Even though it’s wrong, a lot of people use the terms crossover cable and straight-through cables interchangeably because they’re technically both Ethernet cables. To help you avoid using the wrong terminology, we’re going to compare crossover cables vs. straight-through Ethernet cables in our guide below. If you’d like to learn more, we encourage you to read on.
Straight-through cables
In general, a straight-through cable is essentially your standard Ethernet cable with an RJ-45 connector on each side and usually a twisted pair cable. Some people will also refer to straight-through cables as patch cables. On a straight-through cable, the connectors have identical pins on both sides which allow them to connect one device to a different type of device. A few common applications for straight-through cables include:
- Switch to PC
- Switch to server
- Switch to router
- Hub to PC
Crossover cables
While straight-through cables connect different types of devices, a crossover cable connects the same type of devices. In order to learn how a crossover cable works, we must look at the pins at the connector. Within the RJ-45 connector, you’ll notice that the pins on a crossover cable don’t match on both sides and that’s intentional. To allow two alike devices to connect using a single cable, one connector must receive the data while the other sends data and vice versa. The applications of crossover cables range from:
- Switch to switch
- Hub to hub
- Router to router
- PC to PC
If you ever had what appears to be an Ethernet cable, you can determine if it’s a crossover cable vs. straight-through Ethernet cable by looking at the pins. You could also look at the cable’s jacket, as most manufacturers indicate the cable type there. If you can’t clearly identify the type of cable by looking at it or the cable’s in rough shape, you’re better off purchasing a new cable.
Whether you’re looking for a 20 ft. Ethernet cable, 100 ft., bulk cables, or even switches, CableWholesale has you covered. Our team is made up of industry veterans giving us the know-how and technical knowledge required to be successful in this business. That said, we always guarantee top-quality products and customer service because we refuse to settle for anything less. Check out our inventory on our online shop and feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.
