STRAIGHT THRU (THROUGH) Ethernet Cable Configuration

Networking cables are used to connect one network device to other network devices or to connect two or more computers to share printer, scanner etc. Different types of network cables like Coaxial cable, Optical fiber cable, Twisted Pair cables are used depending on the network's topology, protocol and size. The devices can be separated by a few meters (e.g. via Ethernet) or nearly unlimited distances (e.g. via the interconnections of the Internet).

Twisted pair cabling is a type of wiring in which two conductors of a single circuit are twisted together for the purposes of canceling outelectromagnetic interference (EMI) from external sources; for instance, electromagnetic radiation from unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables, and cross talk between neighboring pairs.

STRAIGHT THROUGH NETWORK CABLES
(Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet)

Straight through network cables are typically used when connecting computers using external networking devices such as ROUTER, HUB or SWITCH. There are typically two general configurations for the color coding for cables. The T568-A which is used under the international building code and the T568-B which is used under the industry or conventional code. To crimp a straight through networking cable. You can simply configure it the same from endpoint-to-endpoint. When you use the T658-A to endpoint 1, the same configuration to endpoint 2 of the cable likewise, T568-B configuration applies the same procedure.

Fig 1 - T658A and T658B network cable color coding

Straight through cable can be used on both Fast Ethernet (10/100 Base-T) and Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Base-T). the difference is just pins 1,2,3 and 6 are the only functional pins in Fast Ethernet while all pins are functional in Gigabit Ethernet.


CROSSOVER NETWORK CABLES
(Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet)

A. Fast Ethernet

In configuring Crossover network cable to be used in a fast Ethernet connection, refer to Figure 1 by configuring endpoint A as T568-A color code and endpoint B as T568-B color code. To make it simple, you can create a crossover fast Ethernet cable by using the combination of the T568-A and T568-B configuration.

B. Gigabit

Since in gigabit pin configuration, pin 4,5,7 and 8 are already used there is a difference between its pin configuration. Use the configuration below as a reference.