Straight Through Cables vs Crossover Cables
Key Difference between Straight Through Cables and Crossover Cables
Crossover cable, Pin 1 is crossed with Pin 3, and Pin 2 is crossed with Pin 6, while in Straight-through
cable Pin connection is one-to-one.
Straight-through cables are mainly used for connecting non-similar devices, while crossover cables
are mostly used for connecting similar devices.
Straight-through cable connects a computer with a DSL modem, while Crossover cable connects
Router to Router and Computer to Computer.
Straight Through Cables and Crossover Cables
What is an Ethernet cable?
An Ethernet cable is a network cable used for high-speed wired network connections between two devices.
This network cable is made of four-pair cable, which is consists of twisted pair conductors. It is used for data
transmission at both ends of the cable, which is called RJ45 connector.
The Ethernet cables are categorized as Cat 5, Cat 5e, Cat 6, and UTP cable. Cat 5 cable can support a 10/100
Mbps Ethernet network while Cat 5e and Cat 6 cable to support Ethernet network running at 10/100/1000
Mbps.
What is Straight Through Cable?
Straight Through Cable
Straight-through cable is a type of CAT5 with RJ-45 connectors at each end, and each has the same pin out. It is
in accordance with either the T568A or T568B standards. It uses the same color code throughout the LAN for
consistency. This type of twisted-pair cable is used in LAN to connect a computer or a network hub such as a
router. It is one of the most common types of network cable.
What Is Crossover Cable?
Crossover Cable
A Crossover cable is a type of CAT 5 where one end isT568A configuration and the other end as
T568BConfiguration. In this type of cable connection, Pin 1 is crossed with Pin 3, and Pin 2 is crossed with Pin
6.
Crossover cable is used to connect two or more computing devices. The internal wiring of crossover cables
reverses the transmission and receive signals. It is widely used to connect two devices of the same type: e.g.,
two computers or two switches to each other.
In regard to physical appearance, Crossover Ethernet cables are very much similar to regular Ethernet cables.
Still, they are different with regard to the order with which the wires are arranged. This type of Ethernet cable
is made to connect to network devices of the same kind over Ethernet directly. Crossover cables are mostly
used to connect two hosts directly.
Difference Between Straight Through Cables and Crossover Cables
Here are the difference between Crossover and straight-through cable
Straight through Crossover
Straight-through cable is a type of CAT5 with RJ-45
A Crossover cable is a type of CAT where one end is T568A
connectors at each end, and each has the same pin
configuration, and the other end as T568B Configuration.
out.
It is one of the most commonly used cable formats
It is used only for certain applications.
for network cables.
You can also connect it to the router’s LAN port to a You can connect it to a router’s LAN port to a switch or
switch/hub’s uplink port. hub’s regular port
Straight through cable connects a computer with a Crossover cable connects with a router’s LAN port with
cable or DSL modem’s LAN port. switch/hub normal port.
You should use straight-through cable when you You should use a crossover cable when you want to
want to connect two devices of different types. connect two devices of the same type.
It helps you connect a router’s WAN port to a cable You can connect two switches/hubs by using the normal
or DSL modem’s LAN port. port in both switches/hubs.
Straight-through cables are mainly used for While crossover cables are mostly used for connecting like
connecting, unlike devices. devices.
When to use Straight Through Cable?
Computer to network switch/hub
Here are applications where you should use Crossover Cable:
It helps you to connect a computer to a switch/hub’s normal port.
You can use it to connect a computer to a cable/DSL modem’s LAN port.
It allows you to connect a router’s WAN port to a cable/DSL modem’s LAN port.
Connect 2 switches or hubs with one of the hub or switch using an upline port and the other one using
a normal port.
When to use Crossover Cable?
Use of Cross Over Cable- computer to computer
Use of Cross Over Cable- Router to Router
Here is an application where you should use Crossover Cable:
It can use a computer to a computer with no switch or hub.
Network devise to the network device. For example, the route to the router.
Crossover cable enables one to establish a direct connection between two computing devices using
Ethernet ports.
It Connects two computers directly.
You can connect two hubs/switches by using the normal port in both switches and hubs.
Straight Through vs. Crossover Cable, which one to choose?
The selection or network cable should be done based on your application. If you want your cable to connect to
your computer and printer together, you need a crossover cable. If you have several computers and a printer,
you should buy a switch.
All the computers connected to the switch with a straight–through cable and printer should be connected to
the switch with a straight-through cable.
HUB SWITCH ROUTER PC
Hub Crossover Crossover Straight Straight
Switch Crossover Crossover Straight Straight
Router Straight Straight Crossover Crossover
PC Straight Straight Crossover Crossover
Making Ethernet Cables
Ethernet cables can be quite expensive and pre-made lengths are not always the length you need. Making
Ethernet cables is easy with a box of bulk Category 5e Ethernet cables and RJ-45 connectors that are attached
to the cut ends of your preferred cable length.
Bulk Ethernet Cable – Category 5e or CAT5e(You may also use Category 6 or CAT6 cabling, which has higher
performance specifications and is about 20% more expensive than CAT5e.)
Bulk RJ45 Crimpable Connectors for CAT-5e or Bulk RJ45 Crimpable Connectors for CAT-6
RJ-45 Crimping Tool
The two kinds of Ethernet cables you can make
Straight through Ethernet cables are the standard cable used for almost all
purposes, and are often called ‘patch cables’. It’s highly recommended you
duplicate the colour order as shown on the left. Note how the green pair is
not side-by-side, like the other pairs. This configuration allows for longer wire
runs.
Crossover Ethernet cables directly connect one computer or device to
another without going through a router, switch, or hub.
How to make a standard cable
Cut into the plastic sheath about one inch (2.5 cm) from the end of the cut
cable. The crimping tool has a razor blade that will do the trick with practice.
Unwind and pair the similar colors.
Pinch the wires between your fingers and straighten them out as shown. The
colour order is important to get correct.
Use scissors to make a straight cut across the eight wires to shorten them to half an inch (1.3 cm) from the cut
sleeve to the end of the wires.
Carefully push all eight unstripped coloured wires into the connector. Note the
position of the blue plastic sleeve. Also note how the wires go all the way to the
end.
A view from the top. All the wires are all the way in. There are no short wires.
This is the wrong way. Note how the blue plastic sleeve is not inside the
connector where it can be locked into place. The wires are too long. The wires
should extend only half an inch from the blue cut sleeve.
This is the wrong way. Note how the wires do not go all the way to the end of
the connector.
Crimping the cable. Carefully place the connector into the Ethernet crimper and
cinch down on the handles tightly. The copper splicing tabs on the connector will
pierce into each of the eight wires. There’s also a locking tab that holds the blue
plastic sleeve in place for a tight compression fit. When you remove the cable
from the crimper, that end is ready to use.
For a standard ‘straight through’ cable, repeat all steps and wire colour order on
the other end of the cable. For a crossover cable, the other end will have a
different colour order as shown by the crossover picture above.
Make sure to test the cables before installing them. An inexpensive Ethernet cable tester does this quite well.
