What is the most distinguishing characteristic of an Ethernet cross-over cable?
A) An Ethernet cross-over cable is designed to directly connect Ethernet adapters without the use of a hub or switch.
B) An Ethernet cross-over cable is required when you connect Ethernet adapters to a hub or switch.
C) Ethernet cross-over cables are used in the network core to connect routers and switches.
D) There are no major differences between an Ethernet cable and an Ethernet cross-over cable.
Answer: A) An Ethernet cross-over cable is designed to directly connect Ethernet adapters without the use of a hub or switch.
When working with Ethernet connections, it’s common to have a standard Ethernet patch cable to connect Ethernet devices to network hubs or switches. When a hub or switch isn’t available, it’s still possible to directly connect Ethernet devices using a cable that reverses (or crosses-over) the send and receive connections on each side of the cable. You’ll see cross-over cables used in these unusual circumstances where a direct connection is needed, but you don’t often see cross-over cables used in normal networking practice.
The incorrect answers:
B) An Ethernet cross-over cable is required when you connect Ethernet adapters to a hub or switch.
The connection to a hub or switch is done through a traditional Ethernet patch cable. A cross-over cable will not work properly when used in place of a normal Ethernet patch cable.
(Note that many of the newer Ethernet adapters are smart enough to recognize cable signals, and can automatically adjust for proper connectivity regardless of a patch cable or a cross-over cable in use.)
C) Ethernet cross-over cables are used in the network core to connect routers and switches.
Connections between devices in the network core use traditional Ethernet patch cables, just like the kind used outside of the network core.
D) There are no major differences between an Ethernet patch cable and an Ethernet cross-over cable.
An Ethernet patch cable and an Ethernet cross-over cable are wired very differently, and they’re not interchangeable.
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