UTP Cabling

What’s the Difference Between T568A and T568B?

When it comes to wiring RJ45 data jacks and plugs, ANSI, TIA and EIA agree on two wiring standards: T568A and T568B. While these standards are very similar and can oftentimes be chosen according to nothing more than the installer’s preference, there are a few significant differences between the two, and it’s very important to know about these before you begin to build – or expand – your network.

How are T568A and T568B similar?
The main similarity between T568A and T568B is that they both provide wiring schemes for terminating twisted-pair copper network cable (CAT cables) to 8-position RJ45 jacks and connectors. “8 position” refers to the fact that RJ45 data transmission requires 8 conductors, which are provided by the 4 twisted wire pairs found in the copper-based network cable we just mentioned. The pairs in this type of cable are based on four colors (blue, orange, green and brown), with each of pair consisting of solid-colored wire twisted together with another wire that’s of the same color, but striped with white. When untwisted, the 4 pairs result in 8 individual wires: one for each pin of the jack or plug.

What makes them different?
If you look closely at the two wiring diagrams shown above, you’ll see that the only difference (to the eye, at least) between T568A and T568B is that the pin positions for the green and orange pairs have been switched. But aside from the color reversals, there are a couple of compatibility factors that can affect your choice of an RJ45 wiring scheme.

Even though backward compatible with both one-pair and two-pair USOC wiring schemes, T568A has been largely superseded by the more up-to-date T568B. T568B and has become – overall – the most widely chosen wiring schematic because it matches AT&T’s old 258A color code, but at the same time accommodates for current and future needs. In addition, T568B offers backward compatibility with USOC, though for only one pair.

Overclocking

Overclocking Is Easy Now!

Overclocking is the process of increasing the clock frequency of your Central Processing Unit (CPU), Graphical Processing Unit (GPU), Memory, PCI, and/or AGP devices. In other words, making your computer run faster without having to spend the money on upgrades.

Simply put, overclocking your CPU involves running your processor at a faster speed than was intended out of the box. While overclocking, at its core (no pun intended), can be quite simple, there’s a bit more to it than just tweaking one setting. The main setting that determines your CPU speed (known as your Base Clock) also affects your RAM speed, so there’s a bit of tweaking required to get the right balance. You’ll also have to tweak a few voltage levels, because without enough power, the CPU can’t run fast enough. However, higher voltage also means higher temperatures, so you need to be careful not to overheat your CPU, which can lower the life, not to mention fry it completely if you’re not careful.

You’re not truly hardcore until you’ve pushed your hardware beyond the stock speeds defined by the manufacturer.

Clock boosting couldn’t be easier nowadays. AMD and Intel both offer CPUs with fully unlocked multipliers, the holy grail of overclocking. Pushing one’s CPU past its default speed requires little more than turning up the multiplier. That can be done through increasingly user-friendly firmware interfaces and Windows software. Some boards will even overclock themselves—with and without your permission.

There are all kinds of overclockers in the enthusiast community. Some spend ridiculous amounts of time—and money—on elaborate contraptions that chill CPUs using liquid nitrogen. Others plumb their PCs with intricate networks of water-cooling tubing. Those camps tend to seek out the absolute limits of their CPUs. However, most enthusiasts seem content to tap the “free” clock speed headroom that can be exploited with affordable air cooling.

pfSense Tutorial Links

pfSense

pfSense is a free, open source customized distribution of FreeBSD tailored for use as a firewall and router. In addition to being a powerful, flexible firewalling and routing platform, it includes a long list of related features and a package system allowing further expandability without adding bloat and potential security vulnerabilities to the base distribution. pfSense is a popular project with more than 1 million downloads since its inception, and proven in countless installations ranging from small home networks protecting a PC and an Xbox to large corporations, universities and other organizations protecting thousands of network devices.

This project started in 2004 as a fork of the m0n0wall project, but focused towards full PC installations rather than the embedded hardware focus of m0n0wall. pfSense also offers an embedded image for Compact Flash based installations.

pfSense Tutorial Links 

Installing pfSense <click here for link>
Installing pfSense in VMware under Windows <click here for link>
Multi WAN / Load Balancing <click here for link>
PFsense, dual DSL system for only 2k(or less!) <click here for link>
How can I forward ports with pfSense? <click here for link>
Port Forward Troubleshooting <click here for link>

useful guides, credits go to the authors.

PFSense + Lusca-Cache <click here for link>
PFsense+Lusca-Cache with multi-WAN links <click here for link>
Installing vmware-pfsense-dualwan-lusca.docx <click here for link> by mjdy1711xp

cpu power to network speed by juval

Modding Tools

Tools Of The Trade

Here’s a short list of  the most common tools used for modding.  Together with a simple description of  their applications and uses.

• Rotary tool

Probably one of the most famous and most commonly used tool in case modding. The rotary tool or more commonly known as the DREMEL, is one of the most important tool to have in your workshop. Paired with the right bits and attachments. The rotary tool can cut, sand, drill, route, engrave, etch, polish, etc.

• Power Drill

Useful in drilling screw holes and removing rivets, The power drill is an invaluable tool in any workshop.

• Jigsaw

One of my favorite tools in the shop. The jigsaw can be used to cut a wide variety of materials including thick acrylic sheets, aluminum and steel. With proper practice and the right type of blade. The jigsaw can cut effortlessly in any type of material with speed and precision.

• Nibbler

The nibbler is useful when cutting small holes on the case. It can also be used in cutting small window panels.

• Pop Rivet Gun and Blind Rivets

When painting or modding any case. It’s usually much easier to dis-assemble or remove parts of the case for easier access. This is where the pop rivet gun and pop rivets come handy.

•  Straight and Round Files

Used in cleaning up and straightening rough cuts in any material.

• Combination Square and Ruler

Useful when marking or making layout designs on the side panel.

Hackintosh

Hackintosh

Mac OS X is the world’s most advanced operating system, built upon a proven UNIX foundation, coupled with a GPU-accelerated desktop, intuitive networking services, and system-wide optimization for multicore CPUs. And with the Xcode integrated development environment, you have a powerful suite of tools to create engaging, innovative, and high-performance apps.

OSx86 (from Mac OS X and x86) is a collaborative hacking project to run the Mac OS X computer operating system on non-Apple personal computers with x86 architecture and x86-64 compatible processors. The effort started soon after the June 2005 Worldwide Developers Conference announcement that Apple would be transitioning its personal computers from PowerPC to Intel microprocessors.

A computer built to run this type of Mac OS X is also known as a Hackintosh, a portmanteau of the word “hack” and the name of Apple’s main brand of computers,Macintosh. Hackintoshed notebook computers are also referred to as “Hackbooks”.

How Do I Start?
* Know your system hardware (motherboard chipset, video card, LAN devices, sound controller)
* Know your Hardware Device IDs. These are also helpful in .plist files modification to allow proper identification of your hardware. Device ID can be obtained from Windows’ Device Manager (Right click on the device list, select Properties and go to the Details tab)

How would I know if my system is Mac OS X Intel compatible?
* if your system is a pre-built desktop, please check the HCL for desktops and see.
* if you are using a Laptop, please check the HCL for laptops and see.
* if you are using a custom built PC, please check the motherboards HCL and see.
* if you are using an AMD-powered system, you may also refer to the “For OSX86 AMD Users” link.
* if all of the above failed, know the chipset of your motherboard/desktop/laptop, and see what motherboards/desktops/laptops are using the same chipset. Start from there.

What OS X should I use?
* Check the HCL pages. Usually, the method of installation and the OS X used is also specified. Check also the Installation Guides.

Ready For IPv6

Are You Ready To Use IPv6 ?

I know one day its going to be a must, but 10 years ago they said by 2010 we would be forced. Now they say we still have a few years.. who knows.

I do know that the last block of unallocated addresses have been distributed so no more new IPs to the RIRs.

I dabbled a bit with he.net’s tunnelbroker service (as a geek i find it very cool and its free) but have heard of other similar servers, sixxs.net.

I setup a tunnel and have a few subnets allocated to me (a 64bit block and an entire 48 block of my own PUBLIC addresses!!! free!!! sweet!!!! yes!!! no NAT!!!)

I find something so cool about pinging my IPv6 network devices from somewhere accross the globe, watching trace routes from another continent enter my router and travel through several other routers (the virtual ones, that is, gns3) to finally get to the destination. Oh, and seeing my domain for some hops in a trace route (reverse address). I have actually had dreams about packets and routes before. i need a life lol.

Ahhh the im-connected feeling we all feel like we need.

Just curious if anyone else is curious about it or enthusiastic as I am.

The only thing that took me a bit to get to get stuck in my head was the concept of running two protocols over the same line. After that became normal then everything else seemed to fall into place, email, web sites, DNS, etc.

Also at first I thought subnetting hexadecimal (words? hextets? hexadecitet?) would be a nightware so I kept putting it off. In all reality its super easy.

The idea here is that, due to such an enormous address space, subnetting in IPv6 be less complex than IPv4, for example a P2P link may just use an entire 64 block, whereas in v4 you that would be a 30 bitmask to conserve space.

Yes, IPv6 is way better in the sense that a person is supposed to get a /48 assigned for life or something like that, so the devices he has receive an IP automatically from the router he has in the house, the ipv4 to ipv6 works automatically … I don’t think it’s going to work like this in real life though.

How To Test A Motherboard Thru Their VRMs

Voltage Regulator Modules (VRMs)

VRMs (voltage regulator modules) are a specific class of MOSFETs;

“Far from being true. A VRM module consists of the controlling IC and MosFet’s (if we focus only on semiconductors).
However, it is true that there are many type of FET’s. MOSFET being the most common one. JFET is one of the other type.”

MOSFETS are a specific type of FETs. FETs have several advantages over bipolar transistors. For a basic description on the workings of a voltage regulator, search on “7805 data” on Google or Yahoo (7805 is a basic 5-volt regulator).

VRMs take one voltage (such as +5 VDC) and produce a different, lower voltage that is needed by various components (microprocessor, memory, etc.). Each VRM can only produce one output at a time, so two different VRMs are needed if the CPU and memory operate at different voltages. The output of the VRM can be varied slightly, depending on how external components are connected and controlled, so some motherboards are able to have settable voltages for memory. CPU voltage is usually, but not always, taken care of automatically. True variable power supplies, where the voltage is variable over a large range, aren’t used in PCs. The middle leg is usually cut off, because it is connected to the case, which is soldered to the board. The case is often, but not always, connected to ground. To test one, you need to know what the input and output should be, then measure them with respect to a known ground. If the VRM produces no or low output with proper input, either it’s bad, or an external controlling component is bad. If the input is bad, look for upstream damage. Usually, it’s best to test a VRM in-circuit (with CPU, memory, etc. removed!) so that the output can be checked at the immediate output of the VRM, as well as at the point of connection of the powered device.

The VRM chip generates drive pulses for the gate of the MOSFET. The MOSFET drives the inductor and the resulting spikes are rectified and filtered either with a synchronous rectifier fet controlled by the VRM chip or a diode.the chip gets feedback from the output to vary the duty cycle thus the output voltage. Tthe technical name is buck converter. Buck converter is the entire circuit, buck controller is the ic that controls the converter.

Taking Care of Your Hard Disk

Hard Disk Drives Should Be Treated Well

Despite the obvious importance of this equipment to your system, many users neglect to care for their hard disk drive. Your drive is easily susceptible to many sources of damage.

Unexpected system shutdown due to power outage and system freeze due to bad hardware parts, overheated parts, bad installation software, or bad practice in overclocking that makes the system unstable, are just some of the cause of bad sectors in Hard Disk Drives or HDDs. The more frequent the scandisk before booting windows due to unexpected system shutdown is a bad sign that your hard disk is doomed to have corrupt system files & finally to eventually have bad sectors on it.

All newly manufactured disks actually have bad sectors on them!

This is a consequence of the manufacturing technology and tolerances inherent in them. The factory does a low level scan and ‘formats’ it by putting the needed entries inthe BPB to lock out these physical imperfections.

Logically, avoidance of shock is the best way to ensure data integrity. of course, a disk should never be moved when powered on. Careful handling and proper mounting are key. Operationally, airflow and keeping the airhole open (that little dimple amrked ‘do not cover’ on your new hard disk) are all that are really needed. AFAIK, only the WDC raptor 10ks require active cooling, but that is more to prevent thermal build-up inside your case. And of course, register your drive online with the original manufacturer. I have found that WDC and Hitachi go out of heir way to help the end-user even when your local dealer has abandoned you.

Some new hitachi drives have active protection – their electronics can detect if they are falling and automatically lock the heads to prevent data loss. Try to get some of these new drives if you can – they are appearing first in the new deskstar notebook HDDs.

Building Your Own LCD Projector

Do-It-Yourself LCD Projector 

For movies, gaming, karaoke and outdoor use

Materials Needed.
A> Lenses
1. Projection lens- Magnifies the image of the lcd
2. Fresnel lens
a. Field fresnel – Converged the lighted image of the lcd to the projection lens
b. Collimator fresnel- Focuses on the lamp. Collects the light from the lamp and transmit parallel light rays to the lcd.
3.Front surface mirror-optional
4. 12v dc power supply for fans and lcd-use pc power supply

B>Light Engine
1. Metal halide bulb- 150w -250w: high lumens/ color temperature bulb
2. Ballast- Controls the power delivered to the lamp
3. Capacitor- Power factor corrector. power saver
4. Ignitor- Start up the lamp creating 3.4kv sparks to fire the chemical inside the lamp
5. Reflector- Recovers wasted light from the lamp
6. Condenser lens – Increase light collecting efficiency and divert more light to collimator fresnel
7. IR/UV filter- reduce temperature of lcd created by heat /infrared radiation generated by the lamp. Reduce UV rays to prevent discoloration of lcd.

Others
1. Front surface mirror- bend the light to make the box smaller
2. 2-units blower fans – cool down all the parts inside the projector
3. Fan grill- use for mounting parts of the light engine
4. bolts and nuts of diff sizes

How To Back Up Your UMD

Back Up the UMD Games of Your Beloved PSP

Needed

-computer
-any model of psp (as long as its CFW)
-usb cable
-UMD

Instructions:
1.boot your psp and press select to show vsh menu.

2.at the selection,change USB DEVICE to UMD Disc
3.connect your psp to your computer thru usb cable

4.open the folder and copy the ISO file to your desktop.
5.disconnect your psp and press select button.
6.change USB DEVICE to memory stick
7.connect your psp to your computer
8.copy your backup file to ISO folder of your memory stick.
9.you can now play your backup copy of your umd.