What type of UTP cable would you use to connect a PC directly to another PC?

The simplest method to connect two computer systems without using the internet is through an ethernet cable. Once the connection is established the two systems can share files between them and also view and edit those files. In this tutorial, we will learn to step by step to establish a connection between two computers using an ethernet cable.

One of most basic ways to share files and other resources with another computer in your office is via a direct cable connection. However, you cannot use a regular Ethernet cable -- called a straight-through or a patch cable -- to accomplish this. Instead, you need a Category 5, or CAT 5, or later crossover cable, available from any computer supply store. Crossover cables look identical to straight-through cables, but have several wire pairs reversed at one end, so make sure you get the correct cable.

1. 1.

   Plug one end of the crossover CAT cable into the Ethernet port on the first computer.

2. 2.

   Plug the other end into the second machine. The connectivity LED on both network cards should be flashing green.

3. 3.

   Log into one of the computers.

4. 4.

   Click "Start," type “Network and Sharing Center” (without quotation marks) in the Search box, then click “Network and Sharing Center” when it appears in the search results.

5. 5.

   Double-click on “Multiple networks” or “Unidentified network,” as appropriate. This icon displays at the top under “View your basic network information and set up connections.”

6. 6.

   Double-click on the computer icon labeled with your second computer’s name to access its files and resources.

   Different situations may require UTP cables to be wired according to different wiring conventions. This means that the individual wires in the cable have to be connected in different orders to different sets of pins in the RJ-45 connectors.

   The following are main cable types that are obtained by using specific wiring conventions:

   • Ethernet Straight-through: The most common type of networking cable. It is commonly used to interconnect a host to a switch and a switch to a router.
   • Ethernet Crossover: An uncommon cable used to interconnect similar devices together. For example to connect a switch to a switch, a host to a host, or a router to a router.
   • Rollover: A Cisco proprietary cable used to connect to a router or switch console port.

   Using a crossover or straight-through cable incorrectly between devices may not damage the devices, but connectivity and communication between the devices will not take place. This is a common error in the lab and checking that the device connections are correct should be the first troubleshooting action if connectivity is not achieved.

   The figure shows the UTP cable type, related standards, and typical application of these cables. It also identifies the individual wire pairs for the TIA 568A and TIA 568B standards.

   An Ethernet cable is a network cable used for high-speed wired network connections between two devices. This network cable is made of four-pair cable, which is consists of twisted pair conductors. It is used for data transmission at both ends of the cable, which is called RJ45 connector.

   The Ethernet cables are categorized as Cat 5, Cat 5e, Cat 6, and UTP cable. Cat 5 cable can support a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet network while Cat 5e and Cat 6 cable to support Ethernet network running at 10/100/1000 Mbps.

   What is Straight Through Cable?

   
   Straight Through Cable

   Straight-through cable is a type of CAT5 with RJ-45 connectors at each end, and each has the same pin out. It is in accordance with either the T568A or T568B standards. It uses the same color code throughout the LAN for consistency. This type of twisted-pair cable is used in LAN to connect a computer or a network hub such as a router. It is one of the most common types of network cable.

   What Is Crossover Cable?

   
   Crossover Cable

   A Crossover cable is a type of CAT 5 where one end isT568A configuration and the other end as T568BConfiguration. In this type of cable connection, Pin 1 is crossed with Pin 3, and Pin 2 is crossed with Pin 6.

   Crossover cable is used to connect two or more computing devices. The internal wiring of crossover cables reverses the transmission and receive signals. It is widely used to connect two devices of the same type: e.g., two computers or two switches to each other.

   In regard to physical appearance, Crossover Ethernet cables are very much similar to regular Ethernet cables. Still, they are different with regard to the order with which the wires are arranged. This type of Ethernet cable is made to connect to network devices of the same kind over Ethernet directly. Crossover cables are mostly used to connect two hosts directly.

   Difference Between Straight Through Cables and Crossover Cables

   Here are the difference between Crossover and straight-through cable

   Straight throughCrossoverStraight-through cable is a type of CAT5 with RJ-45 connectors at each end, and each has the same pin out.A Crossover cable is a type of CAT where one end is T568A configuration, and the other end as T568B Configuration.It is one of the most commonly used cable formats for network cables.It is used only for certain applications.You can also connect it to the router’s LAN port to a switch/hub’s uplink port.You can connect it to a router’s LAN port to a switch or hub’s regular portStraight through cable connects a computer with a cable or DSL modem’s LAN port.Crossover cable connects with a router’s LAN port with switch/hub normal port.You should use straight-through cable when you want to connect two devices of different types.You should use a crossover cable when you want to connect two devices of the same type.It helps you connect a router’s WAN port to a cable or DSL modem’s LAN port.You can connect two switches/hubs by using the normal port in both switches/hubs.Straight-through cables are mainly used for connecting, unlike devices.While crossover cables are mostly used for connecting like devices.

   When to use Straight Through Cable?

   
   Computer to network switch/hub

   Here are applications where you should use Crossover Cable:

   • It helps you to connect a computer to a switch/hub’s normal port.
   • You can use it to connect a computer to a cable/DSL modem’s LAN port.
   • It allows you to connect a router’s WAN port to a cable/DSL modem’s LAN port.
   • Connect 2 switches or hubs with one of the hub or switch using an upline port and the other one using a normal port.

   When to use Crossover Cable?

   
   Use of Cross over cable- computer to computer
   
   Router to Router

   Here is an application where you should use Crossover Cable:

   • It can use a computer to a computer with no switch or hub.
   • Network devise to the network device. For example, the route to the router.
   • Crossover cable enables one to establish a direct connection between two computing devices using Ethernet ports.
   • It Connects two computers directly.
   • You can connect two hubs/switches by using the normal port in both switches and hubs.

   Straight Through vs. Crossover Cable, which one to choose?

   The selection or network cable should be done based on your application. If you want your cable to connect to your computer and printer together, you need a crossover cable. If you have several computers and a printer, you should buy a switch.

   All the computers connected to the switch with a straight–through cable and printer should be connected to the switch with a straight-through cable.

   What cable is used to connect PC to PC?

   An Ethernet crossover cable is a crossover cable for Ethernet used to connect computing devices together directly. It is most often used to connect two devices of the same type, e.g. two computers (via their network interface controllers) or two switches to each other.

   What type of UTP cable is used to connect a PC to a switch port?

   To connect to a router or switch console port, you would use an RJ45 UTP rolled cable.

   Which type of UTP cables used to connect switch to switch?

   UTP Cabling.

   Which type of cable would you use to connect a laptop directly to a PC?

   1. Insert one end of the crossover cable into the laptop's Ethernet port. Either end of the cable can be used for either computer.