When to Use a Crossover or Straight Through

When to use a crossover cable or Straight Through Cable:

Computer to Computer                  – Crossover

Switch to Switch                              – Crossover

Computer to Modem                      – Straight Through

Computer to Switch                        – Straight Through

Switch To Router                            – Both (if you have problems, go with crossover)

there are a few exceptions, but generally most computers in a LAN are connected to a switch, not directly to each other.

Most switches are now smart switches and can handle a straight through cable, and it will work the same, however if there is older firmware, and just to be safe; use a crossover whenever possible.

If you run into a legacy equipment such as a Hub, it works in the same way as a switch, except for you would want to seperate multiple hubs with a bridge so there are not a lot of collisions (this is the reason for the move to switches, having multiple computers being able to access one server at a time)