shows the two different methods of wiring jacks, RJ-45, or patch panel for TIA-568a or 568b wiring. The main difference is in the positioning of the 2nd and 3rd pairs (orange and green).
Most network jacks made in the past 15 years have the ability to be wired for either 568a or 568b. And, the jacks usually have a wiring color key printed on them to indicate where to put the wires for either pattern.
Once the wires are laid out in the appropriate pattern in the jack grooves, the technician then "terminates" the jack with a "110 Punch Tool". (see Networkadvisor.net for list of common tools)
Is one wiring method faster than the other? People will have opinions about this, but I have not seen any real evidence that one is faster. It is worth mentioning that the 568B wiring is the MOST common in the U.S.
It is important to note that you need to stay consistent with one wiring pattern or the other throughout the entire network. If you are adding on to an existing network, you need to first determine if that network is wired for "A" or "B". And then, match that wiring method.
There is also another wiring pattern known as USOC, this was more common back in the 70's and 80's for phone wiring. You want see it much any more. Unlike 568a/b, it fans the pairs out in a expanding concentric pattern. Blue in the center, Orange on pins 3/6, Green on pins 2/7 and Brown on pins 1/8. USOC is not used much anymore.
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