Cables... whats the difference

[Westat1]

I am new to networking and am wondering, what is the difference between: patch, crossover, regular cables. Is one "better" then others?

[DaveN]

patch cable usually connects between a Patch panel and Network Hub

regular cables

1 -> 1
2 -> 2
3 -> 3
4 -> 4

Crossover

1 -> 3
2 -> 6
3 -> 1
6 -> 1

you use regular cables when connecting machine together Via a Hub

and crossover cables when you what to "peer to peer" 2 machines without a hub

DaveN

[grahamstewart]

On a regular cable the 'SEND' wire is attached to the same bit of the plug at both ends. So is the 'RECIEVE' wire.

SEND ________ SEND 
RECV ________ RECV 

On a crossover cable the 'SEND' wire and the 'RECIEVE' wire are 'crossed over' and attached to each others bits on the plug. So that information sent from one PC is recieved by the other.

SEND ___ ___ SEND 
RECV ___X___ RECV 

So you use normal cables when you are just passing information along (for instance from PC to hub) and you use cross-over cables when you want to get one PC to talk to another directly without a hub (e.g. a direct peer to peer connection).