Crossover Vs. Patch Cables

Crossover cables have pins 1&2 swapped with pins 3&6. Patch cables have no swaps. When you look at the plastic connector on each end (pins up), you should be able to tell which you have based on the colors inside.

What do you need a crossover cable for? Crossover cables are usually used for connecting between network equipment, but usually home network stuff autodetect whether or not you are using a crossover cable, or there is a button to push to switch between the 2, usually on port 1. The only time I have seen where you absolutely have to have a crossover cable is between a DSL router and a computer or switch, or for connecting 2 computers without a switch or hub. (I use one for connecting my Xbox to a computer.)

Randy R

I've always thought of cross over cables as a subset of patch cables. A patch cable in it's most generic meaning is a cable used to "patch" a circuit between 2 jacks. Within that generic meaning I think of regular vs crossover. And most folks call patch and "regular" the same. But a crossover is a specialized case. Now days most folks don't even realize the need for crossover cables as most hubs, switches, NICs, etc., auto recognize the signals.

But to answer your question, a "patch" cable isn't always a crossover cable. The seller is wrong.

Generically speaking a 'patch lead' is not crossed.

BernieM

If you'd like examples, I have a couple of Cisco 11501 content switches operating in chassis redundancy mode where they *must* be connected by means of a crossover cable.

Mike.

Sorry, I meant in a home setting. I used to work at an IPP (Internet Presence Provider,) and I know Cisco equipment needs crossover cables when you are coonecting any network equipment to it, and the speed and duplex settings always need to be explicitly set when possible. Randy R

Yes, they are diffrent. The orange and green pairs "crossover" on a crossover cable. Not so in a regular patch cable.

Then they are morons.