Ethernet crossover cable

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An Ethernet crossover cable can be used to directly connect two network devices through Ethernet. These can either be single computers, or they can be networks.

Ethernet crossover cables are commonly used for temporarily networking two devices in the absence of a network router, switch or hub. The principle is the same, but the connection speeds and methods are different. The function of the crossover cable is to send and receive the data. Ethernet crossover cables enable complex data transfers between computers, routers, and networks.

Unlike standard Ethernet cables, the internal wiring of Ethernet crossover cables reverses the incoming and outgoing signals. The reversed wires are color-coded and can be observed inside the RJ-45 connectors at each end of the cable. Standard cables have an identical sequence of colored wires on each ending while crossover cables have the 1st and 3rd, 2nd and 6th wires crossed. Note that a crossover cable differs from the usual Ethernet cable as the crossover cable allows data to be sent and received on both ends, whereas the usual Ethernet cable allows only one-way data transfers.

NOTE: Crossover cables should only be used for direct network connections while connecting devices of the same type. For example, connecting a computer to a network hub with a crossover cable will prevent the network from functioning.