Ethernet Types

Ethernet Cable
Ethernet Cable
• An Ethernet cable is a common type of network cable used with wired

networks. Ethernet cables connect devices such as PCs, routers, and
switches within a local area network.
• These physical cables are limited by length and durability. If a network

cable is too long or of poor quality, it won't carry a good network signal.
These limits are one reason there are different types of Ethernet cables
that are optimized to perform certain tasks in specific situations.
Types of Ethernet Cables
• Straight-through (Patch Cable )

• Crossover cable
• Rollover cable
T-568A vs. T-568B
Straight-through
A patch cable, also called straight-through cable,
is a type of twisted pair cable. On an Ethernet
patch cable, the wired pins match. Patch Cables
use one wiring standard: both ends use T-568A
wiring standard or both ends use T-568B wiring
standard. The following figure shows a straight-
through cable of which both ends are wired as
the T-568B standard.
Straight-through
Straight Through (Patch Cable) are used:
•Connecting a router to a hub
•Connecting a computer to a switch
•Connecting a LAN Port to a switch or computer
.
Crossover Cable
An Ethernet crossover cable is a type of
Ethernet cable used to connect computing
devices together directly. Unlike patch
cable, crossover cable uses two different
wiring standards on both ends: one end uses
the T568A wiring standard, and the other
end uses the T568B wiring standard. The
internal wiring of Ethernet crossover cables
reverses the transmit and receive signals.
Crossover Cable
Crossover Cables are used:
Connecting a computer to a computer
Connecting a switch to a switch
Connecting a router to a router
Connecting a hub to a hub

Patch Cables vs. Crossover Cable: When to Use?
Scenario 1: PC to PC
If we have two computers connected directly to each other. And both PCs try to transmit on
TX wire, their signals will collide. Moreover, nothing will be sent on RX wire. Therefore, neither
computer will be able to receive anything. At this point, the crossover cable is needed to make
connections between two PCs. Since this kind of cable is crossed, the signal sent on TX wire
from PC 1 can be received on the RX wire of PC 2. This is the reason why the crossover cables
are often used to connect two same devices.
Scenario 2: PC to Switch to PC
What happens if a switch is mixed between two computers? In fact, switch is designed to
communicate in between two computers, which has an innate crossing of the wires.
Therefore, we do not need the cable to cross for us. What the PC 1 sends on its TX wire is
received by the switch on its RX wire, and then transmits on its TX wire, finally is received by
the other PC's RX wire. And vice versa. Therefore, when a switch is connected to a PC, it can
simply use a patch cable like Cat5e or Cat6 patch cable..
Scenario 3: PC to Switch to Switch to PC
What then happens if we have two switches in the mix? Two switches separately cross the wire
once, therefore another pair crossing in between the switches is emerges. As mentioned above,
two same devices need a cross cable to make a connection. From the diagram above, we can see:
(1) When PC 1 connects to the Switch 1, we require a patch cable.
(2) When Switch 1 connects to the Switch 2, we require a crossover cable.
(3) When Switch 2 connects to the PC 2, we require a patch cable.
Rollover Cable
A rollover cable (also known as a Yost
cable, Cisco cable, or a console cable) is a
type of null-modem cable that is used to
connect a computer terminal to a router's
console port. This cable is typically flat
(and has a light blue color) to help
distinguish it from other types of network
cabling.
Rollover Cable
Ethernet Cable Categories
Category Max. Data Rate Bandwidth Max. Distance Usage
Category 1 1 Mbps 0.4 MHz Telephone and modem lines
Category 2 4 Mbps 4 MHz LocalTalk & Telephone
Category 3 10 Mbps 16 MHz 100 m (328 ft.) 10BaseT Ethernet
Category 4 16 Mbps 20 MHz 100 m (328 ft.) Token Ring
Category 5 100 Mbps 100 MHz 100 m (328 ft.) 100BaseT Ethernet
Category 5e 1 Gbps 100 MHz 100 m (328 ft.) 100BaseT Ethernet, residential homes
Category 6 1 Gbps 250 MHz 100 m (328 ft.) Gigabit Ethernet, commercial buildings
10Gb at 37 m (121 ft.)
Category 6a 10 Gbps 500 MHz 100 m (328 ft.) Gigabit Ethernet in data centers and commercial buildings
Category 7 10 Gbps 600 MHz 100 m (328 ft.) 10 Gbps Core Infrastructure
Category 7a 10 Gbps 1000 MHz 100 m (328 ft.) 10 Gbps Core Infrastructure
40Gb at 50 m (164 ft.)
Category 8 25 Gbps (Cat8.1) 2000 MHz 30 m (98 ft.) 25 Gbps/40 Gbps Core Infrastructure
40 Gbps (Cat8.2)
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Ethernet Types

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Ethernet Cable

• An Ethernet cable is a common type of network cable used with wired

• These physical cables are limited by length and durability. If a network

• Straight-through (Patch Cable )

Straight Through (Patch Cable) are used:

•Connecting a router to a hub

•Connecting a computer to a switch

•Connecting a LAN Port to a switch or computer

Connecting a computer to a computer

Connecting a switch to a switch

Connecting a router to a router

Connecting a hub to a hub

Category 2 4 Mbps 4 MHz LocalTalk & Telephone

Category 3 10 Mbps 16 MHz 100 m (328 ft.) 10BaseT Ethernet

Category 4 16 Mbps 20 MHz 100 m (328 ft.) Token Ring

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