8
C H A P T E R 1
Intel Express 10/100 Fast Ethernet Switch
Straight-through vs. crossover cables
Ports on the switch are wired MDI-X so you can use a straight-
through cable when connecting to a workstation or server (adapter
cards are wired MDI). For direct connection to another MDI-X port
(most hubs and some switches), you must use a crossover cable.
NIC RJ-45 (MDI)
Switch/Hub RJ-45 (MDI-X)
Switch/Hub RJ-45 (MDI-X)
Switch/Hub RJ-45 (MDI-X)
A straight-through
(standard) cable connects
MDI ports to MDI-X ports.
A crossover cable
connects MDI-X ports to
MDI-X ports (or MDI ports
to MDI ports).
NOTE
When making your own
cables, wires 1 and 2
must be a twisted pair
and 3 and 6 must be a
twisted pair.
