Physical Networking

[zman6911]

I was just over at www.belkin.com to take a look at networking cable so I can wire my house. I already have networking cable running arround my house (Patch Cable I believe) but it isnt very neat. It is just laying all about my floor and if OSHA saw it, they'd probably have a fit. Before I go and wire my house for speed, I have a few questions.

What is the difference between patch cable, horizontal cable, and Crossover Cable.
and...
What cable should I use to run through my walls to jacks.
What cable should I use from the jacks to the computers.
What cable should I use from hub to hub / switch to switch.

<EDIT> Whoops, this would probably get a better response in the networking forum .. heading over there now </EDIT>

 

[Viper GTS]

A patch cable directly connects the pins from one jack to the pins on the other. A crossover switches the send/receive pins, allowing for a direct connection between two devices with no intermediate device (usually a hub or switch). I'm not familiar with the term &quot;horizontal cable,&quot; although it might be the same as a rollover cable...

Patch info
Crossover info

Viper GTS

 

[Electric Amish]

A crossover cable is for connecting PC to PC without a switch/hub in between. Basically the send &amp; recieve wires are reversed on each end. You really don't need one.

Patch cable is just a term for a short Cat5e cable. (I think)

For inside your walls you need Cat5e cable (latest standard) there is also a certain grade for construction codes. I'm not sure what that is.

From the computers to the jacks just standard Cat5e patch cables.

Hub to hub (if the hubs have Uplink ports) just regular Cat5e. If the hubs don't have uplinks, then you'll need crossovers.

Switch to switch is just standard Cat5e patch.

amish