this post was submitted on 17 Nov 2023
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Home Networking

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Hi all, moved into a prewired house (built in 2003) and am trying to get my office connected to my router. The office has one of these green wires terminated at a wall jack while the rest of the house has the blue, which I just put new terminals on and plugged into a 10 port switch, then my router without issue. Question is, what is this thing that all the green CAT 5 wires connect to? The bulk of the wiring is strung through the attic space and drops down into the access panel in my closet. Do I need this thing or does it serve as some sort of bus? I just see wires come in and wires going out. Do I need to disconnect it and identify the office wire or can this be used somehow?

Thanks and any help would be appreciated!

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[โ€“] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This is the original cat 5 termination, its correct name is the M-66 block. Used for phone and data (10 base T). It was used for years after data gained popularity and higher speeds required a better terminal. The good news is the cat5E cable is still very usable for data. It may not get you gigabit speed but more than sufficient for general household PC use.

[โ€“] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Thank you! I'll be repurposing the CAT5 as WIFI and gigabit service still doesn't mean my work calls don't drop. Hardwired is the way.