Re: ethernet cable type
 

Also, if you're making your own cables, make sure you have the wires in the correct order. Follow the order specified in TIA568-A or -B. Pick one of those standards and stick with it. A crossover cable is really 568-A on one side and 568-B on the other.

Finally, make sure you have a cable tester if you are making your own. Bad crimps and kinked cable can cause all sorts of intermittent, maddening problems.

Re: ethernet cable type
 

A cable tester is probably a good investment even if you don't make your own cables, especially for the kind of "mission critical" environment our cables will often see.

If you don't have a crimper to make/fix cables, then plan to keep a few spares, and if a cable starts acting up (and you can confirm the cable is bad), toss it in the garbage.

Re: ethernet cable type
 

I'd recommend getting a cable tester and a bunch of LONG (50ft+) pre-made ethernet cables from Monoprice. Moulded cables, in my experience, last significantly longer than any cable I've made myself, especially given the abuse they receive from a team.