a cable and replace patch cable where needed (*wink*)

Read more of The Yak's Frequently Questioned Answers (mod.2008-11-08)

433. My boss has developers that use SOAP? How can I help them debug their lame web2.0 non-sense? (Or how can i search inside a given http session for a string using tethereal?) [jake/2006-05-24]
391. Is E.B. White of Strunk and White fame the same one who wrote Charlotte's Web? [overcode/2003-11-03]
371. What is the offical bitch drink™ of #temp? [ross/2003-09-15]
342. Where is a good place to learn about secure programming (or how not to get laughed at) [jake/2002-12-19]
310. whats the easiest way to build apache 1.x with lots of modules? [jesse/2002-04-28]
309. What does the YAK do about SPAM? [strick/2002-02-26]
306. What are the niftiest unicode alphabets? [strick/2005-11-27]
272. If you were held captive, and your captor demanded you to mix a Big Dave's Drawersdropper or else… what do you do?!!! [kurt/2001-09-05]
250. What's in a Ross Omelette? [strick/2001-08-07] ( ross/2003-09-16 treesn/2001-12-30 )
221. Where can I find information about odd places in San Francisco? [rupe/2001-06-04]
191. What did Jon Postel (IANA)'s obituary look like? [rupe/2001-03-06] ( strick/2001-03-11 )
150. Where can I find information on the Sony Magic Cap PDA? [rupe/2000-12-08]
140. What was programming the Royal McBee LGP-30 like? [rupe/2000-10-25]
128. What is a TINI, and what are some good sources of information on it? [jesse/2000-10-07]
91. Should the answer to an FQA consist entirely of an external link? [macki/2000-05-06] ( strick/2002-01-23 )
79. Where can I find information on the QA process used to validate space shuttle software? [rupe/2000-05-19]
67. Where are all the IN-N-OUTs around here? [strick/2000-02-23]
54. What is the preferred word to use to refer to Windoze boxes? [jamison/2000-02-11]
44. What web pages are by VONGUARD? [strick/2000-02-02]
40. What's the funniest comic on the net? [strick/2000-02-02] ( strick/2001-06-11 robey/2001-06-08 strick/2000-10-30 )
36. [17:25] <y42> 26 <PRiS> [jesse666] Jesse, who the hell is jesse? [strick/2000-05-18]