Difference Between Straight Through, Crossover, And Rollover Cables

Straight-through cables get their name from how they are made. Out of the 8 pins that exist on both ends of an Ethernet cable, each pin connects to the same pin on the opposite side. Review the diagram below for a visual example:

This kind of wiring diagram is part of the T-568A standard.

Straight-through cables are primarily used for connecting unlike devices.
    * 1. Connecting a router to a hub
    * 2. Connecting a computer to a swtich
    * 3. Connecting a LAN port to a switch, hub, or computer

The Purpose of Crossover Cables

Crossover cables have pairs of wires that crisscross. This allows for two devices to communicate at the same time. 

Switch the orange-white and green-white wires, and then the orange and green wires. This will enable like devices to communicate.

Use crossover cables to connect like devices.
    * 1. Connecting a computer to a router(exceptional)
    * 2. Connecting a computer to a computer
    * 3. Connecting a router to a router
    * 4. Connecting a switch to a switch
    * 5. Connecting a hub to a hub

The Purpose of Rollover Cables

Rollover cables essentially have one end of the cable wired exactly opposite from the other.  Rollover cables, also called Yost cables, usually connect a device to a router or switch’s console port. This allows a programmer to make a connection to the router or switch, and program it as needed.

Notice that each wire is simply “rolled over.” These types of cables are generally not used very much, so are usually colored differently from other types of cables.

The Console Cable

Console cable are mainly used to configure CISCO routers or switch using HyperTerminal

Don’t plug it into the Ethernet port!   Remember, it is a Serial Cable.

You need to connect it to the 9 PIN serial port on your PC  and the other end to a router at the console port(not Ethernet port).

Once connection is done you need to use your terminal emulator to communicate with the console port.