routers and switches

[Tech^salvager]

Why is everbody always saying to use a crossover cable to hook up a router to switch. I ask because I have hooked up a router to a switch by just using a regular cat5e cable not a crossover type and it work fine. Also I hookup my modem with a regular cat5e cable to to the wan port of the router and thta works fine to.
I ask this because hopefully coming this fall I am goign to be taking the cisco networking cources at Del Mar college where I live.

[leprechaun_40]

I'm not an expert or anything, but the instructions with my linksys router and switch both say to use a regular cable. They don't even mention a cross-over. The only time I've ever used a cross-over cable was when I was on dial-up and connected 2 machines with a NIC to share internet connection.:t

[Midknyte]

you would use a crossover going from a regular switch port to another switch port. if you are using the "uplink", it is crossing the wires for you. Some switches will now autosense the cable/connection and cross it accordingly.

crossovers are for pc to pc or switch to switch (no uplink port).

[Tech^salvager]

Thanks for the info Midkynte and leprechaun

[Sun]

Why is everbody always saying to use a crossover cable to hook up a router to switch.

If you are going to take up cisco course then you will understand that what cisco teaches is basically to promote their devices.

routers are layer 3 devices and switches are layer 2 devices.

Both are dissimilar in function( router does routing of packets, switch just forwards frames) and hence you use a straight thru cable

Pc also does routing and hence this is the only exception when you use a crossover( when connecting to routers( cisco))

But those dlink,linksys,Netgear routers have all switched ethernet ports so basically you should be using straight through cables but usually not mentioned(from pc to rJ45 port).

So, theory wise:

PC(lan Card) to PC(Lan card) : crossover
Router to Router : Crossover
Switch to switch: Crossover
PC to Router(Cisco): Crossover

Lan Card to Switch: Straight
Switch to Router: Straight

phew...D

[Midknyte]

I figured he was talking about the SOHO type routers with built-in switches rather than a real Cisco. :p I kinda glossed over the line about school. ack..

[Tech^salvager]

I was first mentioning about what Midkynte was talking about, but thank you both. Now I am a have learner some information i made need later in life.

By the way Sun you wouldn't happen to use sun systems at all?

[Sun]

Originally posted by Midknyte
I figured he was talking about the SOHO type routers with built-in switches rather than a real Cisco. :p I kinda glossed over the line about school. ack..

but i am still in school, on the verge of giving my ccna exam also....:D

actually i always used to get confused cisco guys say PC to Router, you use a crossover cable, you know by function they are similar.

But when i actually had a look at some of the SOHO class non cisco routers, I knew why those dlinks,linksys and all used straight thru....having inbuilt switch.

Originally posted by Tech^salvager


By the way Sun you wouldn't happen to use sun systems at all?

hehe...no, I have very normal,98/2K dual boot.:D

Never touched Solaris....