[Q] What's the difference between CAT 5e patch cable and CAT 5e crossover cable?
[A] The difference has to do with the wiring of the cable and the
situation in which you will use the cable.
On
a CAT 5e patch cable, the wiring configuration is identical
on both ends of the cable.
On
a CAT 5e crossover cable, the wiring of pins 1, 2, 3, and 6
are "crossed-over" to pins 3, 6, 1, and 2.
CAT
5e crossover cables are used in situations where two devices
have the same interface, for example, connecting a hub to a
hub, or a switch to a switch, or even when patching a hub or
switch into a wallplate.
The
most common use is to connect two PCs directly to each other,
without the use of any kind of router, hub, or switch. This
is called a peer-to-peer network, and is a low-cost solution
to allow file and Internet sharing between two computers.
RELATED FAQ QUESTION: Can I use an RJ45 splitter to connect two computers to one source?
Keywords: CAT 5e patch cable, CAT 5e crossover cable, patch cable,
crossover cable
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