So I want to connect two GigE network interfaces together to create a small two PC network. I'm not sure if a crossover cable is still required, or if the internal circuits auto-detect when the RX/TX lines should be swapped.
???
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I think routers generally auto-detect crossover cables, and PC's generally don't. I could very well be wrong, but I remember talk of that a year or two back--perhaps newer PC ethernet jacks are also auto-detecting.
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I don't know if this helps, but I've had mixed success networking to computers with a regular cat5 cable...but it has worked.
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blue68f100 Notebook Virtuoso
If the mfg added the detection in as per spec it should work. Some work some don't, give it a try and let us know.
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You would normally need a crossover cable unless;
Automatic crossover
Automatic MDI/MDI-X Configuration is specified as an optional feature in the 1000BASE-T standard[1], meaning that straight-through cables will usually work between Gigabit capable interfaces. This feature eliminates the need for crossover cables, obsoletes the uplink/normal ports and manual selector switches found on many older hubs and switches, greatly reducing installation errors. Note that although Automatic MDI/MDI-X is generally implemented, a crossover cable would still be required in the occasional situation that neither of the connected devices has the feature implemented and enabled.
Even for legacy 10/100 devices, many NICs, switches and hubs automatically apply an internal crossover when necessary. Besides the eventually agreed upon Automatic MDI/MDI-X, this feature may also be referred to by various vendor-specific terms including: Auto uplink and trade, Universal Cable Recognition and Auto Sensing. -
Alright, I'll try a standard cable tonight.
Question two: Is Cat5e good for GigE connections? -
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Cat5e is fine for gig ethernet. However, on all the switches i set up i use a cross over cable between them. I also like to use a different colored cable (yellow) for cross over, and blue for between patch panels and switches. It looks much nicer that way and is easier to find cables...but i think your just doing it at your house so you probably don't have many devices, or even a patch panel.
Err edit. i thought you were connecting 2 gig switches together. -
Nope...just two GigE adapters. I think both are Broadcom ICs, which gave me hope that I didn't need a crossover.
And it turns out that it looks like I do not need one. Just tried.
Turns out I'm pretty lucky too...a random Cat5 cable I found allowed the two to auto-negotiate to a 1Gbps link...perfect. -
Good for you, enjoy it
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Sweet...my two PCs are now file sharing...I can finally dump all my D430 data into my XPS 420 automatically.
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That's right, even the router for the residential market are I believe switches level 4, which is also a designation for smart switches.
Anyway, almost nobody talk about crossover cables anymore. -
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Lol, very funny story, and perhaps was not Bill and Bob, it was Bill and Gate
This is as old as rs232, where the TX/RX tips needed to be inverted to connect one machine to another. -
blue68f100 Notebook Virtuoso
With RS232 there were a lot of wiring setups. I had to makeup custom cables all the time for box a to talk to box b. I have a smart cable config box to custom config cables bases on the what signals are need and which ones need to be forced high to make it work. With this box I could have a working cable pinout in less than a minute. The fun of acq and control work.
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@ Wirelessman & blue...i like my version of the story better...lol...but thnx for the technical side....
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not to young...48...just didn't get into the pc scene until about 2000
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Well, RS232 was also used in many other applications, like data modems for monitoring systems, etc.
Crossover cable - still needed?
Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by Greg, Jul 8, 2008.