NOOB QUESTION..Patch cable or crossover?

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RogerWilcoZA

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hi folks,

In an attempt to increase my limited knowledge of home networking, I'm attempting to get my house connected with Cat5E, and wire the cables myself (bought a RJ45 crimping tool for any cables needed and punch down tool for the keystone connections). I've done a lot of research and it's mostly clear, but wanted to confirm 100%.

From my understanding, similar devices use cross-over cable (router to router, switch to switch, PC to PC etc). Unlike devices (router to switch, switch to device etc) use straight-thru.

So in my simple example at home: Router LAN port 1 >> Cat5E Keystone / Wall Plate 1 (downstairs) >> Cat5E Keystone / Wall Plate 2 (Upstairs) >> Device

I believe in this scenario I would just need straight-through cables in a 568B (pref) config for all connections?

I'm also planning on introducing a Switch at some point, but also assume straight through cables would be fine? Is there any scenario where I would need crossed cables, besides the ones mentioned above?

Thanks all
 
RogerWilcoZA said:
hi folks,

In an attempt to increase my limited knowledge of home networking, I'm attempting to get my house connected with Cat5E, and wire the cables myself (bought a RJ45 crimping tool for any cables needed and punch down tool for the keystone connections). I've done a lot of research and it's mostly clear, but wanted to confirm 100%.

From my understanding, similar devices use cross-over cable (router to router, switch to switch, PC to PC etc). Unlike devices (router to switch, switch to device etc) use straight-thru.

So in my simple example at home: Router LAN port 1 >> Cat5E Keystone / Wall Plate 1 (downstairs) >> Cat5E Keystone / Wall Plate 2 (Upstairs) >> Device

I believe in this scenario I would just need straight-through cables in a 568B (pref) config for all connections?

I'm also planning on introducing a Switch at some point, but also assume straight through cables would be fine? Is there any scenario where I would need crossed cables, besides the ones mentioned above?

Thanks all
Click to expand...

It's not going to matter if your equipment is from the last decade.
 
Straight, all the way. Like Soul Assassin said, cross-over isn't needed for most of today's equipment.
 
beans100 said:
Straight, all the way. Like Soul Assassin said, cross-over isn't needed for most of today's equipment.
Click to expand...

What I was saying is basically all networking equipment from the last 10 years will have Auto MDIX so he can use whichever cable he wants, the port will know what to do.

Auto MDIX is part of the Gigabit Ethernet standard.
 
Last edited:
Soul Assassin said:
What I was saying is basically all networking equipment from the last 10 years will have Auto MDIX so he can use which ever cable he wants, the port will know what to do.

Auto MDIX is part of the Gigabit Ethernet standard.
Click to expand...

+1, Knew that. Just suggested straight as my OCD would want a Standard/uniformity.
 
All cables wired in straight config. Here's a little diddy I use to remember:

w/o o w/g b w/b g w/br br
 
You can go straight on everything.

Crossover is only really for two devices connected directly (as in two alone and no more) and hasn’t been required in years as network cars can now do it internally.
 
agentrfr said:
All cables wired in straight config. Here's a little diddy I use to remember:

w/o o w/g b w/b g w/br br
Click to expand...

^ Use these colours. When putting the wires in, face the clip of the RJ45 connector away from you. Make sure the wires go to the end of the connector.
 
The only important part is to be consistent about what you do.

The recommendation on this thread are for Straight using the T568B standard, which seems to be used the most.

T658A: w/gr gr w/o bl w/bl o w/br br
T658B: w/o o w/gr bl w/bl gr w/br br

And if you want, find out the logic behind the choice of the pin positions, which are used for earth or ground, power, Tx, Rx etc.

The cables come in twisted pairs for a reason as well.
 
Geoff.D said:
The only important part is to be consistent about what you do.

The recommendation on this thread are for Straight using the T568B standard, which seems to be used the most.
Click to expand...
^ This.

Make all connections straight, but have a spare crossover patch cable in case some device require it.
 
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