February 01, 2008

Cat 5e wiring questions Curious George: Cat 5e Wiring-- Straight-through or Cross-over?

I have a Modem that connects (using Cat 5e) to a phone adapter (my land-line is through my ISP). The phone adapter then connects (again, using Cat 5e) to my router. My router then connects to various computers (parallel, of course). I know that between the router and each computer I should use straight-through cables. But I'm unsure if I need to use cross-over or straight-through for the other connections (between modem and phone adapter, and between phone adapter and router). I've tried both on each spot, and both seem to work just fine. But I suppose that the wrong way(s) will probably affect my speeds, and I'd like to do it right. (I've googled, but all the explanations I've found (about when to use which type of cable) were to simple and vague for me to be sure if I understood them correctly)

posted by Mr. Knickerbocker 16 years ago
  • Oops, I didn't put the "Curious George:" in the right spot. Sorry.
  • IANANE (I am not a network engineer) but i am pretty sure you only use ethernet cross-over cables when you're connecting one machine directly to another, not for connecting to peripherals, printers, routers or other network connections.
  • I Am a Network engineer. If it works, you did it right. Devices are typically not capable at all of dealing with crossed channels, or handle them excellently. Assuming they are electrically sound cables, reversing the transmit/receive channels will not make it any faster. :) The real answer is that certain devices belong in group x (Routers, PCs, modems, game consoles) and certain devices belong in group y (switches, hubs, bridges, and the like). The idea is that for x to y, you need a straight through, and for x to x, or y to y, you need a crossover. However, more and more network devices are being designed to intelligently switch to accommodate the other device, so eventually none of this will matter.
  • That looks like an answer, so on to the silliness... Just don't try this with Goat 5e wiring; you're almost certain to get a very bad shock.
  • It works any way that I do it. So I guess that means all my devices are designed to intelligently switch.
  • I wish I had some opportunity to steal that joke A_C.
  • Many devices will detect crossed cabling and automatically switch. This sounds like the case with your setup and it won't affect speed.
  • I guess that means all my devices are designed to intelligently switch. It means at least one of each pair is designed to intelligently switch,
  • So...this isn't actually about cats? *leaves thread*
  • I was gay until I met a beautiful Russian woman, and then discovered my device was designed to intelligently switch.
  • Just don't try this with Goat 5e wiring; you're almost certain to get a very bad shock. I understand there's a large port for that particular cable.
  • I understand there's a large port for that particular cable. RJ-145
  • No, RJ-E03
  • RJ- maybe?
  • (The E and 3 are hands...)
  • the first person to post an image in this thread is banned!
  • The protocol required for getting an RJ-EO3 connection is a bitch, but the throughput... wow. Terrifying.
  • Best combination of odd discussion to come together in an unbelievably bizarre joke. Evar.
  • ...the throughput... wow. Terrifying. Truly, the fattest pipe around.