Ethernet 100BaseTX and 10BaseT Cable Specifications and Guidelines

If you don't have to make Ethernet cables that often like me, when the time comes to make them I usually consult another reference just to double-check my memory. So, in those cases, this entry should help clear up those foggy memories.

Generally speaking, unless you are connecting workstations to other workstations, or routers to other routers, or hub/switches to other hub/switches you'll want a "straight-through" cable. This implies that the colored wires are in the same sequence on both ends of the cable.

What Cable Do I Need?

	Hub	Switch	Router	Workstation
Hub	Crossover	Crossover	Straight	Straight
Switch	Crossover	Crossover	Straight	Straight
Router	Straight	Straight	Crossover	Crossover
Workstation	Straight	Straight	Crossover	Crossover

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Crossover cables have the transmit and receive pins on the ends of the cables connected so that they are "crossed".

Crossover quick tip: Pin 1 to 3, and Pin 6 to 2.

Much more detail here.