Category 5 cabling (sometimes called Twisted Pair or 10 Base T, 100 base T) is used in Ethernet networks. Each end of the cable has what looks like a telephone connector, but wider. Cat5 is used by most ethernet devices including wireless access points and bridges.
There are two types of Cat5 cables.
- Straight through - These cables connect a device to a switch or hub.
- Cross Over (or X Over).
In a straight through Cat5 cable you have four pairs of copper wire (for a total of 8 wires). A straight through wire connects pins 1-8 to pins 1-8 on each end of the cable.
A Cross over cable is used to connect two computers, or devices together without using a switch or hub. It's called a cross over cable, because the transmit and receive wires are "cross over".
You can buy a cross over cable, or make one yourself. The wiring diagram for a cross over cable looks like:
See also:
T1 cross over - Cross over cable for T1 channels
