what cables do I need

[jayzad]

I need to set up a win 98 pc with a win xp pc, for internet connection sharring. Do I need a cat 5 crossover cable that is less then 100'? I also need to add a pc to a networked workgroup on a hub to do peer to peer file and printer sharring. Do I use the same cable or do I need a cat 5 non crossover cable if there is one? Thanks :t

[BipolarBill]

Are these different networks or are you planning on three PCs on one?

[jayzad]

there is one network with 5 pc's, that are set up on one network hub as peer to peer, for file, and printer sharring. I want to add another PC to this network. So I need some cable, and I was just woundering what kind of cable I'll need.

Then I have two other PC in another building that I want share the internet conncetion. One is 98, other is xp. I think I just need cat 5 crossover for that.

[$1500-P4 gamer]

Well if running only two a cross-over cable is fine. If you are running three or more then you need to have a hub or a switch (switches are faster, as I just found out). BP's the man for more than one pc networking. I'm a beginer at it, but 2 pc's are easy. Getting them to talk is the harder part. You'll be back- as BP would say!;) Good luck.

[BipolarBill]

Originally posted by jayzad
there is one network with 5 pc's, that are set up on one network hub as peer to peer, for file, and printer sharring. I want to add another PC to this network. So I need some cable, and I was just woundering what kind of cable I'll need.

Then I have two other PC in another building that I want share the internet conncetion. One is 98, other is xp. I think I just need cat 5 crossover for that.

For example #1, you just need a patch cable and a free port on the hub/router.

For #2, you need two NICS on the host and a crossover cable. A router is the smarter way to go though.

[jayzad]

I'm sorry guys, I should have did better with the detail, I know I need nic cards, and hubs with open ports. Let me try this.

A friend has a business, with a peer to peer network with a hub, and on this peer to peer network there 5 pc's, and a a 8 port hub with 3 open ports. I can't tell for sure what type of cable is being used on the 5pc's but I do know it is cat 5.

So Mr. Bipolar I think you are saying just to get a cat 5 patch cable, and there is no need for cat 5 crossover cable?

Mr. Bipolar let me ask you this what would happen if all I need here is a cat 5 patch cable, and for what ever reason I decided to use a cat 5 crossover cable striaght from the hub to the other new pc to the network?

On the issue with the other two pc's at another address, (my house) I understand there may be better and more easier ways to do a Internet connection sharring setup. All I want to do for now is to run a cat 5 crossover cable between the two PC's. I know what to do there, and I do understand the issues between win 98 and win xp. Later I'll set up router,,,,I have to go cheep right now. Building two rooms on the house.
Thanks guys....and yes I know I will be back....been doing that for several years..This was the best and the first bbs I found on the net. PS congrates Mr. Bipolar Mod :t :D

[BipolarBill]

you are saying just to get a cat 5 patch cable, and there is no need for cat 5 crossover cable? Thats exactly what I mean.if I decided to use a cat 5 crossover cable striaght from the hub to the other new pc to the network? You would get massive data collision and non-connectivity.This was the best and the first bbs I found on the net. PS congrates Mr. Bipolar Mod Thanks for me and SysOpt! ;)

[jayzad]

Mr. Bipolar, I noticed that one of the PC on this peer to peer network has a read cable coming out of the wall to it. And there is one port on the hub that also has a read cable in it. Could the this be a crossover cable, and this one pc set up to be a type of server?
I think you check this cable by lining up the two ends of the cable in the SAME driection and if the wires are reversed when looking through the plastic connectors. If this is the case I'm assuming the rest of the cables to each pc are cat 5 patch cables?

[BipolarBill]

I think you check this cable by lining up the two ends of the cable in the SAME driection and if the wires are reversed when looking through the plastic connectors. If this is the case I'm assuming the rest of the cables to each pc are cat 5 patch cables? That sounds about right.
Could the this be a crossover cable, and this one pc set up to be a type of server? The red cable could be anything. It might have "XOVER" printed on it, but many cablers make their own. If it gives you collisions (watch the hub lights), it's a crossover.

[rick42]

I don't know what you mean by a "read cable". A server doesn't need any special cable.

Normally, connect a pc (or other device) to a hub/router with a regular patch cable.
To connect a hub to the next hub/router connect a patch cable to the uplink port and the other end to a regular port on the next hub.
If, for some reason, the uplink port is unusable, then you can use a cross over cable. Connect a regular port to a regular port with the cross over cable.

[BipolarBill]

I think he meant "red cable". He and I have chatted about this before. It's like a recurring nightmare. ;)

[jayzad]

OK thanks :t

[$1500-P4 gamer]

"I think he meant "red cable". He and I have chatted about this before. It's like a recurring nightmare. "

Hey atleast you know you are needed around here. Look how often people ask for you specifically. That should give you a warm feeling!;)

[BipolarBill]

It is nice to be needed. :)

[pinkey777]

For what it's worth, as I think the problem has been addressed.

A crossover cable is TYPICALLY only used to connect the ports of a switch/hub to a hub/switch. Connecting hubs and switches together is about the only time I can think you would ever need a crossover cable.

Or, to connect 2 pc's together without a HUB or switch.(on the cheap)

For example, if I was having a really big lan party, and I had one 8 port switch and three 8 port hubs, I'd connect the hubs to the switch with short crossover cables (pretending to ignore the 1 uplink port for simplicity). This would give me 26 ports to connect straight thru CAT-5 cables to all the computers.

And, keep those crossover cables as short as you can when connecting hubs and switches.

And for your sanity and those that will follow you, label those darn crossovers really clear on both ends.