Difference of Straight Through and Crossover Cable

Ethernet cables can be wired as straight through or crossover. The straight through is the most common type and is used to connect computers to hubs or switches. They are most likely what you will find when you go to your local computer store and buy a patch cable. Crossover Ethernet cable is more commonly used to connect a computer to a computer and may be a little harder to find since they aren’t used nearly as much as straight through Ethernet cable. Then, what’s the difference between straight through v's crossover cable? Read through this post to find the answer.

Straight Through v's Crossover Cable

What Is Straight Through Cable?

A straight through cable is a type of twisted pair cable that is used in local area networks to connect a computer to a network hub such as a router. This type of cable is also sometimes called a patch cable and is an alternative to wireless connections where one or more computers access a router through a wireless signal. On a straight through cable, the wired pins match. Straight through cable use one wiring standard: both ends use T568A wiring standard or both ends use T568B wiring standard. The following figure shows a straight through cable of which both ends are wired as the T568B standard.

What Is A Crossover Cable?

A crossover Ethernet cable is a type of Ethernet cable used to connect computing devices together directly. Unlike straight through cable, the RJ45 crossover cable uses two different wiring standards: one end uses the T568A wiring standard, and the other end uses the T568B wiring standard. The internal wiring of Ethernet crossover cables reverses the transmit and receive signals. It is most often used to connect two devices of the same type: e.g. two computers (via network interface controller) or two switches to each other.

Straight Through v's Crossover Cable, which to choose?

Straight through v's crossover cable, which one should I choose? Usually, straight through cables are primarily used for connecting unlike devices. And crossover cables are used for connecting alike devices.

Use straight through Ethernet cable for the following cabling:

• Switch to router

• Switch to PC or server

• Hub to PC or server

Use crossover cables for the following cabling:

• Switch to switch

• Switch to hub

• Hub to hub

• Router to router

• Router Ethernet port to PC NIC

• PC to PC

Conclusion on Straight Through vs Crossover Cable

Straight through and crossover cables are wired differently from each other. One easy way to tell what you have is to look at the order of the colored wires inside the RJ45 connector. If the order of the wires is the same on both ends, then you have a straight through cable. If not, then it’s most likely a crossover cable or was wired wrong. At present, the straight through cable is much more popular than crossover cable and is widely used by people. FS.COM provides a full range straight through Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a and Cat7 Ethernet cables with many lengths and colors options. Look for Ethernet patch cables, just come to FS.COM!