Instructions:

1
Cut your Cat-5 cable to the desired length. Add at least 3 inches to the total length in the event of wiring accidents during the rest of the process.

2
Use the wire stripper to strip 1 inch from the Cat-5 cable end.

3
Untwist all exposed wires. Place the wires in the following order from left to right to create a straight-through cable: Orange/White, Orange, Green/White, Blue, Blue/White, Green, Brown/White and Brown. Straight-through cables connect computers and devices to routers, hubs, switches and modems.

If you're making a crossover cable, which connects two computers without a hub or switch, place the wires for the second end of the cable in the following order: Green/White, Green, Orange/White, Blue, Blue/White, Orange, Brown/White and Brown.

4
Flatten the exposed wires, removing all kinks. Trim the ends of the wires with the wire stripper to half their original length to ensure you've cut the wires to equal lengths.

5
Insert the exposed wires into the RJ-45 connector. The back of the connector, the flat side, should face you.

6
Ensure that you've inserted the ends of the wires all the way to the end of the connectors and placed the colors in the correct order. If you've left any wire exposed, remove the wires and trim them slightly. Repeat this step until you've rendered the wire coating flush with the end of the connector.

7
Insert the connector into the crimp tool. Press down firmly until you hear or feel a small pop. Remove the connector, and pull lightly on the cable to ensure that you feel no slipping.